Is the Stevia Herb Bird Safe?

[30 Seconds to Bob]

I sure hope it is, because boy did mt javas devour it up! It's not on any list (safe or unsafe) that I could find. I've given it to my canaries and they pick at it a bit, producing a few tiny peck marks in the leaves. I rarely give it to them because i really don't think they care for it too much. I gave it to the javas today, and they completely defoliated an eight inch branch!! In case anyone's not familiar with stevia, it's used to produce a natural sweetner supposedly 10 times sweeter than cane sugar. I've been growing it for several years and like to chew on the leaves myself. Maybe they just wanted a sugar buzz? Bob

[Sally]

I have a stevia plant in my herb garden, I'll have to try it on my finches.

[cindy]

where do you get it....can you put it in beverages?

[h2olilee]

You can get it at a plant nursery. I work at a nursery and we carry it every year. I use it in my sun tea all the time- works great as a sweetener. I usually add a couple mint leaves too .

[30 Seconds to Bob]

where do you get it....can you put it in beverages?

I either got it at the Walmart garden shop or at Home Depot. They both carry it at times. Don't exactly remember, because I've had the plant for about three years. It's supposed to be an annual, but due to our mild climate, it hasn't died yet! I also have a three year old green bell pepper plant that still produces peppers! There are all sorts of sites explaining how to dry it, grind it down and/or liquify it to use it as a sweetener if you do any internet search about it. I just like to chew the leaves and give it to my birds. Bob