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Perennials
Urtica dioica
stinging nettle
Urticaceae
Pacific Northwest and broadly across temperate North America and Eurasia; moist nutrient-rich stream banks, forest edges, floodplains, and disturbed ground
At a Glance
TypePerennial
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height3-9 feet (0.9-2.7 m)
Width24-48 inches (60-120 cm); spreads aggressively by rhizome
Maturity3 years
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 - 9Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy
Key Features
Attracts Butterflies
Deer Resistant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow
Overview
A tall, rhizomatous, deciduous perennial in the family Urticaceae, native to moist, nutrient-rich soils along stream banks, forest edges, floodplains, and disturbed ground across the Pacific Northwest and broadly across temperate North America and Eurasia. The specific epithet dioica means 'two houses' — referring to the European subspecies (ssp. dioica) having separate male and female plants; however, the native PNW subspecies (ssp. gracilis) is primarily monoecious, with both male and female flowers on the same plant. Plants grow 3–9 feet (0.9–2.7 m) tall from spreading rhizomes, forming dense colonies. The stems are four-angled and clothed, along with the leaves, in STINGING TRICHOMES — hollow, silica-tipped hairs that break on contact, injecting a mixture of histamine, formic acid, acetylcholine, and serotonin into the skin and producing an immediate sharp burning sting and welt lasting 30 minutes to several hours. Despite this defense, stinging nettle is one of the most ecologically and ethnobotanically important native PNW plants. The opposite, coarsely serrated, ovate to lance-shaped leaves 1.5–6 inches (4–15 cm) long with heart-shaped bases and long-pointed tips are covered in both stinging and non-stinging hairs. Dense clusters of inconspicuous greenish flowers hang in drooping catkin-like racemes from the leaf axils June–September. An essential larval food plant for West Coast lady (Vanessa annabella) and red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterflies — caterpillars feed exclusively on nettles. Young shoots cooked or dried lose all sting and are highly nutritious. Non-toxic when cooked.
Native Range
Native to moist, nutrient-rich stream banks, forest edges, floodplains, and disturbed ground across the Pacific Northwest and broadly across temperate North America and Eurasia.Suggested Uses
Included in Pacific Northwest native habitat plantings specifically for butterfly larval support — stinging nettle is the exclusive larval food plant of West Coast lady (Vanessa annabella) and red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterflies in the PNW; a nettle patch is essential for maintaining these butterfly populations. Plant in a contained, out-of-the-way location away from pathways and children's play areas given the stinging hazard. Of exceptional educational significance: the stinging trichome mechanism, the distinction between native monoecious ssp. gracilis and European dioecious ssp. dioica, the butterfly-larval plant relationship, and the long history of Indigenous use for food and fiber (bark for cordage) make this one of the richest educational plants in the collection.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 9'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Colors
Flower Colors
green
Foliage Colors
green
Fall Foliage Colors
yellow
Bloom Information
Bloom Period
~12 weeksJ
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SummerFall
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
tiny greenish; drooping catkin-like racemes in leaf axils; June–Sept; wind-pollinated; EXCLUSIVE LARVAL FOOD of West Coast lady + red admiral butterflies; young shoots edible when cooked/dried (sting destroyed); ALWAYS wear thick gloves — stinging trichomes; DATA CORRECTION: species nullFoliage Description
medium to dark green; opposite ovate to lance-shaped 1.5–6 inches; HEART-SHAPED BASES; coarsely serrated; STINGING TRICHOMES on stems and leaves — immediate painful burning and welts on contact; FOUR-ANGLED STEMS; dioica = 'two houses' (European ssp. dioecious; native PNW ssp. gracilis monoecious); aggressive rhizome spreaderGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 3-10 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 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamclaysilt
Drainage
moist
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Medium
Frost Tolerance
hardy
Time to Maturity
2-3 years
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist to average, nutrient-rich, neutral to slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Thrives in fertile, moist soils — often indicates high soil nitrogen. Spreads very aggressively by rhizome. ALWAYS wear thick gloves and long sleeves when handling — stinging trichomes cause immediate painful burning and welts. Young shoots in spring (before flowering) can be harvested, blanched, or dried for use as a nutritious cooked green. Cooking or drying destroys all sting.Pruning
Cut stems to the ground in late fall or early spring. Sever rhizomes at the desired perimeter to manage aggressive spread. Wear thick gloves and protective clothing. Dead stems provide winter cover for insects and should be left where space allows.Pruning Schedule
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fallearly spring