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Stevia
Stevia rebaudiana
Still time — sow lateherb
Subtropical perennial herb from Paraguay whose leaves are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar with no calories.
In Zone 9b, right now
Still time to plant — it should mature before frost
The usual transplant window (Late February – Late March) has closed, but with about 90 days to harvest there's still enough season left. Get it in now.
Edible?
Yes — herb — leaves & stems
Small space?
Yes — fits a balcony
Sun
Full sun (6+ hrs)
Comes back yearly?
Yes — perennial
Harvest in
90 days
Ways to plant it
Start seeds indoors
Past the ideal window — still time
Late November – Late December
Start seeds in trays now; they only need a few weeks indoors before they go straight out into the warm soil.
Transplant
Past the ideal window — still time
Late February – Late March
Buy a young plant from a nursery, or move one you started indoors, into the ground or a pot.
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