Stevia Rebaudiana Live Plant – 1″ Plug Starter – Edible Sweetener Herb

Overview

Introducing the Stevia Rebaudiana live plant, your gateway to cultivating a natural, zero-calorie sweetener right in your own garden. This tender perennial, widely known as Candyleaf herb or edible sweetleaf herb, is celebrated for its intensely sweet leaves, offering a healthy alternative to refined sugar. Our well-rooted 1" plug starter plant arrives prepared for immediate transplanting, making it easy to begin your journey toward sustainable living and reducing reliance on processed sugars. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, growing your own grow Stevia plant provides a rewarding experience and a fresh supply of nature’s sweetness.

The Stevia Rebaudiana live plant is a versatile addition to any home, suitable for herb gardens, indoor containers, or raised beds. Its upright, shrubby habit and delicate white flowers contribute to its aesthetic appeal, making it a beautiful and functional plant. Embrace the joy of harvesting your own natural sweetener and discover the many culinary uses for fresh Stevia leaves.

Key Benefits

Growing your own Stevia Rebaudiana live plant offers a multitude of advantages, from health benefits to enhancing your garden’s biodiversity. This remarkable herb is more than just a sweetener; it’s a sustainable choice for mindful living, providing a healthy and delicious alternative to processed sugars. This natural sweetener plant is a must-have for any health-conscious gardener.

• Natural, Zero-Calorie Sweetener: Enjoy the pure, intense sweetness of Stevia leaves without the calories or artificial additives. Perfect for sweetening beverages, desserts, and various culinary creations, providing a healthier alternative to sugar.
• Versatile Garden Addition: The Stevia Rebaudiana live plant thrives in diverse settings, making it ideal for herb gardens, patio containers, raised beds, or even as an attractive border plant in your landscape. Its adaptability ensures it can find a home in almost any gardening setup.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond its utility, this plant adds beauty with its lush, shrubby habit and charming clusters of tiny white blossoms that emerge during the summer months (July-August). It can be a vibrant accent in your culinary herb collection.
• Easy to Grow: With minimal effort, this natural sweetener plant flourishes in full sun and requires only consistent, regular watering to thrive. Its resilient nature makes it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned enthusiasts.
• Safe & Edible: Considered non-toxic and safe for both children and household pets, the edible sweetleaf herb provides a worry-free addition to any home environment. You can confidently enjoy its sweetness knowing it’s safe for your loved ones.
• Sustainable Living: By choosing to grow Stevia plant, you contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing your reliance on commercially processed sweeteners and fostering a deeper connection with your food source.
• Companion Planting Benefits: Stevia can be paired with other herbs like Oregano, Rosemary, and Thyme, creating a sensory and aromatic garden experience that benefits all plants involved.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Stevia Rebaudiana live plant is straightforward, ensuring a bountiful harvest of sweet leaves. This tender perennial thrives with consistent attention to its basic needs, allowing you to enjoy its natural sweetness for seasons to come. For outdoor landscape use, we recommend establishing your 1" plug in a 3-4 inch pot before transferring it to its permanent location, giving it a stronger start.

The Stevia plant care routine primarily revolves around sunlight and watering. Stevia thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and optimal sweetness. In terms of watering, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot, so a well-draining potting mix or garden soil is recommended. In USDA Zones 9-11, this Candyleaf herb thrives as a perennial, returning year after year. In colder climates, it can be easily overwintered indoors in a bright, sunny window or under grow lights, or cultivated as a productive annual.

Fertilization can be done monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer, though it’s not a heavy feeder. Watch for common pests like aphids, which can be managed with organic insecticidal soap. Pinching back the tips of your Stevia Rebaudiana live plant will encourage bushier growth and more leaves, maximizing your harvest of this wonderful natural sweetener plant. With these simple tips, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying fresh Stevia from your garden.

Size & Details

This offering is for a Stevia Rebaudiana live plant provided as a 1" plug, a well-rooted starter plant ready for transplanting. Upon maturity, your grow Stevia plant will typically reach an upright, shrubby habit, growing approximately 18-24 inches in height and 16-18 inches in width. The growth rate is moderate, and with proper care, you can expect white flowers to emerge in July-August. These plants are shipped prepared for immediate transplanting into a larger pot or directly into your garden, depending on your climate and preference. Establishing them in a larger pot first is recommended for outdoor planting to ensure a strong root system development.

The edible sweetleaf herb is a tender perennial in warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11) and can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors in colder regions. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for container gardening on patios, balconies, or windowsills, providing easy access to its sweet leaves. You’ll find that the leaves become sweeter as the plant matures and receives adequate sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How large will my Stevia Rebaudiana live plant grow? A: Expect your Stevia Rebaudiana live plant to reach a mature size of approximately 18-24 inches tall and 16-18 inches wide, forming an attractive shrubby habit.
• Q: What kind of sunlight does the natural sweetener plant require? A: This plant thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for robust growth and optimal sweetness in its leaves.
• Q: How often should I water my grow Stevia plant? A: Water regularly, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but never waterlogged. Good drainage is key to preventing root issues.
• Q: Is edible sweetleaf herb safe for my pets and children? A: Yes, Stevia is widely considered non-toxic and safe for both children and household pets, making it a worry-free addition to your home. This edible sweetleaf herb is a great choice for families.
• Q: Can I grow this Stevia plant indoors? A: Absolutely! Stevia can be successfully grown indoors in a bright, sunny window or under appropriate grow lights, especially in colder climates. It makes an excellent indoor Candyleaf herb.
• Q: What condition will the 1" plug arrive in? A: Your Stevia Rebaudiana live plant will arrive as a well-rooted 1" plug, carefully packaged and prepared for immediate transplanting into a larger pot or your garden.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Stevia? A: The best time to plant Stevia is after the last frost in spring, once soil temperatures have warmed. It can be planted year-round indoors.
• Q: What USDA zones is Stevia perennial in? A: Stevia thrives as a perennial in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
• Q: Can I harvest leaves immediately from my new Stevia Rebaudiana live plant? A: While you can harvest a few leaves, it’s best to allow the plant to establish itself for a few weeks after transplanting to encourage stronger growth before significant harvesting.
• Q: What is the best soil for growing Stevia? A: Stevia prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix works well for containers, and amended garden soil for in-ground planting.