Leaves are used as a natural sweetener, with no calories! 100 times sweeter than sugar. Small white flowers. Prefers afternoon shade, or grow as a house plant. Stevia is native to Paraguay and Brazil. It is frost sensitive, and must be protected or brought indoors in the winter, or grow as a annual.
Harvest leaves as needed, using fresh or hanging small bunches to dry. If growing as an annual be sure to harvest the plant before nighttime temperatures drop below 40 degrees F. Roots are hardy to about 15 degrees with protection.