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Stevia — Herbs | DarkGrow Seed Bank

Name: Stevia
Brand: DarkGrow Seed Bank

100-120days to harvest

7-21days to germinate

Z10–11USDA zones

Moderatedifficulty

HeirloomContainer friendly

Sowing

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Seeds are tiny and need light to germinate. Transplant after all danger of frost has passed.

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: Consistent moisture, avoid waterlogged conditions
Soil: Well-draining, sandy loam with good organic content
Soil pH: 6.7-7.2
Spacing: 12-18 inches
Height: 12-24 inches
Season: Tender Perennial

Appearance & flavour

Colour: Bright green serrated leaves with small white flowers
Size: Small to medium leaves, 1-2 inches long
Shape: Bushy, upright growth with oval, toothed leaves
Flavour: Intensely sweet with slight licorice aftertaste, some varieties have bitter notes

In the kitchen

Natural sweetener for beverages, baking substitute, fresh in teas, dried and powdered for storage

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites
Diseases: Root rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew
Resistance: Generally resistant, susceptible to root rot in wet conditions

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
9	January – February	March – April	—	April – December
10	January	February – April	—	April – December
11	January	January – March	—	March – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

BasilRepels aphids and whiteflies that commonly attack stevia

MarigoldDeters nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

CilantroAttracts beneficial predatory insects and provides ground cover

ChivesNatural pest deterrent that repels aphids and improves soil health

OreganoRepels common garden pests and has similar growing requirements

ParsleyAttracts beneficial insects and provides companion harvesting opportunities

NasturtiumActs as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

ThymeNatural fungicide properties help prevent disease spread

Avoid

MintAggressive spreader that can overwhelm stevia and compete for nutrients

Black WalnutProduces juglone toxin that inhibits stevia growth and development

FennelAllelopathic properties inhibit growth of most companion plants including stevia

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 23
Protein (g): 3.15
Fat (g): 0.64
Carbohydrate (g): 2.65
Fibre (g): 1.6
Sugars (g): 0.3
Vitamin A (µg): 264
Vitamin C (mg): 18
Vitamin E (mg): 0.8
Vitamin K (µg): 415
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.155
Folate (µg): 68
Calcium (mg): 177
Iron (mg): 3.17
Magnesium (mg): 64
Phosphorus (mg): 56
Potassium (mg): 295
Zinc (mg): 0.81
Selenium (µg): 0.3

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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the herbs growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

Stevia

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown Stevia?

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