How to Grow Organic Xylitol

Growing organic xylitol can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Use xylitol in organic dishes for cooking, dried and ground for use as a calorie-free sweetener or used on the teeth for strengthening and general oral health. Growing organic xylitol follows many of the common organic practices such as planting in organic soil, using organic fertilizers and all-natural pesticides. A person can either purchase a small organic xylitol plant or begin with herb seeds.

Things You'll Need

• Organic soil
• Organic fertilizer
• Organic pesticides
• Xylitol seeds
• Organic xylitol plant

Instructions

Plant Xylitol

1. Plant the seeds of the xylitol plant in organic soil in a small pot in your house. Keep by the window and maintain proper moister in the soil by watering every two to three days. Grow for about six weeks until the plant is 1 to 2 inches tall.

2. Transplant the potted xylitol into your outdoor organic garden. Use pre-bagged organic soil or make your own by composting your uneaten food and other biodegradable items.

3. Water daily during the summer months in the early morning hours. Avoid watering during the evening, as the lack of evaporation may cause fungus to grow on the xylitol, potentially killing the plant.

4. Use an organic fertilizer on a monthly basis. Purchase the organic fertilizer of your choice from a store that sells organic gardening products. Save your used coffee grounds or collect them from your local coffee shop and sprinkle them on top of the soil around your organic xylitol to condition and fertilize the soil organically. The coffee will also deter certain pests from attacking the herb.

5. Use an organic pesticide to keep unwanted bugs away from your plants. Combine 1/3 cup of oil soap, 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 1 gallon of water in a container. Mix the solution so all ingredients are dissolved. Pour a portion of the solution into a spray bottle and apply to the xylitol once a day in the early morning or evening. Do not spray during the day hours, as this solution may cause the sun to burn the plant.

References

• Organic Herb Gardening
• Natural Pesticides
• Starbucks: Coffee for Your Garden

Resources

• Growing Organic Herbs