Urtica fissa Seeds | Stinging Nettle
LATIN NAME: Urtica fissa
COMMON NAME: Stinging Nettle
Plant Profile
Stinging Nettle (Urtica fissa) grows as a perennial in the nettle family, native to moist, rich places of the eastern Asia, while it grows in open, moist, rich places. In nettle family it is stinging, leafy herb of wayside, a plant whose touch everyone knows and whose value butterflies and gardeners both understand. Mature plants top out at about One metre. Bees and other pollinators visit the flowers freely through the season. For the gardener, the sum of these traits is a plant that is easy to live with.
Science & Biotechnology
Within the nettle family, Urtica fissa is of continuing interest to researchers working on plant diversity, seed biology and the selection of improved garden forms. Stinging hairs of nettle are a small wonder of plant science, and papers on little mechanism that delivers tingling compounds when leaf is touched have kept botanists busy for generations. With present-day seed handling, raising this species well within the reach of any careful grower.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Stinging Nettle earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. In wildlife corner, stinging nettle is leafy plant that feeds the butterflies. Its small, greenish flowers feed insects, dense, leafy growth gives cover to small creatures, and leaves are a treasured food of caterpillars of fine butterflies. Young leaves have served as a green vegetable of spring, and strong fibres have served crafts of many lands. Beyond the establishment year, its needs are simple and few.
Nettle is the sting that heals: the leaf is a mineral-rich spring tonic and soup green, the root a standardized European remedy for urinary comfort in prostate enlargement, and the fiber made cloth before cotton; dry or cook the leaves and the sting vanishes.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Stinging Nettle under ordinary good conditions. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide bright light. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Stinging Nettle earns its space through character rather than fuss. Part of this plant’s appeal is the long practical history summarized above. Beginners will find it patient of imperfect technique.
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