Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a perennial (to be more precise, 'tender perennial in warm climates, treated as an annual in cold climates'). It flowers in late summer and autumn. I've had one for many years, and I quickly learned NOT to let it flower. It will die right down to soil level if you do. Mine always comes back, however. It's a cantankerous thing. It can die on you just to spite you, and it might take up to a year before it comes back again - so never give up on it. It will need some protection from the wind (it may even need staking), and it must have very good drainage. Here in the subtropics, it can die back quite a way in winter, but usually has a few good leaves on it. Our winters are very dry. I keep my stevia in a pot just on the edge of a covered patio, so it's partially protected from the worst of the weather, but where it still gets plenty of sunlight.

More info:
Propagate by seeds or by tip cuttings taken in summer, or root division in spring. Seeds are notoriously infertile and slow to germinate. Flowering usually occurs 54-104 days after transplanting. The plant is climatically suited to climates from temperate to sub-tropical where temperatures range between 21-43C, with an average of 24°C, but it will also grow in the tropics, where it prefers shade and will also grow in cold climates with winter protection. Plants in the ground have been noted to take minimal frosts. It is a somewhat temperamental plant and may be slow to grow at first. Even in ideal conditions, it is not uncommon for plants to die suddenly or to lose their leaves. As long as the roots are alive, the plant may regrow. Poor, loose, well drained soil is recommended. The plants need to be well-mulched so that surface feeder roots do not dry out. For gardeners in cold climates, it is recommended that plants be started in large pots so that the pot can be moved to a warm verandah in winter. In cold climates, the plant may go dormant to the ground. As stevia does not over-winter outdoors in freezing conditions, the roots are lifted in autumn and stored indoors in perlite or sand and then set outside again in spring. Stevia requires regular watering in dry periods but has poor tolerance to long waterlogging or to saline water or soils. In its natural habitat, the plant occurs naturally on acid soils of 4-5 pH but will grow well on soils up to 9 pH. Leaf yields can be increased with a moderate application of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisers. Plants also respond well to liquid seaweed as a foliage spray applied fortnightly. As soon as the plant flowers, the leaf production slows down, so it is an advantage to nip off flower buds, to encourage further leaf development. If the plant is left to flower, the tip leaves take on a slightly bitter overtone. Because of its gangly growth, plant several together for support. Plant will die if left go to flower, so it should be cut back repeatedly to prevent flowering.

Harvesting: Collect leaves as required, preferably in autumn. They can be dried and powdered.

thanks, Ms. Ducks. If this is from the book you are writing/have written, it must really be a gold mine. Hope you are feeling better than poorly these days. It is our New Year tomorrow, so may you and yours be blessed with health and peace and generosity and laughter. Batya

Batya, what a beautiful wish! Thank you.

I continue very unwell and today am off to hospital for one of my regular trips for check-up tests and to see the specialist. I am heartily fed up with the whole thing, and no light at the end of the tunnel.

A Happy New Year and all good blessings to you and yours.

Daisy