stevia

[orflo]

I'm not sure if this plant is well-known in the US, it's called sweet-leaf (and maybe it has some other names, but I don't know these). Once you tasted the leaves you know why it's called that way...
They're easy to grow little plants, the best thing you can do is grow them from cuttings (these root up easily). If you get any seeds, make sure they have a brown-black colour (white coloured ones don't germinate), and the are surface-sown, uncovered. Expect a very low germination rate, although selections seem to have been made. Over here in Belgium, laws did forbid the sale of the plants (I'm not sure, but I think it's still forbidden), because of the concurrence with the big sugar-beet industry,
The leaves are used everywhere where a sweetener is wanted: brew tea, make jam, even biscuits (mostly the dried and crumbled leaves are used), anything you can do with 'ordinary' sugar, you can do with this plant...
There's another natural sweetening plant, but I still have to try out that one: lippia dulcis;
meanwhile a picture of stevia:

[karamazovv]

In france the commercialisation of the stevia is not allow too, but we can put in our garden like "amateur " plant.
Some authorities can say that stevia is toxic!! oO

[canadamike]

Stevia is popular here in Canada, it is sold in natural food store and pharmacies. You can find it in all the ggod garden centres. I love to add it to grapefruit juice, it adds a lot of complexity to the taste, like sugar. And no guilt of course...

[bunkie]

we've been growing stevia here too, in pots for a couple years. not sure if it will endure our cold winters. it was not allowed in the states for a long time, but now is. i also read awhile back that Coca Cola is going to start using it in their sodas. i agree that the best way to grow it is from branches. they say that growing from seed does not produce the sweetest product.