HERB-STINGING NETTLE
HERB-STINGING NETTLE
A$3.50
Availability: 141 in stock
Urtica dioica
HERB-STINGING NETTLE Yes, it’s the very same plant that causes unwary walkers such discomfort! But drying or cooking eliminates the sting, and the attractive plants have a long history of use in herbal medicine, as a healing shampoo and reputed to alleviate symptoms in cases of arthritis, enlarged prostate, & many other complaints. Also used in salt-reduced diets. Young shoots taste like spinach and are rich in vitamins & iron. Perennial growing to 100cm. Plants are covered in small hollow hairs that produce a stinging sensation, irritation & discomfort when in contact with the skin. Very nutritious, fast growing, attracts butterflies & is said to repel flies.
Nettle seeds are tiny, light-dependent germinators that can be started indoors or out. Sow in Autumn or very early spring. Scatter the small seeds lightly onto the soil & lightly cover with a thin layer of soil. Water as needed in dry periods.
| Germination Time (Days) | 14 – 21 |
| Sowing Depth (mm) | 2 |
| Plant Spacing (cm) | 100 |
| pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Soil Temperature (°C) | – |
| Hardy / Frost Tender | Hardy |
| Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings | Raise Seedlings |
| Seed Preparation | – |
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
60 - 150 cm (2 - 5 feet)
Season of Interest
Spring to Autumn
Temperature Range
10 - 24 °C
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Perennial
Frost Hardy / Tender
Frost Hardy
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun to Part Shade
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Sow direct
Soil
Moist, rich, well-drained soil
pH
5.0 - 8.0
Soil Temperature
5 - 22 °C (59 - 72 °F)
Seed Preparation
Cold stratification for 4-6 weeks
Sowing Depth
0.3 cm (0.1 inches)
Plant Spacing
30 cm (12 inches)
Row spacing
60 cm (24 inches)
Watering
Moderate to high
Germination Time (Days)
10 - 14 days
Harvest Time (Days)
60 - 90 days
Good Companion Plants
Mint, Yarrow
Bad Companion Plants
None specific
Pests
Aphids, Whiteflies
Diseases
None significant
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
