2 Stevia Live Plants for Planting, 4-8″ Tall, Well Rooted Herb, Indoor/Outdoor

Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own natural, calorie-free sweetener with this exceptional offer of two stevia live plant specimens. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a remarkable herb renowned for its intensely sweet leaves, making it a perfect sugar substitute for health-conscious individuals and culinary enthusiasts alike. These young, vibrant plants, each standing approximately 4-8 inches tall, are well-rooted and perfectly prepared for immediate planting. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, our stevia live plant provides an easy and rewarding way to integrate fresh, natural sweetness into your daily life. This perennial herb, native to South America, thrives in warm climates and can be grown as an annual in cooler regions or successfully overwintered indoors, offering versatility for various growing environments.

Growing your own stevia herb plant ensures a fresh supply of sweet leaves, free from synthetic additives. The plant is relatively low-maintenance, producing abundant foliage throughout the growing season. Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening on patios, balconies, or even indoors, allowing everyone to enjoy its benefits. With proper care, these plants will flourish, providing you with a continuous source of natural sweetness for beverages, desserts, and more. Embrace sustainable living and enhance your culinary creations with the goodness of homegrown stevia.

Key Benefits

Cultivating your own stevia offers a multitude of advantages, from its health benefits to its ease of growth. Here are some compelling reasons to add this wonderful herb to your garden:

• Natural Sweetener Source: Enjoy a continuous supply of fresh, natural, calorie-free sweetener directly from your garden. Stevia leaves are significantly sweeter than sugar, making them an excellent healthy alternative for drinks and food.
• Health-Conscious Choice: Stevia has a glycemic index of zero, making it suitable for diabetics and those managing blood sugar levels. It’s a healthy way to add sweetness without the negative effects of sugar.
• Versatile Culinary Use: Fresh stevia leaves can be used directly in teas, coffees, smoothies, and desserts. You can also dry and powder the leaves to create your own homemade stevia extract for year-round use.
• Easy to Grow: These stevia live plant specimens are known for being relatively low-maintenance. They require minimal fuss once established, making them ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to grow stevia plant.
• Indoor and Outdoor Adaptability: Perfect for containers or garden beds, stevia can be grown outdoors in warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11) or brought indoors during cooler months, ensuring a consistent supply.
• Abundant Yield: With proper care, each stevia herb plant will produce a generous amount of sweet leaves throughout the growing season, providing ample harvest for your needs.
• Sustainable & Rewarding: Growing your own herbs is a rewarding experience that promotes self-sufficiency and a connection to nature.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your stevia live plant thrives and provides you with an abundance of sweet leaves, follow these essential care guidelines. Stevia prefers a location with ample sunlight. While it can tolerate some partial shade, especially in hotter climates, for optimal growth and sweetness, aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place your plants near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights to mimic natural sun exposure. Adequate light is crucial for developing the characteristic sweetness of the leaves. The ideal temperature range for stevia is between 60-80°F (15-27°C). It is sensitive to frost, so in regions with cold winters, it’s best to grow stevia as an annual or bring potted plants indoors before the first frost.

Watering is key to a healthy stevia herb plant. Stevia prefers consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, which can be a common issue if the soil remains too wet. For soil, a well-draining, fertile potting mix is ideal. If planting in the garden, amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. Stevia is a warm climate perennial, suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9–11. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual or overwintered indoors. Fertilize your stevia plants sparingly, as too much nitrogen can reduce the sweetness of the leaves. A balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season is usually sufficient. Regular harvesting of the leaves will also encourage bushier growth and more foliage production. Learning how to grow stevia plant successfully will yield delicious results.

Pest and disease issues are generally minimal for stevia. Keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids or spider mites, especially if growing indoors. Treat any infestations with organic insecticidal soap. Proper air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help prevent fungal diseases. Pruning is beneficial to maintain plant shape and encourage new growth. Pinch back the growing tips to promote branching and a fuller plant. This also helps to maximize your harvest of the sweet leaves. Understanding stevia plant care is straightforward and ensures a bountiful harvest.

Size & Details

This offering includes two robust stevia live plant specimens, each carefully nurtured to reach a height of approximately 4-8 inches upon arrival. These plants are well-rooted and ready for transplanting into your preferred container or garden bed. Stevia plants typically mature to a height of 18-24 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches, forming a compact and bushy herb that is perfect for various garden settings. They are shipped in a manner that protects their delicate roots and foliage, ensuring they arrive in optimal condition for planting.

When you grow stevia plant, you can expect a relatively fast growth rate during the warm months, providing a continuous supply of fresh leaves. These plants are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9-11 as perennials, meaning they can live for several years in these climates. In zones outside this range, they are best grown as annuals or overwintered indoors. Each plant is a healthy, established seedling, providing a strong foundation for a productive season of natural sweetness. This makes it easy to begin enjoying the benefits of a fresh stevia herb plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Each stevia live plant typically grows to a mature height of 18-24 inches and a spread of 12-18 inches. They maintain a bushy, compact form, making them suitable for various garden spaces or containers.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The plants are shipped well-rooted, ready for transplanting. While the exact pot size for shipping may vary, they are typically in small nursery pots or similar packaging to protect the roots during transit, requiring immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Stevia can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in warm climates (USDA Zones 9-11) as a perennial. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors for the winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal growth and sweetness, your stevia herb plant requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it in a bright, south-facing window or under grow lights.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, stevia is relatively easy to care for. It requires consistent watering, well-draining soil, and adequate sunlight. It’s a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners looking to grow stevia plant.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plants will arrive well-rooted and approximately 4-8 inches tall, carefully packaged to ensure they are healthy and ready for planting. We take great care in preparing them for shipment.
• Q: Can I use fresh stevia leaves in cooking? A: Absolutely! Fresh stevia leaves can be used directly in teas, coffees, smoothies, and various culinary applications as a natural sweetener. You can also dry them to make your own powdered stevia.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: The best time to plant your stevia outdoors is after the last frost in spring, when soil temperatures have warmed. If growing indoors, you can plant it at any time of the year.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: If you are in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, your stevia live plant can survive winter outdoors as a perennial. In colder zones, you will need to grow it as an annual or overwinter it indoors.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: Stevia is sensitive to frost and cold temperatures. It generally prefers temperatures above 50°F (10°C) and will not tolerate freezing conditions.