- Which location does the stevia prefer?
- Which substrate is suitable?
- When is planting time?
- Can you grow stevia yourself?
- When is harvest time?
- How are the leaves processed?
- How does the plant overwinter?
- tips and tricks
The natives of South America already took advantage of the aromatic power of stevia and sweetened food and drinks with the leaves of the herb. Although the honeyweed is not hardy, the plant can also be cultivated in our latitudes on the balcony or in the herb garden.
Which location does the stevia prefer?
Give the heat-loving plant a sunny, warm and wind-protected spot in the garden or on the balcony. The plant is not frost hardy and must overwinter indoors.
Which substrate is suitable?
Stevia plants prefer barren and nutrient-poor soils. Before planting, loosen humus-rich garden soil with some sand or pumice.
How much space does the plant need?
Keep a planting distance of about thirty to fifty centimeters in the bed so that the herb can develop well.
When is planting time?
After the ice saints, the pots with the sweet leaves are allowed to move to the balcony. Once the soil has warmed up sufficiently, you can transplant the honey leaf, which has become accustomed to the changed conditions, to the open ground.
Can you grow stevia yourself?
Breeding Stevia is not difficult. Honeyweed you can choose from
- seed
- cuttings
- lowering
When is harvest time?
Harvest the leaves of the sweet cabbage at least every three weeks and remove the entire shoot tip. This encourages the plant to branch out profusely and keep growing new shoots.
How are the leaves processed?
You can use the leaves fresh immediately to add a pleasantly sweet aroma to hot drinks. Dose carefully, five to six leaves per pot are usually sufficient.
Alternatively, you can dry the stevia herb and obtain a liquid extract from the honey herb yourself.
How does the plant overwinter?
If you have a heated winter garden or a heated greenhouse with temperatures of at least 18 degrees Celsius, you can cultivate stevia without a winter break.
If you do not have this option, the plant is cut back to about five centimeters in autumn and dug up. Place the honeyweed in nutrient-poor soil and keep the plant in a frost-free room until next spring. Place the stevia in a bright window from March to encourage renewed growth.
tips and tricks
Honey herb is considered a natural sweetener for carefree enjoyment. The natural sweetener does not harm the teeth or the figure and thus offers pleasure without regrets.