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Candyleaf Stevia rebaudiana

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
STEE-vee-uh re-bawd-ee-AH-nuh
Description

Sweetleaf is a tender perennial in the aster family and is native to warm humid climates in South America. It reaches 1-2 feet tall and is typically grown for its leaves from which a sweetener is made. Flowers are generally pruned to improve the flavor of the leaves.

This plant needs sandy well-drained but moist soil in sun to partial shade. In NC it can be grown as an annual or brought indoors for the winter. Cuttings can also be taken.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#white flowers#edible leaves#annual herb#sweet taste#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#herb garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#white flowers#edible leaves#annual herb#sweet taste#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#herb garden
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Stevia
    Species:
    rebaudiana
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil, Paraguay
    Edibility:
    Leaves are highly edible and used as a sweetener. They can be eaten off the plant, used in teas or dried.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    The tubular flowers are white with light purple accents and borne in terminal clusters. Prune off flowers for better-tasting leaves
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1-inch opposite, slender oblong leaves have a pronounced midrib.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green thin stems can be somewhat floopy
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Garden for the Blind