How to Grow Your Own Stevia
What is Stevia?
Stevia is a perennial herb that has been grown in South America for years for it's ability to sweeten just like sugar. It can be consumed without raising blood glucose levels and has zero calories. It is often referred to as sweetleaf, because the leaves of the plant are used in sweetening, but the branches can also be ground. Stevia makes a good sugar substitute for both diabetics and those that would like to lose weight.
In Japan it is even used in their Coca-Cola products. Japan outlawed the use of other sugar substitutes, because the chemicals in them were considered dangerous. Since it is an herb, it is safer to use than the chemical sweeteners the US is now using to sweeten foods. The US has been slow in approving stevia as a food additive, but it has been available for awhile as an herbal supplement. Since the time I first wrote this hub, I've heard that they are in the process of approving it.
The best news is that stevia may lower blood sugar and blood pressure. This means diabetics can use a sweetener that is actually good for them. I recommend trying stevia before you try growing it. It can be purchased in most grocery stores in packets, as a liquid, and even a 5 pound bag like sugar. Online it can be found in several flavors including orange, vanilla, and chocolate. The flavors don't need to be used, because stevia is good on its own, but I've heard they taste good.
My best advice for using this sweetener is "easy does it." I use only 1/4 tsp of the ground stevia for my morning tea. The bag we purchased is suppose is equal cup for cup to sugar. Most stevia can be much sweeter than sugar, as much as 300 times sweeter. I find it tastes good in low doses. You'll need to adjust recipes.
Some people claim that it leaves a bitter taste in their mouths. I have found it to taste quite pleasing. I think the difference might be how much stevia you add. Like I said, "easy does it."
It tastes better as a substitute for sugar with drinks and cereals. My daughter-in-law tried making candy with it and it tasted terrible. We haven't tried baking.
Purchasing Stevia Plants and Seeds
After reading about stevia and hearing that I could grow it in my Zone 5 garden as an annual, I went online to search for the seeds. My quest found that the seeds need to be started early indoors in my area and they are hard to germinate, I read a review from a beginner gardener that was able to do it, so it is possible. Plants are suggested for a good start. Most plants online are offered at around $5.00 each and that sounded a bit pricey to me.
When I visited the greenhouse to puchase tomato plants, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw stevia plants for $2.99 each. I only purchased 1 and thought I'd give it a try.
The leaves can be picked fresh and added to hot beverages, but the plant's is at it's strongest right before the flowers bloom. I asked on a gardening group if anyone had tried growing stevia and I was disappointed with the answer that one plant would only yield about 1/4 of a baby food jar of the crushed and dried plant. I would have leaves to sweeten my drinks for the summer, but I wouldn't have much for the winter.
It was fun picking a fresh leaf and using it every morning. I still recommend growing the plant.
How To Plant Stevia
Stevia shouldn't be placed outside until all danger of frost has passed. Many recommend planting stevia in containers, because the plant has shallow roots and needs to be kept watered. At the same time the plant doesn't like to be too wet. Placing it on a sunny patio would help remind you to keep it watered.
It can be grown in the garden and does well in raised beds too. Place the plants 8" apart after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up. The plants like to be grown in sandy soil for good drainage and like a neutral PH. In northern states the plant should be grown in full sun, but in the south they need a little shade in the hotter months.
Because the roots of this plant are shallow, you should mulch around them to keep moisture in. If you aren't getting enough rain, be sure to keep them watered. Never overwater. Using a drip or soaker hose is best. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer or use composted soil from your compost pile. A bag of composted cow manure from a discount store would work fine too. Adding Boron to the soil will help the stevioside content to be higher and this will make the leaves grow even sweeter.
Harvesting
In the summer months, you can harvest the leaves for immediate use, but always be sure to leave the inner branches alone so the plant continues to grow. Harvesting should only be done lightly leaving leaves so the plants can keep growing.
For fall harvest, wait until buds form on the plant. Pick before the plant flowers, because this is the time stevia will be at it's strongest sweetness. Harvest the entire plant at once. Stevia is in the Aster family, so this will be about September or October.
The stevia will need to be dried or made into a liquid to preserve it. Dry the stevia and finally grind the leaves. You want a very fine powder. The food processor or coffee grinder will work. If the stevia still isn't fine enough, use a fine screen and work it through.
Prepared this way, it will work well for sweetening drinks. There are many recipes online to use. Just search for stevia recipes. Use only 2 to 3 tsp of the herb to 1 cup of sugar.
If you would like to make the stevia into a liquid you will need to use powdered stevia. Use the link below. There are different processes recommended. I just use the powdered stevia. Some people may find the liquid works better for them.
Safety and Benefits of Stevia, RaySahelianMD, Youtube
Starting New Plants
Stevia is a perennial in South America. When your plant is finished outdoors and a frost is on the way, you can repot the plant. It may at this point look dead, but the roots are still alive and thriving. Bring it in the house and keep watered in the same way the rain would outdoors. The plant will turn green again. Remember that it likes lots of sunlight. The plant may even go into another dormancy stage and turn brown again. Don't give up on it.
Another method to start new plants is to take tiny starts from the branches and place in pots. Keep these watered until they root and keep under grow lights for the winter.
You may even want to save your own seeds, but this isn't recommended. The seeds will only have a 10% germination rate which is poor. The plants grown from these seeds will also produce plants with variable sweetness.
Now Sit Back and Enjoy
If you haven't tried this sweetener, now is the time to do so. It may even help prevent tooth decay. If you enjoy it, purchase a few plants at the local greenhouse or purchase them online. Several gardening sites offer them.