Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

A short, shrubby annual generally growing to 12-18".

Hardiness

Not frost hardy, but can be grown anywhere as an annual.

Growing Environment

Grow similar to basil and other annual herbs. Grow in full sun. Water regularly and plant in well-drained soil. Stevia is adapted well to container culture.

Propagation

By seeds.

Uses

The leaves contain a natural sweetener similar to sugar. While they can be eaten fresh and added to foods directly to impart sweetness, stevia has come under much recent investigation for commercial use. Owing to complex governmental regulations, the isolated sweetener from stevia leaves is still quite limited in use in the United States and Europe. In Japan and parts of the Americas however, stevia products account for a reasonable percentage of the sweetener market.

Native Range

Native to South America. Stevia has been used by indigenous populations for many years.

Related Species

Asteraceae
	Arctium lappa Greater Burdock		Bartlettina sordida Purple Torch
	Chrysanthemum coronarium Garland Chrysanthemum		Emilia javanica Tassel Flower
	Stevia rebaudiana Stevia