Things You'll Need:
- Soaker hose
- Organic mulch
- Fertilizer
- Garden shears
- Stakes (optional)
- String (optional)
- Shading system (optional)
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Step 1
Water your stevia plants once or twice a week in the absence of rain to maintain soil moisture. Stevia plants grow best when grown in moist, but well-drained soil. They respond very well to the slow-drip method of watering. Purchase a soaker hose from your local garden center or turn a regular garden hose on to a slow drip and allow the water to run until the soil is saturated.
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Step 2
Mulch your stevia plants generously to encourage growth. Spread 3 to 6 inches of an organic mulch such as bark pieces, compost, leaves or pine straw around your stevia plants about a month after planting. This will help the soil around your stevia plants retain moisture and stay cooler in hot weather.
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Step 3
Provide partial shade for your stevia plants in hot weather. Though your stevia plants should be given several hours of full sun per day in cool weather, they cannot live through the warmer months without at least partial shading. When you plant your stevia plants, choose a location that receives shade for at least part of the day. You can also rig up your own shading system for your stevia plants using a cheesecloth or similar covering.
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Step 4
Apply a light application of 10-10-12 foliar fertilizer directly to the leaves of your stevia plants one to two months after planting. You can also fertilize periodically with an organic fertilizer blend or a chemical fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro or Grow More. If using a chemical fertilizer, follow the usage instructions on the package.
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Step 5
Pinch off the tips of newly grown stems to encourage bushier growth in your stevia plants. Do this every three to four weeks for the first couple of months after planting the stevia.
