Stevia is a naturally sweet herb that serves as a fantastic sugar substitute. With its calorie-free sweetness and easy-growing nature, stevia is an excellent addition to any herb garden. Whether you’re growing it in containers, raised beds, or garden plots, here’s everything you need to know about cultivating and using stevia.
Planting & Growing Stevia 🌱
Stevia is a warm-weather herb that thrives in sunny conditions. Follow these tips to grow a healthy and productive stevia plant.
Care Instructions:
🌞 Sunlight: Stevia requires at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily for optimal growth.
🌱 Soil: Well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.5) is ideal. Adding compost will help improve soil fertility.
💧 Watering: Water consistently but avoid overwatering. Stevia prefers moist but not soggy soil.
🌿 Fertilizing: Use a balanced organic fertilizer once a month to encourage strong growth and abundant leaves.
✂️ Pruning & Harvesting: Regularly trim back stems to encourage bushy growth. Harvest leaves before the plant flowers for the sweetest flavor.
Ways to Use Stevia in Your Kitchen 🍵
Stevia leaves can be used fresh, dried, or processed into homemade sweeteners. Here are some simple ways to incorporate stevia into your diet:
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Fresh Leaves in Tea – Add a few fresh stevia leaves to your tea for a natural sweetness.
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Dried Stevia Powder – Dry the leaves and grind them into a fine powder for a homemade sugar substitute.
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Stevia Extract – Steep dried stevia leaves in warm water for a few hours to create a natural liquid sweetener.
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Baking Substitute – Use stevia in place of sugar in recipes, adjusting for sweetness intensity.
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Smoothies & Juices – Blend in fresh or dried stevia leaves to sweeten drinks without extra calories.
Final Thoughts on Growing & Using Stevia 🌿
Stevia is an easy-to-grow herb that provides a healthy, natural alternative to sugar. With minimal care, you can enjoy fresh, homegrown sweetness right from your garden.
Get your stevia plants from Mollypop Farms today and start growing your own natural sweetener!
