Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana)

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Stevia rebaudiana is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet liquorice-like flavour. — Leaves - raw or cooked.; A very sweet liquorice-like flavour.; The leaves contain 'stevioside', a substance that is 300 times sweeter than sucrose.; Other reports say that they contain 'estevin' a substance that, weight for weight, is 150 times sweeter than sugar.

Habitat & North American Range

Infertile, sandy acid soils with shallow water tables. This is normally in areas like the edge of mashes and grassland communities. (Zone 8)