Stevia Live Plant Set of 2 – Sweet Leaf – 2-5″ Tall Starter Plants – Indoor/Outdoor

Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own natural sweetener with our stevia live plant set. Stevia, also widely known as sweet leaf plant, offers a healthy, zero-calorie alternative to sugar, right from your garden or kitchen. Each set includes two vibrant starter plants, ready to be nurtured into lush, sweet-producing foliage. This incredible herb, scientifically known as Stevia rebaudiana, is native to Paraguay and Brazil, where it has been used for centuries for its intensely sweet leaves. Perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners, these plants are an excellent addition to any home looking for a sustainable and natural way to sweeten beverages, desserts, and meals.

Our stevia live plant is a versatile and compact herb that thrives in various settings, from sunny kitchen windows to outdoor garden beds. The leaves are remarkably sweeter than sugar, providing a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite treats. With proper care, your stevia plants will provide a continuous harvest of fresh leaves, allowing you to dry them, brew them into teas, or use them fresh to enhance the flavor of countless recipes. Embrace a healthier lifestyle by incorporating this wonderful natural sweetener into your daily routine.

Key Benefits

Growing your own stevia live plant offers a multitude of advantages, making it a highly desirable addition to any home garden. From its health benefits to its ease of cultivation, stevia is a rewarding plant to grow:

• Natural, Zero-Calorie Sweetener: Enjoy the sweet taste without the calories or artificial additives. Stevia leaves are 20-30 times sweeter than sugar, providing a healthy alternative for various dietary needs, including diabetic-friendly and low-calorie diets.
• Versatile Culinary Use: Harvest fresh leaves for teas, lemonades, or to sweeten baked goods. Dried leaves can be powdered for long-term storage and used as a sugar substitute in almost any recipe.
• Compact and Adaptable Growth: These plants are ideal for small spaces, thriving in containers, kitchen windows, balconies, or small garden beds. Their bushy growth habit makes them an attractive ornamental as well as a functional herb.
• Easy to Grow Indoors or Outdoors: Whether you have a sprawling garden or just a sunny windowsill, stevia live plant adapts well to various environments, making it accessible for all types of gardeners.
• Continuous Harvest: With regular harvesting and proper care, your stevia plants will produce a steady supply of fresh leaves throughout the growing season, ensuring you always have a natural sweetener on hand.
• Enhances Flavor Naturally: The clean, fresh sweet flavor of stevia enhances recipes and beverages without the sometimes artificial aftertaste associated with chemical sweeteners.
• Supports a Healthy Lifestyle: By providing a natural, unprocessed sweetener, growing sweet leaf plant encourages healthier eating habits and reduces reliance on refined sugars.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your stevia live plant is straightforward, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. These plants thrive in warm conditions and require consistent attention to watering and sunlight. For optimal growth, provide full sun to bright partial sun exposure. If growing indoors, place your plants in a south-facing window or under grow lights to ensure they receive at least 6-8 hours of bright light daily. Outdoors, ensure they are in a location that gets plenty of morning sun and some afternoon shade in hotter climates to prevent scorching.

Watering is crucial for healthy stevia plant care. Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to the plant’s health. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and always ensure your pots have good drainage. A well-draining potting mix is essential; a blend formulated for herbs or vegetables works well. Fertilize lightly every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer to support vigorous growth. Stevia prefers warmth and should be protected from temperatures below 40°F (4°C). If you live in a region with cold winters, bring your plants indoors before the first frost to ensure they continue thriving.

Harvesting growing stevia leaves can be done anytime, but they are typically sweetest before the plant flowers. Pinch off individual leaves or snip off small branches as needed. Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from bolting (going to seed), which can reduce sweetness. For winter care, if grown indoors, reduce watering slightly and ensure they still receive adequate light. With these simple tips, your stevia live plant will provide you with a bountiful supply of natural sweetness for months to come.

Size & Details

This offering includes two (2) healthy stevia live plant starter plants. Each plant measures approximately 2-5 inches in height upon arrival, providing a robust foundation for growth. These young plants are shipped bare-root or with minimal soil to ensure safe transit and are not potted. This method allows for easy transplanting into your preferred container or garden bed immediately upon arrival. While photos may depict mature plants, you will receive young, vigorous starters ready to establish themselves in their new environment. Stevia plants typically grow into compact, bushy forms, reaching heights of 1-3 feet and similar widths when mature, making them perfectly suited for containers, kitchen windows, or small garden spaces. With proper care, these plants will grow quickly, providing a continuous harvest of sweet leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this stevia live plant get? A: Your starter plants will arrive 2-5 inches tall. With good care, they can grow into bushy plants up to 1-3 feet tall and wide, making them ideal for containers or garden beds.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Stevia is versatile and can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives in warm conditions and bright light. In colder climates, it’s best to bring them indoors for winter protection.
• Q: How much sunlight does sweet leaf plant need? A: Stevia requires full sun to bright partial sun. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and sweetness.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, stevia plant care is considered relatively easy. It requires consistent watering, well-draining soil, and plenty of sunlight. It’s a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
• Q: What condition will the plants arrive in? A: You will receive two healthy stevia live plant starter plants, 2-5 inches tall, shipped bare-root or with minimal soil. They are carefully packaged to ensure safe arrival but will require immediate planting.
• Q: Is growing stevia safe for pets? A: While generally considered non-toxic, it’s always best to keep plants away from pets if ingested in large quantities. Stevia is primarily intended for culinary use.
• Q: When is the best time to plant these stevia starters? A: The best time to plant stevia is after the last frost in spring, when soil temperatures have warmed up. If growing indoors, they can be planted year-round.
• Q: Can I use the leaves immediately after receiving the plant? A: It’s best to allow your stevia live plant to establish itself for a few weeks after planting before you begin harvesting leaves. This helps the plant build strength and develop a robust root system.
• Q: How often should I water my stevia plant? A: Water your stevia when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
• Q: What are the main uses for natural sweetener plant leaves? A: The leaves can be used fresh in teas, smoothies, and desserts, or dried and powdered to replace sugar in baking and cooking. They provide a delicious, zero-calorie sweetness.