Stevia likes heat and warmth. It thrives in moist but well-draining soil and needs no fertilizing. Once the plant reaches 6-10 inches in height, trimming and pruning can begin in earnest. Before that, trim less radically. Overwinter indoors, as this plant will not tolerate cold and frost.

A sweet option if you are looking for a zero-calorie flavor enhancer, Stevia can be grown on your patio and used for a taste of "sugar" whenever you like. Intensely sweet, the thin lance-shaped leaves are "where the flavor's at"!  Leaves should be trimmed regularly to maintain the bushiness of the plant. When dried and ground, they can be used in culinary applications. Some say they also have medicinal value.