Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle) is a flowering plant that is native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia and northern Africa. Stinging Nettle is a widely used plant for traditional medicine, textiles, food, cultural events and for punishing criminals. It is easy to grow, requires little maintenance and has a wide variety of uses.
Suitable for Temperate, Dry, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Urtica dioica is also commonly called Burn Nettle, Nettle Leaf, Burn Hazel Burn Weed and Common Nettle and is widely known for its hollow stinging hairs which are called trichomes. Among other chemicals, the stinging hairs inject histamine into its victims which causes a stinging sensation to humans and paresthesia to some insects.
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Growth
Urtica dioica is a perennial herb plant that grows to a height of up to 2 metres (7 feet) and a width of 1 metre (3 feet). Stinging Nettle grows well in most climates, is frost and drought tolerant and adapts to most soil conditions. It does particularly well in regions with high rainfall.
Stinging Nettle develops widely spreading rhizomes which are bright yellow, as are the roots. The leaves have a strongly serrated margin with an acuminate tip. In late Spring, the plant develops small green/brown flowers prior to developing seeds.
When grown from seed, the leaves from Stinging Nettle are ready to be harvested in around 90 days.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Urticaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10-30°C / 14-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 2m (7 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1m (3 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
90-100 days
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-14 days at temperatures between 20-25°C / 68-77°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 7000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT URTICA DIOICA (Stinging Nettle)
Stinging Nettle has been used to make clothing for almost 3000 years and it is believed that German Army uniforms were made from the textile during World War I due to a cotton shortage.
In Ecuador, Stinging Nettle was used as a punishment for severe crimes. The criminal was typically flogged in public with the leaves while naked and being showered with freezing cold water.
Some studies have found that Stinging Nettle is an effective therapy for arthritis.
The annual World Nettle Eating Championship in Dorset, United Kingdom challenges competitors to eat as much raw Stinging Nettle leaves as possible. Nettle leaves have a similar flavour to Spinach when cooked and are often harvested when young. Soaking the leaves or cooking them removes the stinging chemicals from the plant which allows them to be handled and eaten.
For more information regarding the many uses of Stinging Nettle please click here.
