How to Harvest Stevia

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 19, 2023 References

You've probably heard about the health benefits of the stevia plant (stevia rebaudiana). Also known as sweet leaf, the plant's leaves can be used as a natural sweetener, and as a sugar substitute.^{[1]
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Research source} Maybe you decided to cultivate your own crop so you don't have to buy it at a store. But what should you do when the time comes to harvest your stevia? Using the right techniques, you can harvest a crop of pure stevia and start using the extracted sweetness all year round!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Delaying Your Harvest Time

1
Pinch off buds to extend your harvest time out further. Each time you check your plants through the main growing season (summer), look for buds at the tips of this flowering plant and pinch them off with the nails of your index finger and thumb before they can bloom. While this prevents flavor being diverted from the leaves, it also stops your plants becoming 'leggy', so they end up bushier with more leaves to harvest.^{[2]
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2
Trick early frosts by covering your stevia plants. The goal of extending your harvest time out as far as possible is to achieve maximum sweetness. Stevia leaves become sweeter into autumn as temperatures drop and daylight hours decrease.^{[3]
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Research source} You can help your plants gain sweetness by shielding them from too much cold during early frosts. There are a variety of ways to shield plants from the cold.^{[4]
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Trustworthy Source
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities
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- Use mulch and insulating straw built up around the bases of the plants.
- Use a lightweight blanketing material (available from most gardening stores) over the tops of the plants.
- Use a polyurethane or glass cold frame.
- If you planted your stevia in containers, simply move your plants indoors during colder spells!
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3
Harvest at the end of summer or beginning of autumn. Extending out the time of your harvest will increase the sweetness of your crop — but it's also a gamble. Don't leave it too long, because your stevia plants won't tolerate a severe frost. Be sure to harvest before the first killer frost hits your plants.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Cutting Your Stevia Stems

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Prepare your scissors or pruning shears. Whenever pruning any plant in your garden, first ensure the blades of your scissors or shears are sterile enough to prevent spreading diseases.^{[5]
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Penn State Extension
Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities
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- Wipe the blades regularly with a little alcohol.
- Alternatively, wash them with soap or disinfectant and hot water.
- You can also soak them in water mixed with a cap-full of bleach before use.
2
Make pruning cuts at a 45-degree angle.^{[6]
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Research source} Snip the stems off where they fork off from the main trunk of the plant. If you're not keeping your plants over winter, you can also harvest stems by simply pulling or snapping them off if you wish, since the plants will die off anyway.
3
Leave about 4 inches at the base of your plants. If you live in a frost-free climate, you can keep your pruned stevia plants in the ground over winter.^{[7]
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Research source} The plants will start to give new growth the following spring.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Drying and Stripping Your Stems

1
Wash the stevia stems thoroughly. You don't want your pure, home-grown stevia polluted by dirt and bugs, so make sure you wash it well. Use filtered water if you can.
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Bundle your harvested stems together for drying. Include about 2 or 3 stems in each bundle to allow better air circulation. Tie each bundle together at the base (like a bouquet of flowers) using an elastic band.
3
Hang your bundled stems upside-down. Choose a warm, well-ventilated area for this. Ventilation is more important for drying than heat. Leave the bundles hanging for 8 to 15 hours.^{[8]
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Research source} The drying time will differ depending on the level of humidity in the air.
- If you don't want to bundle and hang your stems, lay them flat on a rack, net, absorbent paper towels or a dishcloth.^{[9]
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- Hang or lay out your harvested stems in the sun for a faster drying time.
4
Listen for the crunch to know when your stevia has dried. You can test how dry your leaves are by crushing one between your fingers. A crisp, dry leaf will crumble easily.
5
Pluck your dried, harvested stems. If you haven't already removed the leaves from the stems, do this now. You can pluck each dried leaf from its stem individually, or run your hand along the stem, stripping the leaves as you go.
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Discard the stems once the leaves have been removed. The stems don't contain as much sweetness as the leaves. You don't want them in your harvest.
7
Store whole leaves in air-tight bags or containers.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source
Penn State Extension
Educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities
Go to source} Dried leaves can be kept this way for up to a year. Ensure the leaves are completely dry and no air can enter the container or bag.
- Store whole dried stevia leaves in a cool dark place, such as in a cupboard.
8
Pulverize your dried stevia leaves. Grind the leaves into a fine green powder, ready to be used as a sweetening ingredient.^{[11]
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- Use a clean manual coffee grinder or pepper grinder.
- Use an electric grinder or food processor.
- Use an old-fashioned pestle and mortar.
9
Store your stevia powder in an air-tight container. Use a sealable can, such as a metal tea caddy, or a glass preserving jar. Keep it on hand in your kitchen and start using it as a sweetening ingredient or healthy alternative to raw or processed sugar.
10
Add stevia powder to filtered water if you want to make liquid stevia. A ratio of 1 part stevia powder to 4 parts water is recommended.^{[12]
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Research source} Stir the mixture and allow it to stand for 24 hours before storing it in a preserving jar.
- Liquid stevia should be kept in the refrigerator.