When to Plant Stevia in USDA Zone 9a
Top priorities for Zone 9a gardeners in May
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 9a.
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Pick stevia
Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.
Get ahead of June
- First harvests: stevia
Stevia is a subtropical herb whose leaves contain natural sweeteners 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. It is grown as an annual in most climates.
In Zone 9a, the average last spring frost is around February 10 and the first fall frost is around December 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 303 days.
Stevia Planting Timeline — Zone 9a
Where Is USDA Zone 9a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 9a. Click any state to see the Stevia planting schedule for that location.
Stevia Planting Calendar — Zone 9a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 30 | Dec 30 – Jan 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Direct Sow | February 17 | Feb 17 – Mar 10 |
| Harvest | April 21 | Apr 21 – Jun 30 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 9a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 9a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6.5 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
303 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 8 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Stevia in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Stevia in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~303 days). Start Stevia indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
Start seeds indoors under lights or buy transplants. Pinch flowers to encourage leaf production. Harvest leaves before flowering for maximum sweetness. Dry leaves for year-round use.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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Saving Stevia Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Related Plants
Stevia in Other Zones
Stevia by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Stevia in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, plan your Stevia planting around the average last frost date of February 10. Start seeds indoors around December 30. Direct sow outdoors around February 17. Transplant seedlings around February 17.
Can Stevia grow in Zone 9a?
Yes, Stevia can grow well in Zone 9a, hardy in USDA zones 8a through 11b. Zone 9a has a growing season of approximately 303 days, which is sufficient for Stevia (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Stevia in Zone 9a?
In Zone 9a, expect to harvest Stevia from April 21 – June 30. Stevia takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 9a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 9a is around February 10, and the first fall frost is around December 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 303 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Stevia?
Good companion plants for Stevia include Basil, Tomatoes. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.