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Can You Grow Stevia in Washington?

US · USDA Zone 8b · zones 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 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

Washington last frost

late January

Washington first frost

mid-December

Days to harvest

60–80 days

When to plant Stevias in Washington

Start indoors

Jan 1

Transplant

Jan 30

Harvest

Mar 31 – Apr 20

Dates are approximate, based on Washington'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 Washington

Washington has dramatically different climates. The wet maritime west (Zone 8a-8b) is mild and productive year-round. Eastern Washington is semi-arid and colder (Zone 5-6) with hot dry summers.