How to Grow Stevia Plants and Dry the Leaves

Planting

• 1

  Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the stevia plant, and no deeper than the plant's soil line.

• 2

  Set the plant in the center of the hole and fill in around the roots with the soil you removed from the hole. Fill the hole until it is level with the surrounding soil. Firm the soil gently with your hands.

• 3

  Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch.

• 4

  Water thoroughly.

Care

• 5

  Check the soil weekly for moisture. Stevia doesn't like wet soil, but it has a shallow root system and dries out more quickly than most plants. Mulch helps prevent drying out.

• 6

  Apply a complete liquid fertilizer monthly during summer.

• 7

  Pinch off the tips of the stems every two to three weeks to encourage a bushy growth habit with lots of foliage.

• 8

  Remove buds and flowers right away. Plants that are allowed to flower lose their sweetness.

Processing

• 9

  Pull up the plant early on a fall morning before the first frost. The cool temperatures and short days of fall intensify the sweetness, so wait as long as possible.

• 10

  Remove the leaves and spread them out to dry in the sun. The leaves become crispy when dry. Drying takes about 24 hours.

• 11

  Grind the leaves with a mortar and pestle or in an electric spice grinder.

• 12

  Place the leaves in a clean, dry airtight jar for storage. Keep the jar out of direct sunlight. Stevia keeps for years in an airtight container.