Stevia rebaudiana

RHS Plant Profile
candyleaf

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candyleaf RHS

Other common names

caa-ehe

Synonyms

Stevia rebaudiana 'Candyleaf'

Herbaceous Perennial
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Stevia rebaudiana is a tender, bushy perennial often grown as an annual crop with dark green, elliptic to lance-shaped leaves that may be harvested for use as a natural sweetener and loose clusters of tubular white flowers

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Prefers a sandy soil in a warm, sunny position; can be treated as a an half-hardy annual and planted outside after all risk of frost has passed

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus disease