Growing Stevia in Texas: My First Experience with Nature's Sweet Leaf

You've heard me talk about artificial sweetners. I've blogged about my experience meeting the inventor of Splenda and the research team here in Austin.

Well, my husband reminded me something I had long forgotten. Years ago, we used to work for a PLASTIC'S company in Lubbock, Texas. We operated injection molding machines and mass produced plastic components for cars, radar devices, holiday ornaments, and... get this (what I had forgotten) SUGAR SUBSTITUTES! Yes, the stuff you add to your drinks and desserts. We were a plastic's firm packaging sugar. We didn't create the stuff, but I found it odd that we handled it. After all, Frito Lay was just down the street.

I had forgotten this.

A Little History of Stevia

Stevia is a sweet herb native to South America and has been used for centuries by the Guaraní people of Paraguay and Brazil. Often called "sweet leaf," the plant was traditionally added to teas and beverages because of its naturally sweet taste.

Interest in stevia spread to other parts of the world during the twentieth century, and today it is grown in many countries, including China, Paraguay, Brazil, and parts of the United States. In warm climates, stevia can be grown as a garden plant and harvested for its leaves.

Growing Stevia in Texas

One of the things that interested me most about stevia was that it can be grown in many parts of Texas. Like other tender herbs, stevia prefers warm weather and plenty of sunlight. While it can be challenging to start from seed, many gardeners have success growing it from young plants.

For homesteaders and gardeners, growing your own sweet herbs can be an interesting way to experiment with traditional plants that have been used around the world for generations.

Stevia thrives in WARM and humid climates. 

From what I've read, it is hard to germinate, so several seeds need to be planted. I ordered thousands of seeds from Uruguay.

I had the opportunity to try some Stevia this weekend, in ground leaf form, and was very amazed at how good and sweet it tasted!

After learning more about stevia and trying it for myself, I found that I enjoyed its sweetness and became interested in growing it as part of my garden.