stevia
sweetleaf or sugarleaf (syn. Stevia rebaudiana)
A tender perennial with dark green, elliptic to lance-shaped leaves used as a low-calorie, natural sugar alternative in many foods. Attractive white flowers with purple accents sugarcoat the uniform and basally branching stems later in the season. Known for its branching habit, it creates a naturally bushy plant that will happily over-winter on a bright windowsill in a cool room.
How to care for stevia:
Pinch out the growing tips regularly to encourage new growth. It can be moved outside during the summer months, but as soon as the temperatures start to dip, bring it inside to a cool conservatory or bright windowsill, well away from centrally heated radiators.
Sowing instructions:
Sow indoors or under glass from March and lightly cover with peat-free seed compost. Germination can be sporadic and take up to 3 weeks at 68°F (20°C). Transplant when seedlings are large enough to handle and grow on, planting out once all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, direct sow in late spring. Pinch out the growing tips regularly to encourage new growth.
Eventual height:
1m
Eventual spread:
1m
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Frost tender
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This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
approx 7 seeds
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