plant

Stinging Nettle

Urtica dioica

Updated 9 Jun 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) — a plant, for Part sun, Medium water. Companions: Tomato, Raspberry.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermoderate to high

↑ Gives back

Biomasshigh

Companions

Through the year

Emergence

Emergence of new shoots in early spring after the last frost and when soil temperatures rise above 50C.

Flowering

Flowering occurs from early summer, triggered by lengthening days and warmer air temperatures.

Senescence

Senescence begins with the first autumn frosts and shortening day lengths, leading to dieback.

Dormancy

Enters dormancy after hard frosts, with above-ground growth dying back, remaining dormant through winter.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagemoist but well-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalNo
Accumulatesnitrogen, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium
Soil textureloam, clay
Organic matterHigh
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, division
Difficulty1 / 5
Establishes in~1 yr
Self-seedingAggressive
Divisionspring

Wildlife & pests

Attractsladybugs, butterflies, bees
Can host pestsaphids