Can You Grow Stevia in Maine?
US · USDA Zone 5a · zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b
Stevia is frost-tender but thrives in a pot on a sunny windowsill year-round.
Plant zones
Maine last frost
Maine first frost
Days to harvest
When to plant Stevias in Maine
Start indoors
Transplant
Harvest
Dates are approximate, based on Maine'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.
Gardening in Maine
Maine has a cool humid continental climate. Coastal areas are Zone 5b-6a; inland and northern Maine is Zone 3b-4a. Short summers but excellent for potatoes, blueberries, and cool crops.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow Stevia in Maine?
Stevia is frost-tender but thrives in a pot on a sunny windowsill year-round.
What zone is Maine?
Maine spans USDA Zone 5a (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b).
When do you plant Stevias in Maine?
Plant Stevias around mid-April (start indoors Feb 17), harvest Jun 14 – Jul 4.