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General Information
Instead of just as an annual, Sweet Leaf may be grown as a perennial in the mild coastal Southern California climates where frosts seldom occur. It is grown for its leaves, which are used fresh or dried to sweeten beverages. Fresh leaves are up to 30 times sweeter than sugar; they are the sweetest just before the plant blooms in the fall.
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Plant Care Instruction
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Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
- December
January1. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.2. ProtectProtect from frost and cold weather.February1. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.2. ProtectProtect from frost and cold weather.March1. BuyBuy starter plants from specialty mail-order sources.2. PlantPlant in containers or in the ground in a rich, well-drained soil.3. Sow SeedsSeeds may be planted in containers, but they are difficult to sprout.4. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.5. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.6. PruneCut back older plants to promote new spring growth.April1. BuyBuy starter plants from specialty mail-order sources.2. PlantPlant in containers or in the ground in a rich, well-drained soil.3. Sow SeedsSeeds may be planted in containers, but they are difficult to sprout.4. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.5. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.6. PruneCut back older plants to promote new spring growth.May1. BuyBuy starter plants from specialty mail-order sources.2. PlantPlant in containers or in the ground in a rich, well-drained soil.3. Sow SeedsSeeds may be planted in containers, but they are difficult to sprout.4. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.5. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.6. PruneTip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.7. PropagatePropagate by taking softwood cuttings.8. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.June1. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.2. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.3. PruneTip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.4. PropagatePropagate by taking softwood cuttings.5. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.July1. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.2. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.3. PruneTip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.4. PropagatePropagate by taking softwood cuttings.5. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.August1. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.2. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.3. PruneTip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.4. PropagatePropagate by taking softwood cuttings.5. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.September1. FertilizeFertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.2. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.3. PruneRemove flower buds as they form, since leaves will not be as sweet once plants start flowering.4. PropagatePropagate by taking softwood cuttings. Once rooted, these can be wintered-over indoors or in a greenhouse to insure a supply of plants for next year.5. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.October1. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.2. PruneRemove flower buds as they form, since leaves will not be as sweet once plants start flowering.3. PropagatePropagate by taking softwood cuttings. Once rooted, these can be wintered-over indoors or in a greenhouse to insure a supply of plants for next year.4. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.November1. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.2. PruneRemove flower buds as they form, since leaves will not be as sweet once plants start flowering.3. HarvestHarvest leaves for use fresh or dried.December1. WaterWater regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.2. ProtectProtect from frost and cold weather. -
Buy
When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share!
March
Buy starter plants from specialty mail-order sources.
April
Buy starter plants from specialty mail-order sources.
May
Buy starter plants from specialty mail-order sources.
Plant
When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions?
March
Plant in containers or in the ground in a rich, well-drained soil.
April
Plant in containers or in the ground in a rich, well-drained soil.
May
Plant in containers or in the ground in a rich, well-drained soil.
Sow Seeds
When can you plant these seeds? When's the best time? Can you start them indoors and move them out? Do they have any special requirements?
March
Seeds may be planted in containers, but they are difficult to sprout.
April
Seeds may be planted in containers, but they are difficult to sprout.
May
Seeds may be planted in containers, but they are difficult to sprout.
Fertilize
When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year?
March
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
April
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
May
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
June
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
July
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
August
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
September
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
October
Fertilize with half-strength liquid fertilizer. Do not overfertilize.
Water
Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year?
January
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
February
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
March
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
April
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
May
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
June
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
July
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
August
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
September
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
October
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
November
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
December
Water regularly but lightly during dry periods. Do not overwater.
Prune
When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements?
March
Cut back older plants to promote new spring growth.
April
Cut back older plants to promote new spring growth.
May
Tip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.
June
Tip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.
July
Tip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.
August
Tip pinch or shear lightly to encourage bushy growth and maximum foiage.
September
Remove flower buds as they form, since leaves will not be as sweet once plants start flowering.
October
Remove flower buds as they form, since leaves will not be as sweet once plants start flowering.
November
Remove flower buds as they form, since leaves will not be as sweet once plants start flowering.
Protect
When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved?
January
Protect from frost and cold weather.
February
Protect from frost and cold weather.
December
Protect from frost and cold weather.
Propagate
When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements?
May
Propagate by taking softwood cuttings.
June
Propagate by taking softwood cuttings.
July
Propagate by taking softwood cuttings.
August
Propagate by taking softwood cuttings.
September
Propagate by taking softwood cuttings. Once rooted, these can be wintered-over indoors or in a greenhouse to insure a supply of plants for next year.
October
Propagate by taking softwood cuttings. Once rooted, these can be wintered-over indoors or in a greenhouse to insure a supply of plants for next year.
Harvest
When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features?
May
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
June
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
July
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
August
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
September
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
October
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
November
Harvest leaves for use fresh or dried.
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