how to grow stevia
for herbal tea

Looking for a natural sweetener for your herbal tea? Grow your own stevia!

Stevia in my Summer Tea Garden

It takes no effort at all to grow this herb, and the rewards are sweet. (Sorry, bad pun!)

best growing conditions for stevia

Stevia is a sub-tropical herb. So many first-time herbal tea gardeners wonder if they can grow it successfully in cooler climate zones.

The answer is: Yes.   

If your winters are cold, think of stevia as an annual. It won't survive freezing temperatures. So let it die back after your final harvest in the fall, and start with a new plant each spring. 

My stevia isn't happy after a few chilly New England autumn nights.

If your area rarely has frosts, you can grow stevia all year round. Don't be surprised if it slows down a bit in cooler weather. It'll perk right back up once the warmer weather returns.

how to plant stevia

starting from seeds

Is it possible to grow stevia from seeds? Yes. Do I recommend it? No.

I've tried growing stevia from seeds a few times. Never again.

Even under ideal conditions, stevia seeds are notorious for their low germination rate. Even healthy-looking seeds might not be viable.

That said, if you’re determined to try anyway, here’s the short version:

• Start seeds indoors 8–10 weeks before your last frost.
• Follow the directions on the seed packet. 
• Be patient. Maybe one seed in ten will sprout. If you're lucky.

For everyone else, skip the frustration. DIY Herbal Tea is all about doing things the easy way.

So pick up a strong, healthy stevia starter plant at your local garden center. Or order online from a reputable seller like The Growers Exchange.

Young stevia starter plant ready for transplanting.

starting with a nursery plant

Planting stevia follows the same steps as most other tea herbs.

1. Choose a sunny spot with loose, weed-free, well-draining soil or a container with drainage holes in the bottom. In very hot climates, pick a location that gives your stevia a little dappled afternoon shade.
   
   
2. Give your stevia at least 12 inches (30 cm) of growing space all to itself. In garden beds, plant it toward the back since it grows taller than most herbs.
   
   
3. Dig a hole in your garden bed or container that’s roughly as wide and deep as the plant's nursery pot.
   
   
4. Take the stevia out of its pot, keeping the soil around the roots intact, and gently loosen any circling roots. Stevia's roots are delicate, so handle them carefully.
   
   
5. Set the plant in place so the top of the old soil sits level with the surrounding surface, then backfill around the root ball.
   
   
6. Water thoroughly at the base so the soil settles around the roots.
   
   
7. Keep the soil evenly moist (not soggy) for the first week while your stevia acclimates to its new home.

Once your stevia is settled in, tending to it is simple. Here's what to know: 

how to care for stevia

Watering

Stevia likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil. Water whenever the top inch (2–3 cm) feels dry. In containers, that may mean every day in hot weather.

Feeding

Once your plant is established, feed container-grown stevia lightly every couple of weeks during the growing season with a diluted organic fertilizer. But don't over-feed. Too much nitrogen can make leaves bigger but less sweet.

In-ground plants usually don’t need feeding if they’re growing in healthy  garden soil.

Pruning

When your stevia reaches about 6 inches (15 cm) tall, trim each stem just above a leaf junction. Each snip encourages two new stems to form, making the plant bushier and more productive.

Use small snippers — not your fingers — so you don’t crush the stems.

Cut just above a leaf junction to encourage branching.

That's all there is to it. Now you're ready to grow stevia like a pro!

more about stevia ...

All About the Stevia Herb

Harvesting Your Stevia
(Coming Soon)

Drying & Storing Stevia
(Coming Soon)

Using Stevia Leaves for Tea
(Coming Soon)

Looking for more beginner-friendly tea herbs? My Easy to Grow Herbs guide highlights others that thrive with the same simple care.

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