When to Plant Stevia in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
That soil figure is read off our own weather station in South East Queensland at 6:55 this morning, not a model.
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Stevia guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Aug to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Regular
- Spacing
- 40 cm apart
Stevia is a leafy perennial herb whose leaves taste many times sweeter than sugar. It likes warm, humid places and is frost tender, so cooler gardens grow it in a pot and bring it inside for winter.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Planting Calendar for Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug T
- Sep T
- Oct T
- Nov T
- Dec -
S = Seed Tray T = Transplant D = Direct Sow
Want a nudge when it is sowing time?
One email a week with what is worth planting in the Subtropical zone right now, Stevia included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.
How to Grow Stevia in Subtropical Australia
- Soil
- Fertile, well draining soil (Bunnings, Rob Pyne).
- Salt
- Moderately sensitive. Copes with a little salt, but the harvest drops on salty bore water.
- Sunlight
- Full sun, or part shade with some afternoon shade in a hot summer (Bunnings, Rob Pyne).
- Spacing
- 40cm apart
- Watering
- Keep the soil evenly moist with frequent light watering (Rob Pyne). Water regularly in warm weather so roots do not dry out, and avoid overwatering in the cooler months (Bunnings).
Subtropical Growing Tips for Stevia
Recommended Varieties
- Stevia rebaudiana
Key Challenges
- Aphids
- Humid leaf spot
Pro Tips
- Plant after frost
- Pick before flowering
Pests and problems for Stevia in Subtropical
Harvesting Stevia
When ready: Pick just as plants start to flower, when the leaves are sweetest (Bunnings). Harvest in the morning when sugar content is highest (Rob Pyne).
How to harvest: Cut stems or pick leaves, then rinse well before eating (Bunnings). Cut stems about 2.5 cm above the ground (Rob Pyne).
Storing and preserving stevia
How to keep it
- Drying. Dry whole stems or leaves in a warm, airy place until crisp, then crumble or grind. No Australian source read, so treat as general practice.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Stevia
When do you plant stevia in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Apr to Oct
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Aug to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Oct to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Nov to Dec
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Nov
- Mediterranean (Perth): Oct to Nov
Can you grow stevia all year round in Brisbane?
No. In the Subtropical zone the planting months are Aug to Nov. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.
When should I plant Stevia in Brisbane?
Bunnings says it prefers humid tropical and subtropical regions. Plant after the last frost, from late winter to spring. Pick leaves before flowering.
How do I know when Stevia are ready to harvest?
Pick just as plants start to flower, when the leaves are sweetest (Bunnings). Harvest in the morning when sugar content is highest (Rob Pyne).
What are the best Stevia varieties for Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical zone include: Stevia rebaudiana.
Are stevia salt tolerant?
Only a little. Stevia are moderately sensitive to salt, so the harvest drops on salty bore water. Mix salty water with rainwater, and mulch the bed.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.