How to Grow Stevia: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Transplant after all frost danger (UKY). Bring indoors before first frost (NC State, UF).

Stevia at a glance

PlantTransplant: last frost; Bring indoors: last frost
SunNC/UF: full sun (tolerates partial shade); moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, organically rich soil.
SpacingUKY example spacing for field plantings is tight in-row; home gardens usually use container or bed spacing that keeps moist, well-drained soil around the shallow feeder roots.
Days to harvest~90 days to leaf harvest (NC)
-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
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Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Tender perennial: hardy outdoors mainly in zones 10–11 (NC/UF). Elsewhere grow as an annual or container plant and bring indoors before frost.

Stevia plant
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana). Photo: Sten Porse, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (resized).

Planting timing

University of Kentucky CCD: “Stevia is planted in spring after all danger of frost has passed.” (UKY stevia) NC State: in North Carolina grow as an annual and “brought indoors before the first frost.” (NC State Stevia rebaudiana) UF: “bring the plant indoors before the first frost” where winters freeze. (UF stevia)

Depth and spacing

UKY example spacing for field plantings is tight in-row; home gardens usually use container or bed spacing that keeps moist, well-drained soil around the shallow feeder roots.

Sun, soil and water

NC/UF: full sun (tolerates partial shade); moist, well-drained, slightly acidic, organically rich soil. Do not overwater (root rot). Mulch to hold moisture.

Care

NC: harvest leaves about 90 days after planting; best just as flowering begins; prune flower buds to help leaf flavor. Cut stems about 6 inches above ground, dry, and store airtight.

Harvest

Sweetness peaks before full bloom. Dry leaves for storage (NC).

Pests and diseases

UKY: field insect pressure often low; greenhouse aphids, thrips, and whiteflies can hit transplants. Septoria leaf spot and southern blight reported in NC research contexts — sanitation and rotation first.

Related: ZIP planner · all grow guides · organic pest control

Frequently asked questions

When do I plant stevia outside?

After all frost danger (UKY).

What about winter?

Bring indoors before first frost (NC State, UF).

Can I direct-sow?

UKY prefers transplants; seed germination can be poor — start indoors or buy plants.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources