I grew it in San Jose (9b) this summer, I thought the cold killed it but maybe it is just short lived. It doesn't taste great IMO, tastes like artificial sweetener (ironic no?)

Ok,my friends,I think everyone need some details about Stevia Plant.
First:Stevia is more sweet in the morning.
Second:If you have cholesterol or diabetes,eating two fresh leaves a day,in six month all this problems going out.
Third: When you collect Stevia for dried,the best time is with Fool moon.At that time ,all the chemical of this plant or any other are in the top or the plant.
Four:The plant can live between four and seven years,and from the same plant you can have between 2000 to 5000 new plants in the life time of the plant.
Fifth: The best time to collect leaves to dried and use as a sweetener is when the weather is cold.
Six:Stevia can grow ,even in Yukon ,Alaska(inside,off course),in pots.
For more information,be free to cal me at any time at 561-633-8751 or send a email at moringaplace@yahoo.com or come to visit us in 1021 C Rd. Loxahatchee,Florida,33470
I`m enjoy to help any body with our three main special plant like Stevia,Moringa Oleifera and Comfrey.
George

Dear Friends,

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This is absolutely amazing! My climate is about a 9 I was wondering where I can get seeds to try and grow stevia?

Thanks moringaplace for the information. I just bought a spindly little stevia plant and have little idea what to do with it. I just got it so my daughter could try a leaf and be amazed.

You can buy stevia plants from most big box retailers these days. Last year I saw it all over Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc.

I worked at a nursery for 8 months and got some of the owner's throw-away plants. I was thrilled to get a whole tray of old stevia. I killed the first stevia plant I bought years ago from Home Depot. But, I never got the sweetness when I put the stevia leaves in my tea. it DOES taste artificial. And, even though I was able to overwinter the plants for 2 years, I gave up since I didn't find them useful. Maybe you have to dry a LOT of the leaves and then powder them to get the sweetness.

I drink lots of tea I brew from the herbs in my yard, and I like and use stevia - fresh in the summer growing season, and dried in my tea blends during the winter. The sweetness in stevia doesn't really come out well in the typical three or four minute steep. I learned from a midwife years ago about drawing out the most beneficial elements in herbal teas that they should be steeped for a longer time. I am usually steeping overnight, or all during the day while I'm at work. I usually then put it in a bottle in the fridge or heat some in a cup to drink. The sweetness in stevia comes out nicely in blends with other herbs and things with the longer steep.

Hi

I've grown stevia for many years even before it was okayed by the FDA lol

Grows very easily for me and off sets are very easy. Does require a lot of water so I grow it in pots but do have a small bed started in my sand lol

I wanted to use it mainly for iced tea but have never found an effective way to get the sweetness.. Drying and chopping was best Mostly use it on salads

moringaplace i' m diabetic and had no effect on my sugar levels. Still have to rely on metformin and Januvia daily. I love it mixed with peppermint on ice cream lol There seems to be a form that produces a bush ,therefore more leaves but have been unable to locate one. gary

I grew stevia for a few years, and found that muddling it like one would muddle mint was the best way to get the sweetness. I found it too sweet and a tiny bit went a long way, so I don't grow it any more. The space is better used for other things in my garden.

How do you muddle?

I get lots of sweetness from the stevia when I make herbal teas, but I steep my tea for longer times. I usually pile handfulls of herbs in the teapot, including the stevia, maybe some green tea, and then I pour on the near boiling water. I let it steep until cool, then pour into containers and place in the fridge. I almost always then brew a second pot, sometimes adding something, and steep it again overnight. In the morning I mix the first run and second run. With just a sprig of stevia I get a very nice sweetness that goes great with all the other herbal flavors I may include in any particular pot. It works just as well dried in the herbal blends I preserve for winter use.