Dream

Stevia is a perennial herbaceous shrub from the Asteraceae family, reaching a height of 50 to 100 cm. The plant is characterized by light green fragrant leaves and small white flowers. The leaves can be used as a natural sugar substitute in teas, coffees, dishes, and baked goods, as well as brewed to make tea or added to salads.

The Stevia rebaudiana culture is distinguished by high yields of dry leaves – 23 c/ha, stevioside content of about 6.8%, and resistance to lodging. The variety is triploid, which ensures a denser plant structure and increased productivity. Root rot incidence rates are 15.8%, which is 9.7% below the standard. The plant prefers moist, loose, and well-drained soils with low acidity, as well as sunlight.

Stevia is grown both in open ground and at home. When planting, a depth of 5 cm and a distance between plants of about 30 cm is recommended. The first crop appears 16–18 weeks after planting. The variety is suitable for hardiness zones 9–10, flowering begins in June and continues until July. Leaves can be used fresh or dried – as a powder or ground product. Due to its health benefits, stevia is widely used in the food industry and home cooking.