Stevia is a natural sweetener that has become popular in the last several years. It is not hardy here, so treat it as an annual. It prefers a sun to part-sun location in moist, but well-drained soil. Pinch out the tips to encourage bushy growth that will stand up to Colorado winds better. Uses: Use fresh leaves for tea or dry the leaves and use a food processor to grind them up into a fine powder. Leaves are sweetest when the plant is just about to flower. So, harvest when the plant first begins to bloom.
