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How to Care for a Stevia Plant

Mary Smith
By Mary Smith. Updated: January 20, 2017
How to Care for a Stevia Plant

It's convenient to grow stevia at home in order to take advantage of its many beneficial properties for the human body. Being a tropical plant, it's necessary to consider some recommendations as to its basic care so it can grow properly. If you want to know how to care for stevia. Do not miss these tips from OneHowTo.

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Steps to follow:
1

First of all, note that stevia requires earth with an acidic substrate, just as with other plants such as hydrangeas or azaleas. Thus, it is necessary that the pH is between 6 and 6.5, because if you use an alkaline substrate, the stevia plant will not grow properly and even begin to turn yellow.

If you want to grow stevia in a pot, you should know that it should be done in large containers, as its roots grow quite a lot. Grow them 2 ft away from each other if you're planning to grow more than one.

2

Regarding the basic care for a stevia plant, it's also important to keep the plant away from the cold, especially in winter because they cannot withstand low temperatures. The plant is from tropical areas, so it will not get used to the cold winters of other climates.

You can start growing your stevia plant from seed or cuttings in a plant pot inside in winter and take it outdoors when the weather gets better.

How to Care for a Stevia Plant - Step 2
3

It will also be necessary to put it in a place where it can receive sunlight for most of the day so it can grow strong and healthy. The ideal climate for this species will be warm and humid, so you should try to grow it in an area with these characteristics.

How to Care for a Stevia Plant - Step 3
4

To water a stevia plant, this will also vary depending on the time of year, so do so as follows:

  • In spring and autumn, stevia should be watered every 2-3 days or sooner if the soil is very dry.
  • In summer, it should be watered daily.
  • In winter, it will be watered only when it looks dry, because these plants are less active during the winter lull.

Note also that, despite the abundant watering during the warmer months, you should never flood the stevia to prevent the root from rotting and/or dying.

How to Care for a Stevia Plant - Step 4
Image: cactomania.com
5

Harvesting should be done approximately during midsummer, so the end of July or the beginning of August are ideal. Once you have got your stevia leaves you can use them to extract sugar from the plant.

How to Care for a Stevia Plant - Step 5

If you want to read similar articles to How to Care for a Stevia Plant, we recommend you visit our Gardening & plants category.

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