Home › Stevia › Grow in Alabama

Can You Grow Stevia in Alabama?

US · USDA Zone 8a · zones 7b, 8a, 8b

Grows well here

Stevia grows as a perennial in your zone — harvest leaves all season for a natural sweetener.

Plant zones

8a–11b

Alabama last frost

mid-February

Alabama first frost

early December

Days to harvest

60–80 days

When to plant Stevias in Alabama

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Feb 15

Harvest

Apr 16 – May 6

Dates are approximate, based on Alabama's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Stevia

Stevia is the natural zero-calorie sweetener — the leaves are 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Easy to grow as a container plant and overwinter indoors in cold climates.

Start from transplants (seeds have low germination). Grow in a pot and overwinter indoors in frost-prone zones. Harvest leaves before the plant flowers — sweetness peaks pre-flower. Dry leaves and crush for sweetener.

Full stevia growing guide →

Gardening in Alabama

Alabama has a humid subtropical climate with long hot summers and mild winters. Most of the state supports year-round cool-season growing and a long warm season for vegetables.