Stevia Rebaudiana, also known as Candyleaf or Sweetleaf, is a tender perennial native to Paraguay. Stevia is most well-known for its sweet-tasting leaves, which are a natural substitute for sugar. Stevia Rebaudiana has an upright, shrubby habit of 18-24" tall and 16-18" wide with clusters of tiny white flowers that bloom in July-August. Grow Sweetleaf as a perennial in zone 9-11; in cold climates, overwinter a container indoors or grow this plant as an annual. Grow Stevia for culinary use in herb gardens, indoor containers, raised beds, or patio containers. It is also a pleasing addition to landscape borders.
This Variety Also Available as Non-Organic
Stevia Rebaudiana Selling Tips
Sell Stevia Rebaudiana to customers looking for an organic sugar substitute to grow in an herb garden. Stevia offers many benefits to your customer. It flourishes in full sun with regular water and is a tender perennial, hardy zone 9-11. With an upright habit of 18-24", Stevia is suitable for containers or herb gardens. Pair it with Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme for a fine selection of organic herbs and a garden that delights the senses. In landscape beds, pair herbs with roses and Echinacea for a cottage garden aesthetic.
Coach Your Customer
1. Space plants 14-16 inches apart in well-drained soil in full sun. Water regularly, not allowing the soil to become overly moist.
2. To grow for culinary use, snip buds as they appear. Foliage offers superior flavor before flowering.
3. In zone 9-11, grow this plant as a perennial. In colder climates, replace the plant each year or grow it in a container to overwinter indoors. It can also succeed as a houseplant in a location with full sun.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Stevia Rebaudiana, use well-drained soil in full sun with low feed (100-150 ppm N) and a pH of 5.8-6.2. Plant one rooted liner per 4-inch container. You may see aphids, slugs, thrips, and whiteflies. Stevia isn't prone to disease, but take precautions against root rot and botrytis.
Flowering
Clusters of tiny white flowers bloom in July and August, but Stevia is primarily grown for its foliage.
Pinching
This plant doesn't require pinching.
Spacing
Space 4-inch containers as needed to allow airflow and penetration of light between plants. Stevia Rebaudiana can grow to a 18" spread. We do not recommend planting rooted plugs in 1801 or other traditional market trays as they tend to get leggy and can develop fungus when they have insufficient space.
Height Control
We don't recommend using chemical growth regulators on herbs or organic plants.
Pests
You may see aphids, slugs, thrips, and whiteflies.
Disease
Stevia Rebaudiana isn't disease prone but avoid oversaturating the soil. If the plant sits in moist soil at length, you could end up with root rot or botrytis. Botrytis grey rot tends to occur in wet or humid conditions. Take these steps to prevent botrytis: water in the morning and allow the plant to dry out between waterings; provide good airflow in your greenhouse; space plants so the sun can penetrate to the soil level. To best fight root rot in herbs, use an organic or garden-safe fungicide, like Neem Oil.
Planting Stevia Rebaudiana Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4-inch container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot in the center of the pot.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Organic Herbs Stevia Rebaudiana Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 6 Weeks |
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| Bloom Period | Summer |
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| Color | White |
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| Habit | Upright |
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| Height | 18-24 inches |
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| Light | Full Sun |
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| Minimum Temp | 54 |
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| Perennial Zone | Zones 9-11 |
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| Water Needs | Moderate |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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