Description

Urtica dioica

Young shoots taste like spinach and are rich in vitamins and iron. Drying or cooking eliminates the sting, and the attractive plants have a long history of use in herbal medicine. Nettles are also the exclusive larval food plant for several species of butterfly.

Direct seed in early spring or transplant into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Stinging nettle benefits from cold stratification. It will need full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Water well to ensure good germination. Once germinated, stinging nettle will need at least an inch of water per week. Typically grown for leaves. Perennial.