Stevia Plant, Stevia rebaudiana – Plant

Ornamental Use:

• The plant is used for ornamental purpose

Medicinal Use:

• Stevia herb parts are very low in calories
• Parts by parts, its dry leaves possess roughly 40 times more sweetness than sugar
• This sweetness quality in stevia is due to several glycoside compounds including stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudiosides A-E, and dulcoside
• Stevioside is a non-carbohydrate glycoside compound
• Hence, it lacks the properties that sucrose and other carbohydrates possess
• Stevia extracts, like rebaudioside-A, are found to be 300 times sweeter than sugar
• Besides, being a near-zero calorie food ingredient, stevia extracts have several unique properties such as long shelf life, high temperature tolerance, non-fermentative

Planting and Caring

Sunlight

• Bright direct sunlight is good for the growth of Turtle vine.

Soil

• The soil should be well drained, fertile and rich in organic content for growing this plant.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Apply 1 cup(approx.50ml) of water when the top soil (1-2 inch) in the pot feels dry to touch.
• Do not overwater the plant.
• As a rule of thumb, water the plants thoroughly in summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.
• Water should be applied preferably in the morning or evening.

Application of Fertilizer

• Before application of fertilizer loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so, it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily.
• Apply organic fertilizer once a month.
• Apply water immediately after application of fertilizer.

Repotting 

• Repot the plant into a slightly larger container every two years.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and discard them away from the plants.
• For any insect attack or disease, you can use Neem oil, Eucalyptus oil or Citrus oil spray for primary treatment.

Don’ts

• Do not overwater the plant specially when pot doesn’t have drainage hole.
• Avoid applying water on leaves in hot afternoon it may cause fungus infection.

Disclaimer : The image is for reference purposes only. The actual product may vary in shape or appearance based on climate, age, height, etc.