Photo: "starr-120613-9646-Stevia_rebaudiana-leaves-Walmart_Nursery_Kahului-Maui" by Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 2.0

Herb · Tender-perennial

Stevia

Asteraceae

Natural sweetener — leaves contain steviol glycosides, 30-40× sweeter than sugar with zero calories. True perennial only zones 10-11. Roots may survive zones 8-9 with protection. Zones 4a-7b treat as annual. Tender plant with weak, floppy stems. Small white flowers mid-summer. Dried leaves are sweeter than fresh. Cool autumn temperatures intensify sweetness. Harvest entire plant just before first frost — leaves are sweetest then.

At a Glance

Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Sun

6+ hours

Full sun, tolerates partial shade

Spacing

12–18 "

Container

Yes

2+ gallon pot

Height

1–2 ft

Zone Planting Guide

Your USDA Zone:

Growing Guide

Germination

Germination Time 7–21 days

Optimal Temp 75°F

Watering

Weekly Water 1–1.5 "

Needs Moderate

Soil

pH Range 6.7–7.2

Soil Type Sandy, well-drained, organically rich

Resilience

Heat: Moderate Cold: Very-low Drought: Low

Nutrition

Feeding Intensity Moderate feeder

Harvest

Mature leaves. Best sweetness just before flowering. Cool autumn temps intensify sweetness.

Sources

university NC State Extension — Stevia university UF/IFAS — Stevia horticultural Bonnie Plants — Stevia

More Herbs

Stevia Planting Dates by Zone

Planting dates for Stevia vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.

Zone 5A Zone 5B Zone 6A Zone 6B Zone 7A Zone 7B Zone 8A Zone 8B Zone 9A Zone 9B

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