Stevia, also known as sweet herb or honey leaf, thrives perennially, but is not hardy in our latitudes. With good care, you can continually harvest sweet herb leaves during the growing season and use them fresh or preserve them.
How do I care for a stevia plant?
To properly care for a stevia plant, water it regularly and avoid waterlogging, fertilize it moderately and no more than once a month, repot it regularly, cut it for strong growth and overwinter it in a bright place without frost.
The water requirements of sweet herbs
Stevia plants love the change between wet and dry and thrive optimally under these conditions. Therefore, water the honey herb regularly and then allow the pot ball to dry until it only feels slightly moist inside (thumb test). However, be sure to avoid waterlogging, to which the sweet herb reacts very sensitively.
Fertilize moderately
Fertilize the stevia plant extremely sparingly, because like many herbs, stevia becomes susceptible to disease if it is oversupplied with nutrients. Fertilize no more than once a month during the growing season and refrain from applying additional fertilizer for at least a quarter of a year after repotting.
Repot regularly
Stevia grown in pots must always be repotted when the plant has become too large for its old planter. The sweet herb needs a lot of space to develop freely and forms strong, flat storage roots. Therefore, choose generous pots or bowls. Normal potting soil or special herb soil is suitable as a plant substrate.
Cutting ensures strong growth
Shrink the sweet leaf regularly during the summer months so that the plant grows stronger and bushier. Before the first cool nights herald autumn, you should cut the stevia back to a length of about ten centimeters.
Common Pests and Diseases:
When cared for correctly, Stevia is a very insensitive herb. The sweet herb reacts to over-fertilization with unstable stems and poorly developed, light green leaves. In this case, do not fertilize the plant for a few weeks. Bright, white spots on the underside of leaves indicate powdery mildew or white rust. Cut back these shoots or combat the plant disease with suitable products (€13.00 on Amazon).
Overwintering Stevia:
Since stevia is sensitive to frost, the sweet herb cannot be overwintered outdoors. Dig up the stevia in autumn before the first night frosts and overwinter the plant in a bright place.
Tips & Tricks
Stevia is very valuable for people who cannot or do not want to consume sugar. However, dose the herb very sparingly, as it develops a slightly bitter-sweet taste if overdosed.
