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Stevia is one of the best natural . No wonder 80% of its consumption falls on the country of centenarians - Japan. Today I will tell you how to grow stevia from seeds at home. This is especially true for residents of remote cities who find it difficult to purchase it in stores.
I want to warn you that the process of growing stevia is not easy. Honey grass is very whimsical, and requires considerable effort for successful growth. Therefore, think ten times whether you need such labor costs. If yes, then read on with confidence - soon you will learn a lot of interesting and useful things.
The homeland of the sweet grass is Paraguay. This country is located in South America, so the main conditions for growing stevia are heat, sun and sand.
The optimum temperature is 23-28 degrees Celsius. Must be protected from strong winds and drafts.
Priming- sand or a mixture of sand with humus with a slightly acidic environment (pH 5.5-6). The earth should be loose and very light. Worst of all, stevia tolerates peat and calcareous soils.
Since there are no cold winters in South America, stevia does not tolerate cold. Therefore, it is grown either at home in a pot on the windowsill, or as an annual plant on the ground.
There are two main steps that, if done correctly, will give the grass a good chance of germination.
With long-term cultivation of stevia, it can be propagated using cuttings. This is much more efficient and easier than using seeds. To do this, in an adult grass, aged from 2 months, cut off the shoot with leaves. The best time is May.
Plant it at a depth of 4 centimeters. Water well and cover with a jar or film, creating a greenhouse. In warmth and good watering, the stalk germinates within 10 days.
Don't forget that honey grass needs good light. But it can die from direct sunlight. It also needs to be watered once or twice a week.
Fertilize the plant twice a month.
Prepare seedlings as described above.
When growing honey grass on the ground, it is important to remember about its cold intolerance. Therefore, for the winter, the roots will need to be dug up and stored until the next planting. This method of growing stevia is more effective than every year and from seeds, since every year the roots will grow stronger and produce more and more yield.
The roots survive wintering in a box with the ground, at a temperature of 4 to 8 degrees, and at a humidity of about 80. Usually, such conditions in a cellar or basement.
At the beginning of flowering, at 16 weeks after planting, it is already possible to harvest the long-awaited crop. Usually this is the summer period. Stevia stem is cut at a height of 5 centimeters from the ground. The grass is tied into bundles and dried.
If the grass was grown for seeds, the grains are harvested in September.
At the end of September, the roots can be dug up for storage if grown outdoors.
If you grow stevia at home, the leaves can be torn off all the time.
Drying grass takes no more than 12 hours. And you can grind the leaves with a coffee grinder.
Read about the rules for using stevia, and its sweetness.
Good day! The topic of sweets and sweeteners is one of the most popular among people with diabetes and overweight.
There is a lot of conflicting information on this subject, but natural ones are the undisputed leaders among sugar substitutes.
Today we will talk about stevia again, but about growing from seeds at home, how to get seeds and grow it in the country and at home, planting and care, and at the end we will learn how to make syrup.
I hope the material will be useful not only to avid gardeners, but also to everyone who is engaged in home floriculture. Try growing your own stevia and we'll help you!
Today's article is dedicated to all those who prefer to see not only beautiful, but also useful plants at home or in the country. Is it possible to grow stevia at home so that this famous inhabitant of the southern latitudes will delight us with its juicy sweet leaves?
Of course, many gardeners have long been cultivating this herb, known for its taste and healing properties, on their windowsills and summer cottages.
Since we will grow stevia directly from seeds, it is worth finding out in advance where to buy them.
This plant belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family, and despite the common belief that only a small percentage of seeds germinate, stevia is cultivated in northern countries very successfully, but more often as an annual plant. 
Small stevia seeds - only 0.5 mm wide and 4 mm long - are easy to purchase online and receive by mail.
On specialized sites you can find different packaging and, accordingly, meet a wide range of prices for this plant. The minimum number of seeds in one package is 7-10 pieces with a guarantee of a high percentage of germination.
Today, the questions of where and how to buy stevia seeds are no longer worth it - we order an exotic plant and receive it by mail!
But in order to grow stevia outdoors, it is worth remembering a few important points.
The frost resistance of this grass is considered low and not suitable for our latitudes, which is why growing it in the country is associated with certain difficulties.
Most often, it is recommended to purchase already grown stevia seedlings, especially if there is no experience in growing plants from seeds - this method is considered more reliable.
But if you want to try your hand, then it's time to find out what you should pay special attention to when planting this grass with seeds.
To sow stevia with the maximum percentage of germination, we select the material using the windage method, that is, we simply release each seed and watch how it falls.
The soil for the successful cultivation of stevia should consist of black soil and humus in a ratio of 3: 1.
Before planting (we produce it in mid-March), we moisten the seeds with warm water and lay them out on a clean cloth or paper until completely dry.
Due to their small size, it is not worth embedding, that is, covering the seeds after planting with soil. Just spread the stevia on the surface of moist soil, sprinkle with water and cover with plastic wrap, a cut of a plastic bottle or a glass jar of a suitable diameter.
From time to time we moisten the soil by spraying and keep it warm in a well-lit place - the temperature should not fall below 22-25 ° C. In such favorable conditions, the seeds germinate within 5-7 days.
We finish sowing stevia no later than mid-May.
When the first shoots appear under the film or jar, we pay attention that there are no weeds among them. It will be easy to distinguish them from stevia seedlings: the latter grow very slowly and are very small in size.
If all the seeds have sprouted and it seems that they grow too often, we dive them through one. We transplant young plants into a separate bowl with the same soil composition so that they take root well. 
If we do not plan to grow stevia in open ground, we plant the sprouts immediately in a wide, shallow pot, since the root system of this herb, as we remember, is superficial and grows in breadth.
The resulting seedlings are best dived at the age of 2 months, either in a greenhouse or in pots - it is more convenient for many to monitor the microclimate of the plant.
Just remember that in this case the pot must be prepared in advance and designed for an adult plant
Planted seedlings are also covered with a jar or plastic bottle to create the optimal level of heat and humidity.
Landing in open ground is allowed no earlier than the middle or even the end of June, so that the soil temperature is 10-15 ° C, no less.
In addition, two weeks before the intended planting, stevia seedlings must be hardened off. To do this, we open one and a half month old plants and expose them to the open air, first for a couple of hours, gradually increasing the “airing” time.
After the seedlings get used to being outside the shelter throughout the day, we transplant them into open ground. With such preparation, growing stevia in the country will not be so difficult, despite its low frost resistance.
In late August and early September, the plants will need to be dug up and transplanted into a pot and put into a greenhouse or brought into the house, since the minimum temperature at which the plant does not die is 4 ° C.
If there are plans to preserve live grass during the winter and return it to open ground again at the beginning of summer, it’s not worth the risk - we remove stevia from drafts and frosts much earlier.
We monitor the PH indicator: it should be neutral. If the soil is too acidic or, conversely, alkaline, we continue to keep stevia in pots even outdoors without planting it in the ground.
Stevia seedlings are very whimsical and capricious in home care. She does not like dry soil, but does not tolerate waterlogging, her roots immediately begin to rot. 
While the seedlings are very small in size, we have just swooped down and it is still a long way before planting in open ground, we are arranging a mini-greenhouse for them. Under glass or film should be humid and very warm. If you can not determine the temperature inside, it is better to use a special thermometer.
We keep the pots on the sunniest and warmest windowsills, regularly, 2-3 times a day, spraying the soil with warm water. Watering should be only pointwise and occasionally, so as not to overmoisten the seedlings.
After a month, stevia can be transferred to the greenhouse. There we try to keep young plants in the same microclimate - warm and humid. At the same time, it is time to start feeding.
To grow stevia in a greenhouse or at home, we spray the plants once every two weeks, alternating organic and mineral fertilizers. We breed them according to the instructions.
While young plants are getting stronger, we are preparing a place on the site, if there is a desire and an opportunity to grow honey stevia in the open field.
The place should be chosen taking into account all the needs of the plant - in no case lowland, so that moisture does not accumulate, it should be well lit throughout the day. There should not be other plants nearby, we assign a separate area to the stevia.
When the shoots in the greenhouse or at home on the windowsill reach 20 cm, and after planting 2 months have already passed, we cut the tops. The best time to do this is from mid-May to early June. Thus, we will contribute to the emergence of lateral processes, creating a shrub in several branches, which can be used for food in the fall.
We cut off the shoot in such a way that a part of it with a pair of internodes remains on the adult plant.
We are not in a hurry to throw away the remaining cuttings, because with their help the reproduction of stevia is faster and more reliable than by planting seeds.
Stevia cuttings are rooted as follows:
With such home care, it will be possible to transplant stevia into the soil in two weeks. 
We keep the newly planted plant under a film or glass, and open it no earlier than a week later. To take root stevia will need high humidity and soil.
Agrotechnics of stevia involves its transplantation into open ground after at least two months from the moment of seed germination. We continue to regularly spray and water the pre-hardened plant in the air to achieve maximum sweetness with the leaves, because stevia grown in the country, and not at home, will be the sweetest.
Now that we have figured out what planting and caring for this plant is, let's find out what stevia harvesting can be done.
As you know, stevia is an excellent natural sweetener that does not cause an increase in blood glucose levels. As a consequence, it can be consumed by both types of diabetics. 
In addition, honey grass is several hundred times sweeter than ordinary sugar, so not much is needed to sweeten drinks and food.
Stevia can be prepared in several ways.
Drying and crushing leaves is one of the easiest ways to harvest.
The main thing is not to overexpose them at a high temperature for more than 12 hours, so that the sweetness does not disappear.
Grind the dried leaves in an ordinary coffee grinder or blender bowl, pour into a jar and store for at least a few years.
How to use dried stevia
But besides simply drying the leaves, stevia can be prepared for the winter in several more ways - by boiling syrup or extract.
You can make an extract from stevia leaves at home with both alcohol and water. The difference will be in sweetness - in the first case, it will be even more noticeable. 
We stock up on dry leaves and vodka or other strong alcohol, such as whiskey or brandy.
In a similar way, we make an aqueous extract.
Stevia syrup at home is made according to the same scheme.
The resulting stevia syrup is sealed in a sterile jar and used as needed, adding to pastries or drinks.
Now you know if you can grow stevia at home, how best to do it, and what its wonderful honey leaves can come in handy for!
Since this plant is a real storehouse of useful substances, do not be afraid of failure and postpone planting - we are trying to organize "sugar plantations" on our windowsill right now!
With warmth and care, endocrinologist Dilyara Lebedeva
With warmth and care, endocrinologist Lebedeva Dilyara Ilgizovna
Stevia or honey grass. She exudes magic and mystery. However, this is a completely natural and far from rare resident of many garden plots and even balconies, planters or flower beds. She is not only able to decorate the garden with her presence, but also has a lot of useful properties.
Growing stevia at home and outdoors
Stevia is a whole genus of perennials from the Astrov family, which combines more than 250 species of various shrubs and herbs. Their homeland is the plains and mountainous regions of America. The most popular type of stevia is honey, which is cultivated in summer cottages. This plant was first studied by the botanist Stevus in the 16th century, after whom it was named. The fact that the natives used honey stevia as food was established by the scientist Antonio Bertoni during his expedition to Paraguay. He noticed that the Indians called this plant "guarani" and prepared delicious and sweet drinks from it.
Stevia is a natural sugar substitute
The fact is that stevia is a natural sugar substitute: a couple of leaves of grass are enough to sweeten a cup of tea. Its leaves contain a substance that in the twentieth century was called "stevioside" - it is hundreds of times sweeter than ordinary sugar. By the way, stevioside is recognized as the sweetest natural product in the world.
Honey stevia is a semi-shrub up to 80 cm high, abundantly branching, with small paired leaves and a developed root system. Blooms with small white flowers. It is now widely used in cooking in Asian countries and South America.
The most popular type of stevia is honey stevia.
Stevia respects heat and sunlight, so it should be grown in a well-lit area where there is protection from drafts and gusts of wind, and the ideal air temperature for it should be at least 22 degrees. It is also worth remembering that you can not plant stevia in the lowlands, where water can accumulate - its excess is detrimental to the plant.
With regard to the soil, stevia is relatively not picky - it can grow anywhere, as long as the soil is not too saline. The ideal soil for it is light sandy loam and sandy substrates with the addition of organic fertilizers.
Stevia respects heat and sunshine
Stevia respects compost and humus, but you should be careful with peat, as it does not grow well on it.
Good predecessors for her are legumes. The pH of the soil should be in the range of 5.5-6. If only clay soil is present in the garden plot, then sod, humus and coarse sand should be added to it so that it becomes loose and light - the kind that stevia loves.
stevia seeds
Growing stevia from seeds is not an easy task. This is a very tricky plant. Most of the seeds end up unsuitable for cultivation. The seedling period of stevia lasts about 2 months, so they start sowing seeds in April.
Preparing the soil and container for planting
Planting seeds
Sprinkle with earth
Create a greenhouse effect
The first sprouts of stevia
Stevia can also be grown from cuttings. This method is much simpler than the previous one, but it will require a mother plant at least 2 months old. Cut cuttings-tops of shoots about 10 cm long should be in May-June. Before rooting, the lower leaves are removed from it, then they are dug into the ground to a depth of 6 cm, sprayed with water and covered with a jar or film. At first, the cutting and the soil around it are sprayed several times a day with a spray gun. Rooting occurs within 10 days.
Growing stevia from seeds
While the plants are very small, water them very carefully, while controlling the humidity - the soil should not be wet. Ideally, if you manage to organize bottom watering, that is, put a box with seedlings in water for a while.
There should be no drafts on the windowsill where the seedlings stand, and it is also important to remove the rest of the house plants - stevia does not like neighbors.
When small stevia grow up and stretch up to 12 cm, their tops are shortened by 3-4 cm
When small stevia grow up and stretch up to 12 cm, their tops are shortened by 3-4 cm - thanks to this procedure, the plants will begin to branch well.
If you plan to grow stevia in an apartment, then at the end of the seedling period, the bushes should be transplanted into separate pots with a diameter of at least 10 cm.
Growing stevia in pots
Relocation of stevia to the street is one of the most crucial moments. Wrong actions can ruin all your work. Before the plants finally move outside, it is important to harden them. To do this, the seedlings are first dived into separate pots and then exposed daily for several hours outside. The weather at this time should be warm and sunny. Each time, young stevia stay on the street longer.
Planting stevia in the ground is done when the risk of frost is minimal.
Landing in the ground is carried out when the risk of frost is minimal, and the air temperature during the day is at least 18 degrees. The procedure is best done in the evening.
Digging up a plot for stevia
Planting stevia in open ground
Stevia transplant in open ground
For the first time, until the plants take root, they are covered with a film. Since the roots of stevia are close to the surface, the soil around the plant is mulched so that they do not dry out.
Stevia is a lady with character. So that she does not die, it is important to provide her with good growing conditions.
| Watering | No more than 3-4 times a week depending on the weather. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the plant is not overwatered, but also does not suffer from a lack of water. At home, it is better to pour stevia with boiled water. |
| Weeding | A very important factor, since stevia does not like neighbors. All weeds around plants are carefully removed |
| Priming | After each watering or rain, it is necessary to loosen |
| top dressing | It is carried out 2 times a month with nitrogen-containing fertilizers. Humus or compost is applied in the fall |
| pruning | If stevia grows in an apartment, then it is important to cut it every six months so that the crown branches well. Outdoor plants are pruned as needed. It is important to periodically cut off part of the leaves so that the bushes are constantly updated. To increase the yield, all stevia flowers are removed |
| Wintering | The plant winters very badly in the Russian climate, more often it simply dies, so for the winter it is best to dig it up and bring it into the house. In some regions, at your own risk, stevia can be left on the street, covered with a film |
With all the desire in Russia, honey grass can very rarely be grown to its full height - the climate is too cold. You can harvest the crop 4 months after sowing the seeds. Usually this is the beginning of autumn - at this time the plant is preparing for wintering and begins to intensively store stevioside in the leaves.
You can harvest 4 months after sowing seeds
Harvesting is quite simple - the stems of the plant are cut off and all the leaves are cut off from them, which are then dried in the sun or under a UV lamp.
It is important to know that stevia leaves should not be dried for more than 12 hours, otherwise they will not be as sweet.
Stevia Growing Secrets
Dried leaves keep well in closed containers for a long time.
Dried stevia leaves keep well in closed containers for a long time.
Honey grass has a lot of useful properties, is widely used in medicine and is approved by the Ministry of Health.
Only 4 tablespoons of dried leaves of this plant can replace 1 cup of sugar.
Stevia is the best natural low calorie sugar substitute.
Fragrant teas are prepared with the addition of stevia
Stevia - A Guide to Growing at Home from Seeds
Stevia is one of the best natural sugar substitutes. No wonder 80% of its consumption falls on the country of centenarians - Japan. Today I will tell you how to grow stevia from seeds at home. This is especially true for residents of remote cities who find it difficult to purchase it in stores.
I want to warn you that the process of growing stevia is not easy. Honey grass is very whimsical, and requires considerable effort for successful growth. Therefore, think ten times whether you need such labor costs. If yes, then read on with confidence - soon you will learn a lot of interesting and useful things.
Stevia's natural habitat
The homeland of the sweet grass is Paraguay. This country is located in South America, so the main conditions for growing stevia are heat, sun and sand.
The optimum temperature is 23-28 degrees Celsius. Must be protected from strong winds and drafts.
Priming- sand or a mixture of sand with humus with a slightly acidic environment (pH 5.5-6). The earth should be loose and very light. Worst of all, stevia tolerates peat and calcareous soils.
Since there are no cold winters in South America, stevia does not tolerate cold. Therefore, it is grown either at home in a pot on the windowsill, or as an annual plant on the ground.
Preparing to Grow Stevia from Seeds
There are two main steps that, if done correctly, will give the grass a good chance of germination.
How to grow stevia from seeds at home
Long-term stevia cultivation at home, care
With long-term cultivation of stevia, it can be propagated using cuttings. This is much more efficient and easier than using seeds. To do this, in an adult grass, aged from 2 months, cut off the shoot with leaves. The best time is May.
Plant it at a depth of 4 centimeters. Water well and cover with a jar or film, creating a greenhouse. In warmth and good watering, the stalk germinates within 10 days.
Don't forget that honey grass needs good light. But it can die from direct sunlight. It also needs to be watered once or twice a week.
Fertilize the plant twice a month.
How to grow stevia in the country in the open field
Prepare seedlings as described above.
When growing honey grass on the ground, it is important to remember about its cold intolerance. Therefore, for the winter, the roots will need to be dug up and stored until the next planting. This method of growing stevia is more effective than every year and from seeds, since every year the roots will grow stronger and produce more and more yield.
The roots survive wintering in a box with the ground, at a temperature of 4 to 8 degrees, and at a humidity of about 80. Usually, such conditions in a cellar or basement.
Harvesting
At the beginning of flowering, at 16 weeks after planting, it is already possible to harvest the long-awaited crop. Usually this is the summer period. Stevia stem is cut at a height of 5 centimeters from the ground. The grass is tied into bundles and dried.
If the grass was grown for seeds, the grains are harvested in September.
At the end of September, the roots can be dug up for storage if grown outdoors.
If you grow stevia at home, the leaves can be torn off all the time.
Drying grass takes no more than 12 hours. And you can grind the leaves with a coffee grinder.
About the rules for using stevia, and its sweetness, read this article.
Stevia is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Asteraceae family, the leaves of which contain glucoside (stevioside), it is 300 times sweeter than sucrose. This sugar substitute is useful for everyone, especially for patients with diabetes and obesity. It is no coincidence that many gardeners strive to grow a plant that came to us from South America (Paraguay). But not everyone has the right idea about the agricultural technology of stevia.
Stevia honey, or Honey grass (Stevia rebaudiana) - a species of plants of the genus Stevia (Stevia) of the Aster family, or Compositae.
Stevia honey (Stevia rebaudiana). © Tammy
The optimum soil and air temperature for the growth and development of honey stevia is 15..30°C.
In our country, stevia is preferable to grow as an annual plant. First, seedlings are prepared (seeds are sown until mid-May), then two-month-old plants are planted in a greenhouse. However, I prefer to sow stevia immediately in a permanent place - in pots. There should be a hole in the bottom of the pot, in addition, I put gravel down the container with a layer of 3 cm, then sand. The soil for stevia is made up of garden soil and humus or lowland peat (3: 1), pH 5.6-6.9 (neutral).
Stevia honey. © JRR
Stevia seeds are very small, 4 mm long, 0.5 mm wide. Therefore, I do not close them up, but simply lay them out on the surface of moist soil, then water them with water. I cover the sowing pots with a transparent glass jar, plastic bottle or film and put it in heat (20..25 ° C). Under such conditions, stevia sprouts after 5 days. I keep seedlings in the light, but under a jar. 1.5 months after germination, I gradually remove the jar for a while, and within a week I teach the plants to live without shelters. I transfer the strengthened seedlings without shelters to the window sill illuminated by the sun.
After I remove the shelters from the plants, I make sure that the soil does not dry out (it should always be very wet). To keep the air moist, I spray the plants with water at room temperature two or three times a day. When the plants grow up, I transfer the pots to the greenhouse. Starting from the second month after the emergence of stevia shoots, I feed them every two weeks, alternating mineral and organic fertilizers. Consumption per 10 liters: 10 g each of 34% ammonium nitrate and 40% potassium salt, 20 g of double superphosphate. I breed mullein in a ratio of 1:10. By autumn, the plants reach 60-80 cm.
If it is not possible to buy fresh seeds, then I definitely leave several pots of stevia for the winter, which I keep at home and use as mother plants for cutting green cuttings.
Rooting cuttings of stevia. © Chris
The green cutting is part of a young shoot with buds and leaves. I harvest them from well-developed, healthy stevia plants that are at least two months old. The best time for cutting cuttings is from mid-May to early June.
I cut the shoots so that a stump with two to four leaves remains on the stevia mother plant. Then, from the buds located in the axils of the leaves, 2-4 stems up to 60-80 cm long grow by autumn, the leaves of which can be used as food.
For rooting, a green stem of stevia must have three to five internodes, of which the upper ones are with leaves, and the lower ones are without them. I root stevia cuttings in a glass or enamel container with water or a 1% sugar solution (one teaspoon per 1 liter of water). I close the jar with black material so that the rays of the sun do not fall into it: in the dark, the cuttings take root better. On top of the jar I put cardboard with holes in which I put the cuttings so that the lower internode without leaves is immersed in water, and the leaves do not touch it and remain in the air. I cover the cuttings with a larger transparent jar or part of a plastic bottle.
I change the water after 3 days, and for better rooting, I spray the stevia leaves with water or a 1% sugar solution three times a day. At a temperature of 18..25°C roots grow in a week. And when they reach 5-8 cm (in two weeks), I plant stevia on a bed in a greenhouse or in pots and keep the seedlings under a film for a week. Before rooting cuttings, the soil should be moist.
Stevia honey. © Irwin Goldman
Mature plants accumulate glycoside in the sun. However, young stevia and unrooted cuttings die under its rays. Therefore, I shade the bed with gauze or other material. I use soil and care for rooted stevia in the same way as for grown from seeds. I water as needed, but at least once a week. 3 months after the rooting of green cuttings, stevia shoots reach a length of 60-80 cm.
Fresh and shade-dried stevia leaves are poured with boiling water and insisted for 2-3 hours. I use the infusion for making compotes, coffee, cereals, and confectionery.
Stevia leaves are 300 times sweeter than sugar and contain more than 50 substances useful for the human body: mineral salts (calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, cobalt, manganese); vitamins P, A, E, C; beta-carotene, amino acids, essential oils, pectins.
The uniqueness of stevia lies in the combination of vitamins and trace elements with high sweetness and low calorie content. Therefore, drinks and products with stevia are used to control body weight, with diabetes.
As a sweetener, it is widely used in Japan, and in the United States and Canada, it is used as a food additive. Medical research shows good results using stevia for the treatment of obesity and hypertension.
Often cited on the internet is a 1985 study stating that steviosides and rebaudiosides (found in stevia) allegedly cause mutations and, as a result, are a carcinogen.
However, there have been many detailed and comprehensive studies that do not support this claim. In particular, in 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a comprehensive assessment of experimental studies conducted on animals and humans, and made the following conclusion: "steviosides and rebaudiosides are non-genotoxic, the genotoxicity of steviol and some of its oxidative derivatives has not been detected in natural conditions" . The report also found no evidence of carcinogenicity of the product. The report also states the beneficial properties: "stevioside has demonstrated a certain pharmacological effect in patients with hypertension and in those suffering from type 2 diabetes."
Used material on the cultivation of stevia: G. Vorobyova
Today's article is dedicated to all those who would like to see a useful and sweet plant at home or in the country.
Growing stevia at home is quite possible, it will take a little patience and care, which will help you get your own natural sweetener at home.
Also, many healing and irreplaceable decoctions and syrups can be prepared from this herb, the recipes of which I will present at the end of the article.
Stevia is an exotic and heat-loving plant, but you should not pay attention to prejudice, because it will get along well in the Russian climate.
In the northern countries where the plant comes from, the planting of annual stevia is becoming more and more practiced. You can order this sweet grass only in trusted online stores.
The price of one bag of stevia seeds is about 50 rubles.
It is almost impossible to immediately grow stevia in open areas due to its low frost resistance. At the first cold weather, this tropical plant will die. To prevent such situations, it must be grown in the house, and later transferred to the open ground with grown seedlings.
Stevia seedlings are very popular with gardeners; this method of planting is considered more reliable. However, growing this plant with seeds is also quite realistic, you just need to know some of its features.
After buying seeds, first of all, it is worth checking the presence of empty seeds in the package. The fact is that in a temperate climate, 70% of the seeds are empty and completely unsuitable for cultivation.
Checking if the seed is full is quite simple: drop each one from a distance of 50-60 cm from the floor and watch how they fall - full seeds will fall faster, empty ones will dive smoothly to the ground.
The first ones should be selected for planting.
Stevia is a capricious plant, so it may not like ordinary garden soil. In order to create ideal conditions for seedlings, we add humus or compost to the black soil in a ratio of 3: 1.
If you think the soil is too clayey, add some sand. You can also use purchased soil - sweet grass will readily grow in it.
Ideal soil compositions for stevia:
Attention! You can not press the seeds into the ground, just gently scatter them on the surface of the soil.
After that, we remove the container with the seeds under glass, a jar or a film, thereby creating a greenhouse effect. With a good set of circumstances, the first sprouts will appear in 5-7 days.
After the first millimeters of blooms appear on the surface of the earth, it is necessary to start hardening them: remove the glass and put the container or any other container in a warm, dry and calm place.
Periodically spray young shoots with water at room temperature.
In the phase of 2-3 true leaves, seedlings can be dived into a greenhouse or left to grow in the house. In the latter version, a wide pot is required for planting seedlings (stevia's root system grows in breadth).
Stevia is a capricious plant in terms of care. While the seeds have just germinated, and it is still far from planting in open ground, it is necessary to keep the plants in the right conditions.
The best time for transplanting stevia in open ground is the end of March - the beginning of April (the plant grows ideally with an 8-hour daylight).
When Stevia reaches 20 cm in height, the plant can be planted in the country in the open field. Before planting, it is necessary to carry out the formation of seedlings. To do this, you need a few secrets.
We cut (form) the plant:
After completing all the previous points, and making sure that the stevia is quite healthy and will survive on garden soil, it can be planted.
Stevia care is considered easy: we regularly loosen the soil and “feed” the plant every 10-12 days.
Attention! With the advent of winter, when the temperature is already a little below +10 ° C, stevia must be removed to the greenhouse or transferred home before warming.
Do not rush to throw away unnecessary cuttings after pruning young plants - in the future they will facilitate the process of propagation of stevia.
To root stevia cuttings, you must:
After planting the cuttings, cover them with foil for at least a week. We care for stevia cuttings in the same way as for seedlings obtained from seeds: we regularly spray with fertilizer and try not to overmoisten or dry out the soil (Stevia can simply die).
These were the general rules for growing any kind of stevia. As for honey grass, this species is distinguished by the ability to harvest it.
It is necessary to harvest honey stevia at the beginning and at the end of summer.
For this:
There are not so many ways to prepare decoctions and syrups from honey stevia - this plant appeared with us relatively recently. I offer some of the most popular recipes for using stevia.
Most often, sweet grass is consumed with tea.
To prepare the syrup, an infusion is needed. To prepare it you need:
Bring the finished infusion to a thickening in a water bath. After a drop of such syrup does not spread on a plate, you can remove the liquid from the fire.
The finished liquid improves immunity and serves as an antibacterial agent. The resulting syrup is 100 times sweeter than sugar. Use stevia syrup should be with tea or just with water (4-5 drops per glass of liquid).
Now you are convinced that growing such a capricious plant as stevia is not at all difficult! It is enough to know some features of its cultivation. But the result will pay off handsomely: you will get an excellent substitute for ordinary lemon balm or mint, as well as an excellent sugar substitute.
Remember that Stevia will always come in handy: in the spring it will help get rid of beriberi, in the summer it will have an antibacterial effect, well, in the winter it will not let you get sick and give you pleasant memories of hot, fragrant tea.
Avid summer residents or lovers of healthy herbs will always find a place to grow tasty and healthy plants. A bush with green paired leaves and small white flowers is stevia. Connoisseurs of natural supplements managed to fall in love with this honey grass in our country. The growing period for Stevia is 16-18 weeks (from sowing to harvesting the leaves). Of these, the seedling period lasts about 9 weeks.
Interest in this plant is fully justified, because it is a natural sweetener. The main component of honey grass is the stevioside component, which is hundreds of times sweeter than ordinary sugar. The only difference is that there is no harm from such a miracle of nature at all. A useful plant can be easily purchased at any pharmacy, but can it be compared with the leaves of a bush grown on its own plot?
If you want to plant honey grass on your site, you should consider that this plant belongs to a tropical species and does not tolerate winter well in central Russia. It is necessary to transfer the stevia indoors for this period, otherwise the plant will simply freeze and die. One of the most fundamental conditions for caring for a bush is the optimal level of heat and light that ensures the vital activity of the bush. Growing sweet grass in an apartment is a great way to solve health problems in yourself or loved ones without resorting to expensive medicines.
To grow stevia at home, you can place a flowerpot with shrubs on the windows located in the southern part. The same condition should be observed in the summer cottage: when planting a plant in open ground, it is preferable to place the beds on the southern slope.
Despite the benefits and sweetness of stevia, gardeners are not yet actively interested in this herb. At the same time, several of its varieties can already be distinguished. Most popular:
Less popular, but also well-known varieties of stevia: Uslada, Sofia, Ramon sweets. When processing raw materials, we use advanced technologies and precise recipes to eliminate bitterness and preserve the beneficial properties of the herb.
Despite the fact that the plant comes from South American countries, it can be grown outdoors in Russia. Root rot, which is formed as a result of high humidity and heavy rains, will inevitably lead to the death of honey grass.
In central Russia, stevia seeds are grown mainly using seedlings. Sowing is done in the spring, in early April. At home, honey grass grows and develops within 2 months.
As a top dressing for shrubs (3 times a season), it is recommended to use urea or saltpeter. The first pruning of stevia is carried out during the budding period, with this approach it will be possible to collect an additional crop of leaves before the onset of frost.
Timely and proper watering of the plant is the key to good health of stevia and a rich harvest of leaves. Depending on weather conditions, it is optimal to carry out the procedure 1 or 2 times a week. The soil under the shrub should be constantly moist.
Fortunately, in central Russia, stevia is practically not threatened by any diseases and pests. Serious troubles can only be delivered by the black leg, which attacks the plant at the seedling stage. In order to avoid infection, the soil should be disinfected.
Stevia should not overwinter in the open field - this is the main criterion that should be considered if you decide to plant a plant on your site.
The roots left after harvesting must be dug up before the onset of cold weather. Then they are laid in 1 layer and covered with a mixture of soil and sand, so that only stumps remain on the surface. Perlite preserves the roots in the best way, so it is recommended to use it for winter storage of the plant.
The peculiarity of stevia is that in the first year of life it develops very slowly. Bushes are recommended to save and grow next year.
The roots of the plant are best stored on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator or in a cool cellar. Several shrubs can be planted in flowerpots and grown on a windowsill, providing stevia with optimal light and watering conditions. After a short period of time, the grass will again give a crop of sweet leaves.
Despite the fact that the plant is practically not susceptible to infection and attack by pests, additional feeding of stevia will not hurt. For this purpose, slurry or fresh mullein is well suited.
Watering with boiled rather than raw water has a positive effect on the cultivation of stevia. Leaves are best collected as needed, and first of all, those leaves that have curled edges.
If you follow fairly simple rules for caring for a plant, it will definitely answer you with gratitude and give you more than one harvest of sweet leaves. They can be used for biological food additives, preparation of infusions or healing decoctions, brewing delicious tea.
In addition, we offer a wide range of finished stevia products, which you can simply buy on our website.
In our electronic catalog you can buy a variety of plant-based products:
 Powder (stevioside) |  Sachet |  Pills |
 |  |  Stevia syrup and other types of goods |
All our products are manufactured using the most advanced technologies in the field of extract purification, therefore they do not have a bitter aftertaste.
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For amateur gardeners, Stevia is better known as Honey Grass. It is used to decorate flower beds, it looks great in flowerpots and flowerpots. In addition, Stevia is a plant that boasts a wealth of health benefits and nutrients.
More than 250 types of Stevia, belonging to the Astrov family, are known. The birthplace of Stevia is America, its mountainous and lowland regions. It is here, in the wild, that most plant species grow. Stevia got its name in honor of the botanist Stevus, who discovered and studied it back in the 16th century. Another scientist-traveler Antonio Bertoni, visiting Paraguay, saw how local aborigines from Stevia honey prepared various drinks that were very pleasant to the taste.
After studying this amazing plant, scientists have found that Stevia is an excellent sugar substitute. For example, if you put a couple of leaves of this plant in tea, you can no longer put sugar. The fact is that Stevia contains steviozoid - a substance that exceeds the sweetness of sugar several times.
Today, the most popular type of Stevia is honey. It is a semi-shrub growing up to 80 cm in height. The plant is strongly branched, has a powerful root system. Leaves - paired, elongated; flowers - small in size, white.
Stevia refers to plants that prefer warm conditions for normal growth. Therefore, the area where it is planned to grow it must be bright, protected from wind and drafts. The most favorable air temperature for the normal development of the plant should be + 22 ° C.
The soil for Stevia can be any, but always light and loose. In this regard, the plant is not at all pretentious. The only thing is that it does not tolerate highly saline and peaty areas, but it feels great on sandy soil, especially if fertilizer is added to the soil.
Legumes are excellent predecessors for Stevia.
In order to grow Stevia from seeds at home, you will have to make an effort, devote some time to it and, of course, take care of it. The fact is that the plant is very capricious, it requires constant special attention to itself. Stevia - growing seedlings at home
Start growing seedlings in April. The main actions are as follows:
At the initial stage of their development, seedlings are very thin, fragile, and therefore they must be handled very carefully. Water with care so as not to damage the sprouts. Strictly ensure that the soil is not too dry, but not too wet. It is best to put containers with seedlings for a while in a pan filled with water.
Attention! Stevia is a selfish plant. It does not like anyone to be near it, and therefore it is necessary to remove other plants from it.
Growing seedlings of Stevia, you should ensure that there are no drafts in the room.
As soon as the seedlings reach 12 cm, it is necessary to pinch their tops. They are shortened by about 3-4 cm.
A month before transplanting seedlings to a permanent place, it will need to be hardened, and for this it should be taken out to fresh air daily, but provided that the weather at this time is warm and calm.
The most difficult moment in growing Stevia is its "resettlement" in open ground. If you do not take this action with all responsibility, then all the work spent on growing seedlings can be reduced to zero.
Seedlings should be planted only when the sunny, warm weather is finally established. By this time, the site should already be prepared. It will need to be dug up, loosened well, cleaned of unnecessary rhizomes, weeds.
After that, 10-centimeter holes are made in the garden. The distance between them should be 40 cm or more. It is desirable to add humus to each well. After that, the seedling is carefully removed from the container along with a clod of earth and very carefully, so as not to damage the roots, is placed in a hole, sprinkled with soil, rammed, watered.
While the sprouts will get used to the new place, grow stronger, the bed will need to be covered with covering material or film.
In order for the plant to develop well, it will need to be watered in a timely manner (if the weather is not rainy - 3-4 times a week); remove all weeds, as it does not "get along" with its neighbors; loosen; Fertilize twice a month with fertilizers containing nitrogen.
After 4 months, you can harvest Stevia.
Attention! So that the leaves and stems of Stevia do not lose their sweetness, they can be dried for no more than 12 hours.
Dry leaves should be stored in closed containers. They are very useful and widely used in folk medicine, in particular, they are recommended for strengthening immunity, treating cardiovascular diseases, speeding up wound healing, lowering cholesterol, and so on.
