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Stevia

Stevia rebaudiana

Use fresh, dried, powdered, or as a liquid to sweeten a variety of foods and beverages. Bushy, high-yielding plants. Perennial in Zones 9-11.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

10–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

12-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Start Indoors

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Stevia in USDA Zone 9

All Zone 9 herb →

Zone Map

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Stevia · Zones 10–11

What grows well in Zone 9? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-18 inches

SoilWell-draining, sandy loam with good organic content

pH6.7-7.2

WaterConsistent moisture, avoid waterlogged conditions

SeasonTender Perennial

FlavorIntensely sweet with slight licorice aftertaste, some varieties have bitter notes

ColorBright green serrated leaves with small white flowers

SizeSmall to medium leaves, 1-2 inches long

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
Zone 10	January – January	February – April	—	April – December
Zone 11	January – January	January – March	—	March – December

Succession Planting

Stevia is a true perennial only in zones 10-11; everywhere else it's treated as an annual that you start once and harvest until frost. There's no succession cadence to set up — the plant keeps pushing new growth from transplant through the end of the season, so one planting covers the gap. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost date to account for the slow 7-21 day germination window and the fragile early seedling stage. One planting is all you need.

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Stem Cutting.

Harvesting

The fruit is a indehiscent, dry achene that contains one seed.

Type: Achene.

Edibility: Leaves are highly edible and used as a sweetener. They can be eaten immediately after harvesting from the plant. They can be used to make teas or dried.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh stevia leaves stay potent for 2-3 days when stored in the refrigerator wrapped in damp paper towels inside a plastic bag. For longer storage, stevia leaves dry beautifully and actually concentrate in sweetness when properly preserved.

Air-dry whole stems by hanging them in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area for 12-24 hours until leaves crumble easily. Strip dried leaves from stems and store in airtight containers away from light—properly dried stevia retains sweetness for up to two years.

For powdered stevia, grind thoroughly dried leaves in a coffee grinder and sift through fine mesh to remove stems. The powder is 10-15 times more concentrated than fresh leaves. Freezing fresh leaves works well for tea use—freeze whole leaves on baking sheets, then store in freezer bags for up to 8 months.

History & Origin

Origin: Brazil to Paraguay

Advantages

+Edible: Leaves are highly edible and used as a sweetener. They can be eaten immediately after harvesting from the plant. They can be used to make teas or dried.

Companion Plants

Basil and oregano are the most practical neighbors for stevia — both share its preference for well-drained soil at pH 6.7-7.2 and won't compete aggressively for water. Marigolds pull weight by disrupting the aphids and whiteflies that target stevia's foliage; chives do similar work at a smaller footprint. Mint is the one to skip — not because of any chemical interaction, but because it spreads through underground runners and will physically crowd stevia's shallow roots within a single growing season, sometimes taking over a 12-inch radius in 8-10 weeks. Fennel is allelopathic and measurably suppresses growth in most neighboring herbs, stevia included.

Plant Together

Basil

Repels aphids and whiteflies that commonly attack stevia

Marigold

Deters nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Cilantro

Attracts beneficial predatory insects and provides ground cover

Chives

Natural pest deterrent that repels aphids and improves soil health

Oregano

Repels common garden pests and has similar growing requirements

Parsley

Attracts beneficial insects and provides companion harvesting opportunities

Nasturtium

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Thyme

Natural fungicide properties help prevent disease spread

Keep Apart

Mint

Aggressive spreader that can overwhelm stevia and compete for nutrients

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits stevia growth and development

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most companion plants including stevia

Nutrition Facts

Calories

23kcal(1%)

Protein

3.15g(6%)

Fiber

1.6g(6%)

Carbs

2.65g(1%)

Fat

0.64g(1%)

Vitamin C

18mg(20%)

Vitamin A

264mcg(29%)

Vitamin K

415mcg(346%)

Iron

3.17mg(18%)

Calcium

177mg(14%)

Potassium

295mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #172232)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Generally resistant, susceptible to root rot in wet conditions

Common Pests

Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites

Diseases

Root rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew

Troubleshooting Stevia

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Roots dark and mushy, lower stem collapsing at soil level — plant wilts even when soil is wet

Likely Causes

Root rot from Pythium or Phytophthora — triggered by waterlogged or poorly drained soil
Transplanting into cold, wet soil before temperatures have warmed (NC State Extension notes this exact pattern causes root problems in tender plants)

What to Do

1.Pull the plant — there's no saving a stevia with fully rotted roots
2.Work coarse perlite into the bed or raise the planting area 4-6 inches before replanting
3.Wait until soil temps are consistently above 60°F before transplanting; stevia's roots come from subtropical Paraguay and don't tolerate cold, saturated conditions

White powdery coating on upper leaf surfaces, usually appearing on older leaves first in late summer

Likely Causes

Powdery mildew — a fungal infection that spreads by airspores during warm days and cool nights
Spacing under 12 inches that blocks airflow between plants

What to Do

1.Remove and trash (don't compost) any heavily coated leaves
2.Spray affected plants with a diluted baking soda solution (1 tablespoon per gallon) or neem oil every 7-10 days
3.Give plants the full 12-18 inch spacing at transplant time — crowded stevia is the first to get hit

Tiny pale stippling across leaves, fine webbing on the undersides — plants look dull and washed out

Likely Causes

Two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) — populations explode fast in hot, dry weather above 85°F
Whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) cause similar stippling but leave sticky honeydew residue instead of webbing

What to Do

1.Blast the undersides of leaves with a firm stream of water in the morning so foliage dries before nightfall
2.Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to leaf undersides on a 5-7 day repeat until pressure drops
3.Keep soil consistently moist — drought-stressed stevia draws spider mites faster than a well-watered plant does

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does stevia take to grow from seed?▼

Stevia takes 90-120 days from seed to first harvest. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost, then transplant outdoors when soil reaches 60°F. You can begin harvesting leaves when plants reach 8 inches tall, with peak sweetness occurring just before flowering in late summer.

Can you grow stevia in pots?▼

Yes, stevia grows excellently in containers. Use pots at least 12 inches wide with drainage holes, as stevia cannot tolerate waterlogged soil. Container growing actually helps control moisture levels and allows you to move plants indoors in cold climates. Use well-draining potting mix and water only when soil surface feels dry.

What does fresh stevia taste like?▼

Fresh stevia leaves taste intensely sweet—up to 300 times sweeter than sugar—with a slight licorice or bitter aftertaste depending on the variety. Young leaves are sweetest with minimal bitterness, while older leaves and stems become more bitter. The sweetness is immediate but may leave a lingering aftertaste some find medicinal.

Is stevia easy to grow for beginners?▼

Stevia has moderate difficulty due to its sensitivity to overwatering and specific germination requirements. Beginners often struggle with the tiny seeds and watering balance. However, once established, plants are relatively low-maintenance. Start with transplants rather than seeds if you're new to gardening.

When should I harvest stevia leaves for maximum sweetness?▼

Harvest stevia in early morning after dew dries but before heat builds up, when sweet compounds are most concentrated. The sweetest harvest occurs just before flowering in late summer. Cut stems rather than individual leaves for best results, and never harvest more than one-third of the plant at once.

Can stevia survive winter outdoors?▼

Stevia survives winter outdoors only in zones 9-11 with protection from hard freezes. In colder climates, bring potted plants indoors before first frost or treat as an annual. Indoor overwintering requires bright light and careful watering—plants often go dormant and resume growth in spring.