Plants > Perennials

common stinging nettle

Urtica dioica

Genus: Urtica
Family: Urticaceae
Common Names: great nettle, stinger, stinging nettle

About this plant

A herbaceous perennial with spreading roots and creeping horizontal stems able to form large, patches of upright stems, to 1.5m tall, with dark green foliage. Leaves and stems are covered in stinging and non-stinging hairs. Cream or brownish-green, catkin-like flowers are produced from the leaf axils from late spring to early autumn

Growing Information

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Spread

2.5-4 Metres

Hardiness

H7

Foliage

Deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sunlight

Full ShadeFull SunPartial Shade

Soil

ClayChalkLoamSandy

pH

Not Currently Available

This plant is not currently stocked at any garden centres on our platform.

Acid

Alkaline

Neutral

Moisture

Poorly DrainedWell Drained

Aspect

South FacingNorth FacingWest FacingEast Facing

Exposure

ShelteredExposed

Care Guide

Cultivation

May be planted for wildlife value and thrives in nitrogen-rich, moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position, but will grow almost anywhere and can become a nuisance weed in gardens. See Nettles as weeds

Pruning

No pruning required

Propagation

Spreads naturally by spreading roots and horizontal stems, and by seed

Pests

Generally pest-free, but is an important food plant for aphids, caterpillars and other insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Garden Uses

Uses

Banks Slopes

Season of Interest

SpringSummerAutumn

Size & Characteristics

Height

1-1.5 Metres

Spread

2.5-4 Metres

Habit

Clump FormingTrailing

Time to Full Height

Five To Ten Years