A Beginners Guide to Growing Stevia

Sweet stevia, scientifically known as stevia rebaudiana, belongs to the Asteraceae family and is widespread in temperate climates. An interesting fact about stevia is that it is roughly 300 times sweeter than sugar. 

Moreover, stevia has no calories, does not affect blood sugar levels, and is a plant rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, this plant is a much healthier sugar substitute. 

Growing Conditions

Stevia is a native plant to Brazil and Paraguay; therefore, it likes to grow in warmer climates. Additionally, the deep roots help the plant fight against drought during the hotter seasons. However, stevia plants do not tolerate prolonged drought or excessive moisture. This plant prefers deep, humus-rich, sandy-clay, and well-structured soils.

Stevia Culture

Stevia is a great investment for your health and your wallet. This perennial plant can provide crops for up to five years and can be replanted after each harvest without damaging the land. By planting stevia, you can enjoy the benefits of its sweet taste and reap the rewards of its longevity.

Planting Stevia in Your Home Garden

If you are planning to grow stevia in your home garden, it is important to make sure the soil is free from contamination. Additionally, select soil with moderate texture, as heavy-compacted (clay) or cold soil is not suitable for growing stevia. If contamination or weeds are present, they can be removed with specific herbicides. 

Stevia Plants and Seed Recommendations

Garden Preparation 

To ensure a successful harvest of stevia, these five steps should be followed when preparing the garden for planting:

1. Level the ground.
2. Fertilize during autumn with semi-fermented manure or a complex fertilizer such as NPK 20-20-20.
3. Till your land around 11-13 inches deep to provide enough space for the stevia roots to spread.
4. Break up the soil to attain a finer grain.
5. Shape the soil in 37-inch-wide layers during autumn or spring. Shaping the soil involves either raking or tilling the soil to create flat, even surfaces. This helps to create a more even landscape for the stevia plants to grow in and ensures that the soil is not too dense or too loose for the plant roots to spread out.

How to Plant Stevia

You can grow stevia from root cuttings, or you can grow it from seed. The ideal sowing time is between February and March. Planting root cuttings in raised beds is standard practice.

The optimum dimensions for the raised beds are 4- 6 inches high and at least 20 inches in width. The prime spacing between each row is 12 to 18 inches, and 12 inches for spacing between plants.

Maintenance Work

Stevia plants require more maintenance than other food plants due to their high harvesting rate. Here are the three most important things to keep in mind when caring for stevia plants:

Weeding

Weeds heavily affect stevia plants in the initial growth stages, usually appearing after the first 15-30 days of planting. Therefore, staying on top of the weeding for your plant’s health is crucial. 

Most commonly, weeding is done by hand. Pulling out weeds and their roots by hand is a simple and effective method to take care of your plants. Another simple way to keep the weeds in check is to use mulch or plastic sheets, which prevent weeds from photosynthesizing. Alternatively, using a hoe or weed whacker to cut back weeds after every harvest will slow down their growth. 

Watering

Stevia plants should be watered frequently, but not too much. Watering should be done every 2-3 days to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering. You should also adjust the amount of water depending on the weather conditions, as stevia plants require less water during cooler, wetter months and more water during dry, hot months.

Fertilizing

Stevia plants require good, balanced nutrition. They are higher-yield sweet plants and need enough nutrition to form sugary compounds in their leaves. While the primary plant food is from the soil itself, stevia is a plant that responds well to outside sources.

Therefore, high-quality fertilizer can significantly improve the final yield and ensure your stevia receives the proper nutrition.

Harvesting Stevia 

You can collect your first stevia harvest within the first four months of planting the seeds or cuttings. After this, you can harvest every 40-60 days, guaranteeing a complete harvest every three months. 

The quality and quantity of the sweet compounds are highest in the mornings and during the newborn stage. After flowering, the amount of glycoside decreases.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on Growing Stevia

Stevia has the potential to be a real game-changer when it comes to tackling sugar addiction. Studies and investigations have shown that this plant can provide many health benefits, with its minimal calorie count, high nutritional value, and low sugar levels. However, it is important to remember that moderation is key when it comes to consuming stevia and any other food.