How to Care for Stevia rebaudiana (Candyleaf)

Korean name: 스테비아

A natural sweetener plant that is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. You can enjoy sweetness without calories by adding the leaves to tea or using them in cooking.

Key facts

Care Guide

Detailed care guide

Stevia is an herb whose leaves have a naturally sweet taste, and it's easy to grow indoors too.

Watering

It's best to water once the soil surface has dried. Overwatering can turn the leaves yellow or mushy, so be careful. Watering too little can cause the leaf tips to dry out and turn brown.

Light

Grow it somewhere it can get about 6–8 hours of good sunlight a day. If light is lacking, the stems can stretch out and become weak and leggy. As bright a spot as possible is best.

Humidity

It's best to keep humidity at 50% or above. If humidity drops too low, the leaves can dry out or the tips can wilt. If your indoor humidity is low, use misting or similar methods.

Temperature

It grows well between 15–30°C. Growth can be affected if the temperature is too low or too high, so be careful. It's also best to avoid sudden temperature changes.

A common first-timer mistake

When watering, the soil surface may look dry while the inside is still moist. Press the soil surface gently with a finger and water only when it truly feels dry.

If you have pets

Stevia has no known toxicity to pets. That said, eating too much of any plant can cause an upset stomach, so move it out of reach if your pet chews on it habitually.

Care by Season

Stevia grows fastest from spring through summer, so pay extra attention to care during this period. Fertilizing once a month helps it grow even fresher. In fall and winter, growth slows, so naturally reduce both watering and fertilizing frequency as well.

Common Problems and Fixes

Too much or too little water shows up as changes in the leaves. With overwatering, the leaves turn mushy or yellow; with dryness, the leaf tips can turn brown. If light is lacking, the stems grow thin and long, so keep it somewhere bright enough.

Repotting and Propagation

The soil should be fertile and well-draining. If the roots start to look cramped in the pot, repot it, and you can propagate it by cutting a healthy leaf or stem and planting it in a new pot. When using new soil, pay attention to drainage as well.

Who It's Great For

Stevia is easy to care for, making it a great match for anyone starting out with herbs. It's a great recommendation for anyone who wants to enjoy its natural sweetness or grow some greenery indoors. It's also fun to check in on often and watch its small changes over time.

Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.

Common questions

How often should you water Stevia rebaudiana?

Water when the surface of the soil is dry. Roughly every 5 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.

Where should you keep Stevia rebaudiana?

It likes Sunlight for 6~8 hours. You can grow it indoors. Use Fertile soil with good drainage.

Is Stevia rebaudiana safe around pets?

No known toxicity, so it is fine to keep around pets.

Is Stevia rebaudiana good for beginners?

Difficulty: Easy. It is forgiving enough for a first plant. Keep it around 15~30°C. Humidity: Above 50%. Fertilise Once a month in spring and summer.