Stinging Nettle.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Perennial herb

Luz

Partial shade to full sun

Luz en interior

Luz indirecta brillante

Riego

Cada 3 a 7 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 7 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 3 a 9

Floración

Late spring to early autumn

Cuidados

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural damp habitat. Wear gloves when handling the plant to avoid the painful sting from its tiny hairs. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out too much.

Riego

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Abonado

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer during the active growing season.

Poda

Trim back stems to encourage bushier growth and prevent it from becoming too leggy.

Trasplante

Repot when the roots fill the container or the plant becomes rootbound.

Suelo

Rich, moist, well draining soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

-30 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 80%

Tolerancia a la sequía

Moderada

Longevidad

Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years

Resistencia a ciervos y conejos

Alta

Seguridad

Personas

The plant is not toxic, but the stinging hairs cause immediate skin irritation and inflammation upon contact.

Mascotas

This plant is generally considered non toxic to pets, but the stinging hairs can cause irritation if touched.

Niños

Keep children away from patches to prevent painful stings on hands and legs.

Alérgenos por contacto

The stinging hairs contain chemicals that cause a painful, itchy rash on contact with skin.

Alérgenos en el aire

The fine pollen released in summer can trigger hay fever in sensitive individuals.

Comestibilidad

Always cook or dry the leaves thoroughly to neutralize the stinging hairs before consumption.

Cómo identificarla

• Opposite, serrated, heart shaped leaves
• Stinging hairs on stems and leaves
• Small, greenish, drooping flower clusters
• Square stems characteristic of mint family

Altura

0,6 a 2m

Anchura

0,5 a 1,5m

Hojas

dark green, deciduous

Flores

green, white, 0,1 a 0,3cm

Frutos

brown, Autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Aphids — Small sap sucking insects that cluster on the undersides of leaves.
• Leaf spot — Fungal infections causing dark spots on foliage during wet weather.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

division, seed, rhizome cuttings

Cuándo plantar

spring, autumn

Cuidados en invierno

The foliage dies back to the ground in winter. Mulch the base if you live in a very cold climate to protect the rhizomes.

En maceta

It grows well in containers, but use a large pot to accommodate the vigorous root system.

Plant in a dedicated patch away from walkways to avoid accidental stings.

Buenas compañeras

• Comfrey — Both plants are excellent for creating nutrient rich liquid fertilizers.
• Menta — They share similar moisture requirements and thrive in semi shaded areas.

Especies parecidas

• Urtica urens — A smaller annual relative that also possesses stinging hairs.
• Lamium album — Often confused with stinging nettle but lacks the stinging hairs and has different flowers.

Ciencia

Familia

Urticaceae

Género

Urtica

Orden

Rosales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Conservación

This plant is common and widespread, requiring no special conservation status.

It thrives in nutrient rich, disturbed soils and often forms dense colonies that provide shelter for insects.

Valor para la fauna

larval host plant, nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas, polillas

Usos

culinary tea, nutrient rich compost, fiber source, medicinal tincture

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

How do I stop the sting?

Cooking, drying, or blending the leaves destroys the stinging hairs completely.

Will it take over my garden?

Yes, it spreads aggressively through underground rhizomes and should be contained.

De dónde viene el nombre

The name Urtica comes from the Latin word for burn, referring to the sting, while dioica means two houses, noting the separate male and female plants.

Bueno saberlo

• Nettle fiber was historically used to make fabric similar to linen.
• The stinging sensation is caused by silica tips breaking off in the skin.
• Nettles are a classic indicator of nitrogen rich soil.
• They are a vital food source for the caterpillars of several butterfly species.
• Ancient Romans reportedly used nettles to treat rheumatism by whipping their skin.

También en

• Plantas que los ciervos no comen