Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle (Stinging Nettle) is one of the most powerful medicinal and nutrient-dense plants you can grow. This hardy perennial has been used for centuries as food, medicine, livestock feed, compost activator, and fertilizer. Rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, protein, and vitamins A, C, and K, nettle is often considered one of nature’s ultimate survival plants. Once established, it returns year after year and produces abundant harvests.

🌱 What You’re Getting

Your stinging nettle will arrive as a live bare root plant or rooted division, ready to establish quickly in your garden. Bare root plants transplant well and often outperform potted plants once settled.

📦 When It Arrives (First Steps)

• Open immediately and inspect the plant
• If roots seem dry, soak in water for 1–2 hours before planting
• Plant as soon as possible for best success
• If you must wait, keep roots cool and slightly moist
• Do not allow roots to dry out

⚠️ Wear gloves when handling—fresh nettle leaves can sting the skin.

🌿 How to Plant

• Plant in full sun to partial shade
• Prefers rich, moist, fertile soil
• Space plants 18–24 inches apart
• Plant roots just below soil level and water well

Nettle thrives near compost piles, in rich garden beds, or in moist naturalized areas.

🌞 How to Grow & Care

• Keep soil consistently moist, especially while establishing
• Mulch heavily to retain moisture
• Feed with compost or organic fertilizer for vigorous growth
• Cut back often to encourage tender new growth
• Spreads by roots and seed if allowed

⚠️ Nettles can spread aggressively in ideal conditions.

✂️ Harvesting

• Harvest young leaves when plants are 6–12 inches tall for best flavor and medicinal quality
• Wear gloves when harvesting fresh
• Drying, cooking, or crushing removes the sting
• Multiple harvests can be taken each season

Leaves, stems, seeds, and roots all have traditional uses.

❤️ How to Love This Plant

Give nettle rich soil and moisture, and it will reward you heavily. Harvest often, keep it contained if needed, and enjoy one of the most nutrient-packed plants on earth.

🌿 Why Every Homestead Should Have It

• Highly nutritious “superfood” plant
• Excellent for teas, tinctures, soups, powders, and animal feed
• Makes one of the best natural fertilizers and compost teas
• Perennial and highly productive
• Valuable medicinal herb for generations

Stinging nettle is not just a weed—it is food, medicine, fertilizer, and survival all in one plant.