The water requirement of the sweet herb
Stevia plants love the alternation between wetness and dryness and thrive optimally under these conditions. You should therefore water the honey herb regularly and then let the ball of the pot dry until it only feels slightly damp inside (thumb test). However, you should absolutely avoid waterlogging, to which the sweet herb is very sensitive.
also read
- The wintering of the stevia plant
- This is how the South American stevia plant is grown
- Dry stevia leaves - sweetness without regrets all year round
Fertilize moderately
Fertilize Use the stevia plant extremely sparingly, because like many herbs, stevia becomes susceptible to disease if there is an oversupply of nutrients. Fertilize once a month at most during the growing season and do not use any additional fertilizers for at least a quarter of a year after repotting.
Repot regularly
Stevia in pot culture always has to be repotted when the plant has become too big for its old planter. The sweet herb needs a lot of space to develop freely and forms strong, flat storage roots. Therefore, choose generous pots or bowls. Normal is suitable as a plant substrate
Potting soil or special herbal soil.Cutting ensures strong growth
Shorten the sweet leaf regularly during the summer months so that the plant grows stronger and bushier. Before the first cool nights announce autumn, you should cut the stevia back to a length of about ten centimeters.
Common pests and diseases:
With proper care, stevia is a very insensitive herb. The sweet herb reacts to overfertilization with unstable stems and weakly developed, light green leaves. In this case, do not fertilize the plant for a few weeks. Light, white spots on the underside of the leaves indicate this mildew or white rust. Cut back these shoots or use suitable means to combat the plant disease.
Overwinter stevia:
Since stevia is sensitive to frost, the sweet herb can not be overwintered outdoors. In autumn, dig up the stevia before the first night frosts and overwinter the plant in a bright place.
Tips & Tricks
Stevia is very valuable for people who are not allowed to or do not want to consume sugar. Use the herb very sparingly, however, as overdosing it develops a slightly bitter-sweet taste.
