Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own natural sweetness with our premium stevia rebaudiana seeds. Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a remarkable herb native to Paraguay, renowned for its intensely sweet leaves, which are a fantastic, calorie-free alternative to sugar. These seeds allow you to cultivate this beneficial plant from scratch, bringing a healthy and sustainable sweetening option right to your garden or windowsill. Often referred to as the ‘sweet herb,’ stevia is increasingly popular among health-conscious individuals and those looking to reduce their sugar intake. Growing your own ensures a fresh, organic supply of this valuable plant.

Our stevia rebaudiana seeds are carefully selected for viability, providing you with the best chance for successful germination and growth. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, these seeds offer an exciting opportunity to explore the world of natural sweeteners. Imagine plucking a fresh leaf from your own plant and using it to sweeten your tea, coffee, or favorite recipes. This plant is not only functional but also adds an attractive green foliage to any herb garden or kitchen. Get started on your journey to a healthier lifestyle with these exceptional stevia rebaudiana seeds.

Key Benefits

Cultivating stevia rebaudiana seeds offers a multitude of advantages, making it a valuable addition to any home garden:

• Natural Sweetener: Stevia leaves provide a potent, calorie-free sweetness, making them an ideal organic sugar substitute for those managing blood sugar levels or weight.
• Health-Conscious Choice: By growing your own, you ensure a pure, chemical-free source of natural sweetness, avoiding artificial additives found in many commercial sweeteners.
• Easy to Grow: While requiring some patience for germination, stevia plants are relatively low-maintenance once established, thriving in suitable conditions. This makes learning how to grow stevia a rewarding experience.
• Versatile Use: Fresh or dried stevia leaves can be used in a variety of ways, from sweetening beverages and desserts to enhancing savory dishes.
• Ornamental Value: The vibrant green foliage of the stevia plant adds a pleasant aesthetic to herb gardens, raised beds, or indoor pots.
• Sustainable Living: Growing your own stevia plant seeds contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing reliance on industrially produced sweeteners.
• Cost-Effective: Over time, growing your own stevia can be a more economical alternative to purchasing processed stevia products.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Successfully growing stevia rebaudiana seeds requires attention to a few key environmental factors. Start your seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost. Stevia prefers warm temperatures for germination, ideally between 68-75°F (20-24°C). Sow the tiny seeds lightly on the surface of a well-draining seed starting mix and gently press them in; do not cover them deeply as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist using a fine mist sprayer to avoid dislodging the seeds.

Once seedlings emerge, provide them with plenty of bright, indirect light. A south-facing window or grow lights work well. When the danger of frost has passed and temperatures are consistently above 50°F (10°C), harden off your stevia seedlings before transplanting them outdoors. Choose a location with full sun to partial shade; while stevia can tolerate some shade, it produces the sweetest leaves in full sun (at least 6 hours daily). The ideal soil for growing stevia is fertile, well-draining, and slightly acidic (pH 6.0-7.0).

Water your stevia plants regularly, ensuring the soil remains evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer, especially during the growing season, to encourage lush foliage. Pinch back the growing tips when the plants are 6-8 inches tall to promote bushier growth and more leaves. In colder climates, stevia can be grown as an annual or brought indoors for winter. Understanding how to grow stevia effectively will ensure a bountiful harvest of this amazing natural sweetener seeds.

Size & Details

This package contains 100 stevia rebaudiana seeds, providing ample opportunity for successful cultivation. Each seed has the potential to grow into a compact, bushy plant typically reaching 1-2 feet in height and spread when mature, though some varieties can grow slightly larger. Stevia is a moderate grower, with significant leaf production occurring within 3-4 months from germination. The plants produce small, white flowers, but for optimal sweetness, it’s often recommended to harvest leaves before flowering begins. These seeds are suitable for both container gardening and planting directly in garden beds, making them versatile for various growing environments. You can easily harvest fresh leaves throughout the growing season. The leaves are best used fresh or dried for later use as a powdered organic sugar substitute.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: A mature stevia plant grown from these stevia rebaudiana seeds typically reaches a height and width of 1 to 2 feet, forming a bushy, compact shape. Its size can vary slightly depending on growing conditions and care.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Stevia can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in warm climates during the growing season and can be brought indoors as a houseplant in cooler regions, especially when learning how to grow stevia.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For the sweetest leaves, stevia plants prefer full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. They can tolerate partial shade, but leaf sweetness might be reduced.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Once established, stevia is relatively easy to care for. The most critical steps are providing adequate warmth for germination and consistent moisture throughout its growth.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive 100 high-quality stevia plant seeds in a protective package, ready for planting. These are seeds, not live plants.
• Q: Can I use stevia leaves directly from the plant as a natural sweetener? A: Absolutely! Fresh stevia leaves can be picked directly from the plant and used to sweeten drinks and food. They are a wonderful, fresh natural sweetener seeds product.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these stevia rebaudiana seeds? A: It’s best to start stevia rebaudiana seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost. Once all danger of frost has passed, and temperatures are consistently warm, you can transplant the seedlings outdoors.
• Q: What is the ideal soil type for growing stevia? A: Stevia prefers a fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Stevia is perennial in USDA Zones 9 and warmer. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.
• Q: How long until I can harvest the leaves? A: You can typically begin harvesting leaves about 90 days after planting your stevia plant seeds, or once the plant is well-established and has produced sufficient foliage.