Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
|
|
Soil
Any average, well drained soil.
|
Position
Full sun to partial afternoon shade.
|
Frost tolerant
Stevia is a tender perennial grown as a vegetatively propagated annual. Parent plants brought through winter indoors provide rootable stems in spring.
|
Feeding
Not generally needed. If needed, a water soluble fertilizer can be provided in midsummer to invigorate plants.
|
Companions
Stevia is an upright plant which goes with mound-forming herbs.
|
Spacing
Single Plants: 1' 1" (35cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 11" (30cm) with 1' 3" (40cm) row gap (minimum)
|
Sow and Plant
Start with a purchased plant, because stevia seeds are very reluctant to sprout. Plants are grown from rooted cuttings taken from greenhouse-grown plants.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
|
Notes
Frequent pinching back helps to keep plants bushy and full, and it delays flowering.
|
Harvesting
Gather sprigs as needed in the kitchen. Gather stems for drying in midsummer, just before the plants bloom.
|
Troubleshooting
Stevia thrives in warm weather, and may grow slowly under very cool conditions.
|