Sweetleaf is a tender perennial in the aster family and is native to warm humid climates in South America. It reaches 1-2 feet tall and is typically grown for its leaves from which a sweetener is made. Flowers are generally pruned to improve the flavor of the leaves.

Stevia is a small, leafy herb comprised of elongated, oval leaves averaging 2 to 7 centimeters in length attached to slender stems. The green leaves have serrated edges, a prominent midrib, and are generally smooth with a lightly textured surface. The leaves are also pliable, growing from the sides of pale green stems that are thin and delicate in nature. In the late summer, the plant produces tiny, tubular flowers that are white and unscented. These white flowers are often removed before they open to prevent the leaves from developing a bitter taste. Stevia leaves can be consumed fresh and have an initially sweet taste that lingers on the palate. Eventually, the sweetness fades and gives way to a subtle licorice aftertaste.