Stevia, Genus, spp., Multiple species,
- Genus
- Multiple species
Warm temperate and tropical Americas
Overview
Stevia is a genus of about 200 species in the daisy family (Asteraceae), made up of perennials and small subshrubs native to the warm temperate and tropical Americas, from the southern United States through Mexico to South America. Plants are upright and branching, mostly 1-3 ft (0.3-0.9 m) tall, with paired or alternate, often toothed leaves and woody-based stems in the shrubbier species. Small flower heads, each holding about five white to pale pink florets, are gathered into broad, flat-topped clusters at the stem tips from late summer into autumn. The genus includes the sweetleaf (S. rebaudiana), whose leaves contain steviol glycosides many times sweeter than sugar and are grown and processed as a sweetener. Most species grow on open slopes, grassland, and scrub in well-drained ground. They are generally frost-tender, dying back or dying out where winters are cold. Several species are weedy in disturbed ground within their native range.
Native Range
Native to the warm temperate and tropical Americas, from the southwestern United States and Mexico through Central America to South America, with many species in Mexico and the Andes. The sweetleaf S. rebaudiana comes from the highlands of Paraguay and Brazil.Suggested Uses
The sweetleaf (S. rebaudiana) is grown in herb gardens, containers, and greenhouses for its sweet leaves, used fresh or dried as a sugar substitute. Other species are grown in warm-climate borders and naturalistic plantings for their late white flowers. In cold regions the tender species are kept as container plants moved under cover for winter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White to pale pinkFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun in light, well-drained, moderately fertile soil with steady but not heavy moisture through the growing season. Most species are frost-tender and grown as annuals or lifted over winter where frost is hard; the sweetleaf is hardy only in USDA zones 9-11. Soggy soil rots the roots, while very dry soil checks growth and triggers early flowering. The sweetleaf is harvested for its leaves before flowering, when their sweetness is highest. Plants are pinched while young to build bushy, leafy growth. In cold areas they are raised fresh from seed or cuttings each year.Pruning
Stems are pinched or trimmed while young to build bushy, leafy plants, especially on the sweetleaf grown for its leaves. Flowering shoots are cut back to prolong leaf production, since sweetness drops once the plants bloom. Frost-killed top growth is cleared in cold climates as the plants die down.Container Growing
Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons
