Candy, Stevia Seed

Candy Stevia Seed

Exceptionally sweet leaves offer a homegrown sugar alternative
Fresh or dried foliage works in countless recipes
Each plant can yield substantial sweetening leaves
Surface sow because stevia seed needs light germination

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Stevia rebaudiana

Days to maturity

115 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

20 Seeds

Zones 9–11 Check your growing zone

About Candy, Stevia Seed, Stevia Seed

The Candy Stevia is a delicious natural sugar-free sweetener as its small leaves are 30 times sweeter than regular sugar. Once dried, each Candy plant can yield up to 1/2 pound of sweet leaves. Harvest this Stevia for fresh use or dried and grounded into powder. Stevia by nature has low germination rates. 60% is normal. Place directly on grow medium and lightly water. Needs light to germinate.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

7–21 days

In-row plant spacing

20"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 9-11

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

88,450

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Before planting Stevia, select a full-sun to lightly shaded site with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moderate moisture. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine, weed-free surface for the usually small seed. Plan convenient irrigation, and use containers or barriers before planting if stevia may spread aggressively.

Planting

Sow stevia indoors several weeks before the last frost or direct sow when the crop’s preferred soil temperature is reached. Maintain even surface moisture through germination, especially for fine or slow seed. Give indoor seedlings strong light, harden them before transplanting, and thin direct-sown plants after true leaves appear. Repeat sowings where young leaves are harvested continuously.

Watering

Maintain steady root-zone moisture around stevia, especially during active leaf growth. Water before plants wilt, but avoid standing water and overhead irrigation late in the day.

Fertilizer

Apply light, regular nutrition to stevia during vigorous growth, especially in containers. Keep nitrogen moderate and stop feeding when plants become dormant or growth slows.

Harvesting

Stevia may be cut repeatedly once vigorous growth begins. Use clean shears, harvest before flowers fully open for best leaf quality, and collect seed heads only after they turn dry.

Tips

Keep stevia compact by harvesting or pinching often. Container plants may need occasional repotting, while tender perennials can be moved indoors before frost for continued growth.

Pests & Diseases

Stevia can develop Septoria leaf spot, powdery mildew, Sclerotinia stem rot, and root rot. Keep foliage dry and avoid crowded, humid production. Remove spotted leaves from the harvest. Plants that wilt above bleached stems or cottony growth should be discarded, along with nearby infected debris.

Stevia may attract aphids, spider mites, caterpillars, slugs, or beetles. Inspect before harvest, use physical removal first, and avoid persistent broad-spectrum products on foliage intended for use.