Stinging Nettle

Basic Information

Seed Number

50

Seed Name

Stinging Nettle

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Urticaceae

Plant Type

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 1

Last Recommended Planting Date

May 31

Plantable Months

March, April, May, October, November

Indoor Start

Mar 1 – Apr 1

Direct Sow

Mar 15 – May 15

Transplant

May 5 – May 31

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not recorded

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

10–21 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

60-70°F

Planting Depth

Surface sow or barely cover

Plant Spacing

12-18 in

Row Spacing

18-24 in

Thin-To Spacing

12-18 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

Keep consistently moist; performs poorly under drought

Soil Preference

Deep, rich, moist soil with abundant organic matter

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

3-7 ft

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow; many benefit from cold stratification
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Sep 1 – Oct 15 for fall sowing
Germination Time: 10–30+ days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Blooms/harvest often year 2
Container Friendly: Yes for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for permanent herb/medicinal beds.
Zone 6B Notes: Many medicinal perennials need patience and may not bloom first year.
Companion Plants: Yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, clover, native flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowded/overly wet beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Stinging nettle is a hardy perennial in Zone 6B. It spreads vigorously by rhizomes as well as seed, so container culture or a contained bed is useful in a small garden.
Germination: Tiny seed should be surface-sown or barely covered and kept evenly moist. Cool spring conditions suit establishment.
Harvest: Harvest young leaves and tender tops before or during early flowering. Cooking, drying or other proper processing neutralizes the fresh leaf sting.
Seed Saving: Allow female flower clusters to mature before collecting seed. Plants may be male or female and spread readily by underground rhizomes.
Special Care: Wear gloves, long sleeves and other skin protection when handling fresh plants because stinging hairs can cause painful dermatitis. The plant can form dense colonies.
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/urtica-dioica/ — perennial habit, rich moist soil preference, drought intolerance, rhizomatous spread and stinging hairs
Research Source: Strictly Medicinal Seeds — https://blog.strictlymedicinalseeds.com/average-seeds-per-gram-of-medicinal-herbs/ — Urtica dioica identification as stinging nettle in medicinal herb seed production
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]