Stevia , also known as Stevia rebaudiana , belong to the Asteraceae family . This family unit is commonly referred to as the aster or daisy family and is one of the enceinte plant families , comprising around 230 specie of the Stevia genus . These plants are distributed across a full range , from the southerly United States to the South American Andean realm .
Stevia rebaudiana , native to Paraguay , is the most well - known and commercially relevant member of the Stevia genus . It is a repeated herb that has make popularity due to its intensely sweet flavor . The sweetness is attributed to a radical of chemical compound known as steviol glycosides , with the most prominent one being stevioside .
As a gardening and landscaping expert , I have had personal experiences growing Stevia rebaudiana in my own garden . It is a relatively sluttish industrial plant to cultivate , and its compact sizing makes it desirable for both outdoor and indoor gardening . The plant has small , green leaves and bring on modest , white flowers in cluster .
One interesting scene of Stevia rebaudiana is its ability to put up a variety of growing shape . It can adapt to different grease types , pasture from sandy to loamy , as long as it is well - draining . However , it thrives well in productive soil with a slightly acidic to impersonal pH.
In terms of sun requirements , Stevia rebaudiana prefers full Dominicus but can suffer partial tone . It is important to provide the plant with at least six hour of sunlight per twenty-four hour period for optimal growth and sweetness of the leaves .
Stevia rebaudiana is a herbaceous perennial , meaning it can live for multiple years . In colder climate , it may die back in winter but will regrow from the base in the following spring . It is intrepid in USDA zones 9 - 11 , but can also be grown as an annual in dusty regions .
When it comes to harvesting Stevia rebaudiana , the leaf are the main fair game . They can be harvested throughout the mature time of year , but the highest density of steviol glycoside is usually found in the mature leaves . To reap , simply snip off the leaves close to the stem . The leaves can be used clean or dry for later use .
Stevia rebaudiana has gained popularity as a lifelike choice to sugar due to its intensely fresh appreciation and downcast - large calorie content . It can be used as a come-on in various culinary applications , such as beverages , desserts , and adust commodity . Many people also savor adding fresh Stevia forget to their Camellia sinensis or coffee for a innate and kilocalorie - gratuitous sweet .
Stevia rebaudiana belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a Paraguayan herb that produces the intensely sweet stevioside compound . It is a various and easy - to - grow plant that can be cultivated in a variety of growing conditions . Its leaves are the main part used for their sweetening holding , and they can be harvested throughout the uprise time of year . Stevia rebaudiana has gain popularity as a raw sugar substitute and can be used in various culinary applications .
Caroline Bates
