Stevia...

[Greenthumb18]

Have you heard of the herb called Sweet Stevia, its leaves are 10 times sweeter than sugar. I'm interested in getting a plant, it would be interesting to sweeten drinks with it and no calories like granulated sugar. The only thing though is that its only hardy in zone 10, so will go in a pot and be brought indoors for winter.

 

[digitS']

I have certainly heard of it (as I've heard of quite a few things "Steve" ).

I purchased about 6 plants for my diabetic mother. It grew easily and lushly . . . but, she wouldn't use it.

Even tho' she was a daily tea drinker, sweetening had to be honey. Besides, the stevia had something of a "green" taste to it. I think it would have been better if it had been dried before use.

Mom is gone now but I've "threatened" to get stevia for myself - seems appropriate, don't you think . I, uh, drink quite a bit of herb tea, especially during the winter. However, keeping it alive thru the winter isn't something I look forward to. We already struggle with the rosemary and lemon verbena. Perhaps, it would be suitable to think of it as an annual.

Steve's digits

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Hi digitS'

I've been looking into Stevia -- BUT it's so expensive to buy here !!!!! It seems to be the MUST HAVE plant this year So I will wait awhile till the price goes down a bit.

My Lemon Verbena plant arrived with other plants yesterday -- Lovely ! BUT that's another post -- Sorry!! Nearly high-jacked AGAIN....!! Apologies...... !!!!


:rose Hattie :rose

 

[Grow 4 Food]

I got mine at Lowe's. Not sure what I am going to do with it yet (other than plucking and eating).

 

[wifezilla]

I buy dry leaf in bulk at the local hippy infested health food store. Some of the processes stuff has a very strange taste to it.

I can't grow it in my area without a lot of special care, so I just will keep buying the leaf.

It is $26/lb, but if you buy the leaves, you get quite a lot in a bag. I use it in tea and for dishes that need just a touch of sweetness...stir fry, etc...

 

[HiDelight]

LOL hey I resemble that "hippie infested" remark Wifezilla!!!


I grew stevia ..it grew very well here last year ..I had a HUGE bush when the summer ended ..I hung it dried it and used it mostly in iced tea

it is a nice plant!!!

 

[freshfood]

I ordered some seeds, have 10 or 12 seedlings in a big pot. We'll see how it does. I plan to keep it potted, as I doubt it would survive our winters. I think I did read that the leaves should be dried before use, to make it more concentrated?

I'm not diabetic, just curious. I also started some horehound, I have 6 seedlings...

 

[digitS']

Horehound !!

I can barely remember what the candy tasted like!

Steve

 

[Hattie the Hen]

freshfood: Hi!

Where did you order your Stevia seeds from? Because maybe I could buy some & grow my own. It costs too much here in the UK & besides I like growing from seed.

Happy Gardening everyone! :happy_flower



:rose Hattie :rose

 

[wifezilla]

Disregard my previous post...I found a plant at Walmart for $3 and bought it. Lets see how long I can keep it alive

It's going in to a pot I can take inside in winter.