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Can You Grow Stevia in Louisiana?

US · USDA Zone 8b · zones 8a, 8b, 9a

Grows well here

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

Plant zones

8a–11b

Louisiana last frost

late January

Louisiana first frost

mid-December

Days to harvest

60–80 days

When to plant Stevias in Louisiana

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 30

Harvest

Mar 31 – Apr 20

Dates are approximate, based on Louisiana'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 Louisiana

Louisiana has a humid subtropical climate with very mild winters and long hot summers. Year-round cool-season growing is possible; the summer is the only limiting factor.