Urtica urens

RHS Plant Profile
small nettle

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small nettle RHS
small nettle RHS
small nettle RHS

Other common names

annual stinging nettle

Annual Biennial

A bushy, upright annual to 75cm, with distinctly toothed leaves and clusters of small, greenish white flowers in summer. Leaves are covered in tiny hairs that can irritate the skin, though young leaves are edible when cooked

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Urticaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Skin irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten and via skinskin/eye irritant - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus
A genus of annual or perennial flowering plants with arrow-shaped, serrated green foliage and small clusters of greenish-brown flowers. Many species have stinging hairs on the leaves. The foliage can be used for making tea and for medicinal purposes, and the plants provide valuable food and shelter for wildlife
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in full sun, in nitrogen-rich soil. Self-seeds freely and can be difficult to control but is an important source of food for butterfly and moth caterpillars. See stinging nettles for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to avoid self-seeding

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to some fungal and virus diseases