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Herbaceous Perennial

Stevia rebaudiana

candyleaf

Stevia rebaudiana is a tender, bushy perennial often grown as an annual crop with dark green, elliptic to lance-shaped leaves that may be harvested for use as a natural sweetener and loose clusters of tubular white flowers

Other common names

caa-ehe

Synonyms

Stevia rebaudiana 'Candyleaf'

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Prefers a sandy soil in a warm, sunny position; can be treated as a an half-hardy annual and planted outside after all risk of frost has passed

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to thrips

Diseases

May be affected by a virus disease

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