How to Grow Stevia in Australia
A warm-season herb crop for the home garden
Growing your own Stevia is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves buying stevia products. One plant sweetens hundreds of cups of tea.
This guide covers when to plant Stevia in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Stevia is a warm-season crop, frost-tender and needs a frost-free run. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October and November. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Stevia rebaudiana
Standard species. Green leaves with intense sweetness. The only edible stevia species.
Try: Herb nurseries, Bunnings (sometimes), online herb suppliers
Position and Soil
Give Stevia full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6.5 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 20cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 20 and 28 degrees.
Stevia rebaudiana. Natural sweetener plant. Leaves are 30-40x sweeter than sugar with zero calories. South American native that grows as a warm-season annual in most of Australia, or year-round in frost-free zones. Pinch tips to encourage bushy growth. Harvest leaves before flowering for peak sweetness.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Few. The main diseases to watch are Root rot in wet. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Stevia is typically ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months). Dry leaves and store in a sealed jar for 12+ months. Fresh leaves fridge 1 week.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, stevia is good fresh leaves added to tea as a sweetener, dried and ground into stevia powder, added to smoothies and used in sugar-free baking (dried leaf). Nutritionally: natural zero-calorie sweetener and does not raise blood sugar.
Companion Planting
Stevia grows well alongside Herbs. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Stevia Growing
Add stevia to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Stevia in Australia?
Stevia is a warm-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in September, October and November. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Stevia take to grow?
Stevia is generally ready to harvest in around 90 days (about 3 months).
Can I grow Stevia in a pot?
Yes. Stevia grows well in a container of 20cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Stevia need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Stevia in the Plant Library
