Stevia Plant

The stevia plant was first cultivated in the South American country of Paraguay. In Paraguay, it is also known as "Sweet Herb of Paraguay". The official botanical name for the Stevia plant is "Stevia Rebaudiana". The plant is a perenial in warm climates and an annual in colder climates. The plant typically grows to about 60 to 90 centimeters tall and about as wide. The leaves of the Stevia plant are typically several centimeters long. Leaves have serrated or jagged edges. Small size white flowers and buds appear, coming in clusters in the summer and fall seasons.

To harvest stevia leaves, you can collect them in summer or fall. Leaves should be dried and then powdered.