Home › Stevia › Grow in Missouri

Can You Grow Stevia in Missouri?

US · USDA Zone 6a · zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b

Won't grow here

Stevia is frost-tender but thrives in a pot on a sunny windowsill year-round.

Plant zones

8a–11b

Missouri last frost

early April

Missouri first frost

late October

Days to harvest

60–80 days

When to plant Stevias in Missouri

Start indoors

Feb 3

Transplant

Apr 1

Harvest

May 31 – Jun 20

Dates are approximate, based on Missouri'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 Missouri

Missouri has a humid continental climate. Kansas City and St. Louis are Zone 6a-6b; northern Missouri is cooler at Zone 5b-6a. Four distinct seasons with a long growing window.