Stevia question

[Francis Barnswallow]

Is it alright okay to let them grow small flowers?

[lorax]

Not if you're using the leaves as sweetener. After flowering, the whole plant becomes quite bitter.

[cynthia_h]

There was another recent discussion on growing stevia; maybe there's more information in that thread?

https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=162539

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[Francis Barnswallow]

Should I cut the flowers off?

[lorax]

Yes. Think of Stevia like you would Basil or any other herb of that sort - if it blooms, it's on its way out, so it's good practice to pinch the flowers off.

[garden5]

Wow, I had not idea that you could grow and harvest your own stevia .

I learn something new every day here.

[lorax]

Grow it, Garden5? I fight against it invading my yard. It's a weed here!