Stevia is a natural sugar substitute and is best for diabetic patients. The leaves of this plant can be used in many dishes and drinks for sweetness. This is a zero calories sweetener and you grow it effortlessly. This is a herb that can easily thrive in your garden, raised garden beds, or pots.
This is a perennial plant that will come back year after year. Stevia can easily be grown from seeds, cuttings, and plants. In this article, we are going to discuss with you how to grow stevia from cuttings.
This is the best way of growing stevia. Most people face difficulty when they grow stevia from seeds because of the low germination rate of seeds.
The other reason is that the seeds of stevia are more expensive than other seeds. On the other hand, you will get root cuttings very easily. You can also ask your friends or relatives for cuttings and propagate your plant. If you already have a stevia plant then you can make more plants from it.
When To Plant Stevia?
Stevia plants can’t tolerate cold temperatures. If you are living in a cold climate then you can start growing this plant indoors and place your pot outside when the danger of frost passes.
Make sure the soil temperature must be between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit before planting this outside. The location of this plant is very important as it needs 6 hours of sunlight regularly.
So you should choose that place in your garden where it gets enough light for proper growth.
How To Grow Stevia From Cuttings?
You can grow stevia plants from cuttings effortlessly.
- First of all, you need a sharp scissor to trim a stem or branch. The branch or stem you choose for growing the stevia plant should not have any flowers. In the fall, the stevia plant produces small white flowers.
- The length of the branch should be 6 inches long. Make sure the branch or stem should be healthy because there are more chances of getting success in growing a new plant of stevia from cutting. You should cut just above the leaves of the stem or branch. Remove all the leaves from the bottom of the branch. You can also use the branches of stevia from the grocery store. Before using these cuttings you have to cut off the bottom of the stem. You can also grow these cuttings in water without using a soil medium. When the roots are developed then you can transplant them into your desired pot all in the ground of your garden
- The next step is using the rooting hormone. This will encourage the growth of your cutting and it will adjust easily to the new environment of your pot or garden. Take the end of the cutting and dab them lightly in the powder or gel of rooting hormone. This is optional but helps in the development of roots of new cuttings of the stevia branch. In case you don’t use rooting hormone then there are bright chances of getting success in growing stevia plants from cuttings.
- Take a pot and fill it with high-quality potting mix. A high-quality potting mix contains peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and other helpful organic material. This will help in the growth of your cuttings. Avoid using garden soil for filling your pot. Make sure your pot must have drainage holes at the bottom as they are good for your plants and prevent them from root rot.
- Make a hole in the soil of the pot and now set your cutting in the soil. Keep the soil moist for about 3 to 4 weeks. Select a location where your pot gets maximum sunlight. It will help your cuttings to grow faster. A windowsill is a perfect place for placing a small pot. You can also use artificial lights or a heat mat for keeping the temperature consistent. When the danger of the frost is passed then you can transplant your stevia plants outdoors in the ground of your garden or raised bats you can also use larger pots.
- When you see the root system is developed and the plant grows larger. Then you can transfer or transplant it into a larger pot or you can shift it into a raised bed or in the ground of your garden.
How To Transplant Stevia?
When the danger of the last frost passes and the root system of the cuttings are completely developed then it is time to transplant them into a larger pot or in the ground.
- If you are transplanting this herb into the ground then make sure there must be 20 to 24 inches of space between each plant. When stevia plants grow tall and wide then they will get enough room for their growth. The height of the stevia plant can reach 30 inches tall and 24 inches.
- The soil of your garden must be well-drained and loamy. You can add aged compost to make the soil rich. Compost will increase the nutrient content in the soil. The best time of adding compost is 2 to 3 weeks before transplanting stevia plants into the ground.
- The pH of the soil must be between 6.7 to 7.2. You can check the pH level of the soil with the help of a kit. This kit is easily available in gardening stores or local nurseries. You can add amendments according to the requirement of your stevia plants.
Caring For Stevia
Whether you grow your stevia plants in the ground or the container, they need proper care. Here are the following tips and instructions about caring for stevia plants. If you follow them, then your plant will grow healthy and make your drinks and food sweet.
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When To Water Stevia Plants?
Plants need regular water but you should avoid overwatering because most plants don’t need wet feet.
- First, you should check the soil with the help of your finger. If you feel the soil is dry then water your plants otherwise wait. This is a simple and easy way of checking the water needs of your plants.
- If you see the leaves of stevia plants start wilting it means it needs water and the soil is dry. Water your plants on time because wilting can cause stress in the plant.
Fertilizer
Regular feed will make your stevia plants more healthy. You should use water-soluble fertilizer as it is ideal for stevia plants. You are growing stevia plants for their leaves and proper fertilizing will encourage better and healthier leaf production.
When you buy fertilizer from any gardening store or local nursery then there are proper instructions and tips about the amount and usage. You should follow the steps and instructions.
Mulching
- Mulch plays a very important role in retaining the moisture in the soil.
- It will help to protect your plants from weeds. Weeds are unwanted plants that can steal nutrients from the soil. As a result, there is a competition between stevia plants and weeds for nutrients. To avoid this problem you should apply a layer of moles around stevia plants.
- This is a smart idea to apply on hot summer days. Your soil will not dry and mulching also helps to regulate the temperature of the soil. It helps to keep the soil cool on hot days and warm on cold days.
Pruning
Pruning of stevia plants will encourage branching and maximize leaf production. For the better growth of your plant, you should trim it when the height of your plant is about 8 inches.
In early summer, your stevia plant again needs pruning. When you trim extra branches and stems of your stevia plants then avoid discarding them but you can use them for propagating more stevia plants.
Overwinter Stevia
Stevia grows well in the warmer zones but if you are living in a cold area then you can grow plants indoors and place them outside in the spring. You can buy a one-year-old plant and take a six inches long branch.
The branches of stevia plants can be used for propagating new stevia plants. The size of the branches must be 6 inches and you can plant them in a container.
Make sure the location of the container must be warm and sunny. You can also place your container in the winter season in a greenhouse. When spring comes then you can place your container or pot outside.
Pests And Diseases
Following are diseases and pests that are harmful to your stevia plants.
ALTERNARIA LEAF SPOT
When you see reddish small and round spots with white or gray centers on the leaves. It means your plant is affected by this disease.
Alternaria leaf spot is caused due to warm weather and you should remove infected parts of the plant. If you want to protect your plant from this disease, make sure your plant gets fresh air.
BOTRYTIS
This is a fungus that can affect all parts of the plant. This fungus spreads in wet and cool weather. When examining if the fungus is spreading then you should discard all the affected parts of the plant.
APHIDS
Aphids are tiny little monsters that can suck the leaves of stevia plants. They cling to the underside of the leaves. You can get rid of aphids with a jet of water. You can also use insecticidal soap to avoid this problem.
SLUGS
Slugs make big holes in the leaves as they eat leaves. They like to eat the leaves at night so you should go into your garden at night to see them. Hand-picking is the best way of getting rid of them.
When To Harvest Stevia?
The best time for harvesting the stevia leaves is the fall. But you can pick the leaves anytime when you need them.
- In the fall the temperature is cool so it will help to enhance the sweetness of the leaves of stevia plants. Whenever you need the leaves of the stevia plant you can cut the branches from it. It is recommended that before opening the buds of flowers of this herb you should harvest the leaves.
- In our climate, you should prune the stem about 4 ‘ high. The tip of the stems contains the amount of stevioside in the leaves is the same as in the tips of the stems.
- The first and second harvest of this herb is productive but not the third one. This plant stops producing leaves after 2 years so you should replant it every 2 years. You should use the cuttings of this plant to make more plants so you can use them in your drinks and different food items.
How To Dry Leaves Of Stevia For Future Use?
After harvesting the leaves of stevia plants you can easily dry them for future use.
- For the drying process, you need good air circulation and heat.
- The best way of drying the leaves of the stevia plant is that you should place the leaves outside in the full sun of a warm day.
- After 12 hours your leaves will be dry. These dry leaves can easily be used in different drinks.
- You should crush them by using your hand or a coffee grinder. Instead of using sugar, you can use these crushed leaves in your tea or coffee.
- You can also make a liquid extract from the fresh stevia leaves. For this purpose, you need a cup of warm water and mix ¼ cup of freshly crushed leaves. Now steep the leaves for 24 hours. After 24 hours from the strain the leaves from the water. Now refrigerate this extract for adding to the tea or coffee. This extract can be used to sweeten your drinks.
