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Boehmeria spp.

false nettles and allies

Urticaceae

Asia, the Americas, Africa, and the Pacific

Attracts Butterflies

Native to North America

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 5–10

Overview

Boehmeria spp. is a genus of roughly 50 to 65 species in the nettle family (Urticaceae), spread across tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions of Asia, the Americas, and beyond. Despite the common name false nettle, the plants lack the stinging hairs of true nettles. Most are herbaceous perennials or soft-wooded subshrubs 0.5-2 m (1.6-6.5 ft) tall, with paired or alternate, coarsely toothed, often nettle-like leaves on upright stems. The flowers are small and greenish, packed into slender axillary spikes or branched clusters, and are wind-pollinated rather than insect-pollinated; many species bear separate male and female plants. A widely grown member, ramie (B. nivea), is cultivated across Asia for the long, strong bast fibre in its stems. Several species grow in damp ground, stream banks, and woodland margins, and the North American false nettle (B. cylindrica) is a common wetland plant. Foliage serves as a larval food source for several butterflies. The genus occupies moist, partly shaded habitats and includes both frost-hardy temperate perennials and frost-tender tropical species.

Native Range

Boehmeria spp. occurs naturally in Asia, the Americas, Africa, and on Pacific islands, with the greatest diversity in eastern and southern Asia. The false nettle B. cylindrica is native across much of North America.

Suggested Uses

Boehmeria spp. species are planted in damp borders, rain gardens, pond and stream margins, and woodland edges. Ramie is grown agriculturally for fibre. The foliage supports butterfly larvae in wildlife and native plantings.

How to Identify

Look for upright stems with opposite or alternate, sharply toothed leaves that resemble nettles but do not sting. Tiny green flowers are crowded into narrow spikes or knotted clusters in the leaf axils. The absence of stinging hairs and the slender, often interrupted flower spikes separate Boehmeria spp. from true nettles (Urtica spp.).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'8" - 6'6"

Width/Spread1'8" - 5'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Small green flowers appear through summer, mainly July to September in temperate regions. The clustered spikes are small and green and give way to tiny dry fruits. Flowering continues longer in warm climates.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish to whitish

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay silt

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in part shade to full sun on moist, fertile loam at a pH of 5.5-7.0. Steady moisture suits them, and several species tolerate wet ground and short flooding. Hardiness ranges widely, from temperate perennials hardy to about USDA zone 5 to tropical species injured by frost. Temperate species die back in winter and regrow from the base in spring. Little feeding is needed on reasonably fertile soil.

Pruning

Temperate perennials are cut back to ground level in late autumn or early spring as old stems die. Shearing in summer keeps subshrubby species dense. Plants regrow readily from the base after cutting.