Everything You Need to Know About Stevia — Care, Propagation & More
Your complete Filipino gardener’s guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting Stevia — from seed to table.
What Can You Eat?
Discover the edible parts and how Filipinos enjoy this plant in everyday cooking.
Leaves are 30-40x sweeter than sugar with zero calories. Use fresh leaves to sweeten tea, juice, or desserts. Dried and powdered leaves can replace sugar in cooking.
Stevia is gaining popularity in the Philippines as a natural sugar alternative, especially among diabetic-conscious Filipinos. Grown commercially in Benguet and Bukidnon. DA promotes it as a cash crop for highland farmers.
Germination Guide
From seed to sprout — here’s what to expect and how to get started.
Planting Instructions
Everything you need to prepare — soil, spacing, depth, and the best Philippine planting months.
Propagation Methods
Learn the best ways to multiply your plants — from seeds to cuttings.
Care Guide
Keep your plant happy and thriving with the right light, water, and nutrients.
Full sun to partial shade
Regular; keep evenly moist but never soggy
Light compost application monthly; avoid over-fertilizing
20-30°C
Moderate; sensitive to waterlogging
Pinch tips to encourage bushy growth; replace plants every 2-3 years.
Harvest Guide
Know when and how to harvest for the best yield and flavor.
Harvest leaves just before flowering for maximum sweetness. Pick individual leaves or cut stems.
Dry leaves in shade; store in airtight container. Powder dried leaves for sugar substitute.
Common Problems & Solutions
Spot issues early and fix them fast.
Root rot
Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage
Solution: Improve drainage; water only when top soil is dry.
Aphids
Cause: Attracted to sweet plant sap
Solution: Spray neem oil; introduce ladybugs.
Declining sweetness
Cause: Old plants or post-flowering leaves
Solution: Harvest before flowering; replace plants every 2-3 years.
Perfect Plant Partners
Plants that grow well together.
