Stevia – low-calorie sweet

I discovered Stevia rebaudiana last year- thanks to my friend. I try this low-cost plant without difficulty in the garden.

Stevia has been used for more than 1500 years in the South America as a medicinal herb. The plant is native to the mountains between Paraguay and Brazil. It is easy to cultivate plants and support hot temperature – that is important for me. It is a perennial herb resentment in the cool weather (minimal 35 F). This winter the minimal temperature was -5° C (23°F) and the plant was outside (covered by dried leaves). In case of too cold weather it must be posted in a greenhouse (in pot). It grows well in sunny and middle-sunny position in soft and nutrient soil. It doesn’t need special care. It reproduces by seed (they are tiny and we mixed them with sand to help sow) and by cutting. We can collect and dry all parts of the plant and use them  fresh in  teas and foods. The dried leaves have a sweetening power from which have 250–300 times the sweetness of sugar.

Just now my Stevia grows!

Happy gardening!