Sweetness without the Calories

Grow the leaves and use fresh as leaves for enhancing and sweetening dishes and drinks.
Alternatively dry, by hanging in a warm airy place, and use whole or grind in a blender or pestel and mortar. Store in an airtight glass jar.

Known by many different names such as Stevia, Sweetleaf, Sugarleaf, Sweet Leaf and widely known as Honigkraut. It is part of the sunflower family, although you wouldn't think this to look at it. Originally native to South and Central America and is now grown mainly for the fantastic sweet tasting leaves. As a sweetener and sugar substitute the taste of the leaves has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar. Having said this some leaves can have up to 300 times the sweetness of sugar and attractive as a low-carbohydrate, low-sugar food alternative.

The Sugarleaf is now becoming a very popular crop for commercial growers and amateur growers alike as it is quite easy to grow and the leaves taste great when stealing one as you walk past. Use the leaves to sweeten your tea and coffee and use the dried leaves in cooking.

The seeds of the Stevia can be sown from March until April in pots and from May if sowing direct. Germination will take up to 2 weeks with a minimum temperature of 22C and the leaves are ready to pick from July until the first frosts. The Stevia can be grown as an annual plant however it can be kept over winter but you have to protect it from frost. Remember that the Stevia originates from southern America so protect it.

It is very important to know that whilst the Stevia is used as a sugar substitute in many countries all over the world and has been for many hundreds of years, it can't be sold as a food ingredient within the UK, only for pharmaceutical use.


If you would like a little help and some further information on growing herbs then please see our information sheet GROWING HERBS.

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