Introduction of Stevia Plant- Sugar Plant:
Stevia Plant is a herb, well known for its sweet-tasting leaves. Stevia leaves are sweet, but they contain zero calories, and leaves are widely used for making sugar-free foods and soft drinks and had started in Japan. The plant is native to Brazil and Paraguay and belongs to the flowering plant family Asteraceae. The scientific name of the sugar plant is stevia Rebaudiana. Besides that, the candy leaf plant is a low maintenance plant that requires plenty of light, well-drained soil, and light watering to thrive. The plant loves sunny and warm conditions to grow and it is cultivated for its sweet leaves and Japan is the largest consumer of stevia worldwide.Specifications:
Size: Stevia Plant can grow up to 24 inches tall and wide. Plant Type: Perennial herb Plant Family: Asteraceae (Daisy Family) Names i.e Commonly Known as: Stevia, Sugar Plant, Candyleaf Plant, Sweet Leaf Plant Growing Difficulty Level: It’s not hard to grow, but proper care must be applied (Difficulty level is Medium) Botanical Name: Stevia Rebaudiana Bearing: White flowers with light purple accents Time to Bloom: Early to mid-autumnBest Way to Care For Stevia Plant:
Best Practices to grow Stevia Rebaudiana effectively:Best Practices:
Ideal Temperature and Climate:
- Sweet Leaf Plant is native to semi-humid, sub-tropical hot climates and grows well with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 30°C.
Ideal Sunlight:
- The Plant requires 6 hours of direct full sunlight to thrive
Ideal Watering:
- Candyleaf does not require too much watering, water only whenever the top inch of potting soil feels dry.
Ideal Soil:
- Well-drained sandy loam soil is best for the growth of the Sweet Leaf Plant.
Ideal Fertilizer:
- Use liquid organic fertilizers that are rich in phosphoric acid or potash content.
Things to do and don’ts after planting Sugar Plant:
Do’s:- Use Good drainage Soil
- Make sure the temperature should not be below -6°C. (Stevia cannot tolerate frost)
- Room temperatures should be above 21°C. (For Indoor growing)
- To maximize leaf production, trim the plant when it reaches 8 inches tall.
- Make sure to avoid overwatering that affect the growth badly.
- Avoid fertilizer that contains a high amount of nitrogen
- Avoid the use of soggy soil.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stevia:
Q: Is the stevia plant safe to eat?
Yes, you can eat stevia leaves feel free, but make sure in moderation. Moderation is the key. Besides that, According to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is one of the no-calorie sweeteners and generally safe for use in food.Q: Can stevia grow indoors?
Sweet Leaf Plant can grow effectively whether you grow indoors or in a garden. (If the proper care is implemented)Q: Is stevia Good for Diabetes?
Stevia is the best alternative to sugar, people who are suffering from diabetes or want to lose weight, can use stevia in their diet as a sugar opposite, because it contains zero calories and generally doesn’t raise blood sugar levels.Q: Is stevia rebaudiana hard to grow?
Generally speaking, it is not so hard to grow, the growth rate would depend on the climate, type of soil, watering frequency, fertilizer, and more care factors. In our opinion, if you do sufficient care, the plant can make you happy.Q: Is stevia worse than sugar?
Stevia leaves are free from calories, it is best to use for weight loss. Contrastingly, the amount of sugar needs to consume less if you intend to decrease your weight.Q: Is stevia in the mint family?
No, stevia does not belong to the mint family (Lamiaceae), in reality, the plant is the part of sunflower family Asteraceae.Q: How do I prune stevia?
You should not start pruning until your plant is about 8 inches tall. After that period, you can trim the plant several times a year. The right time and the right way trim can maximize leaf production.References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevia_rebaudiana
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/stevia/stevia-plant-care.htm
- https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-grow-stevia-from-seeds-and-cuttings
