Annual Nettle
Urtica urens
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before using any herbal preparation — especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, while on medication, or for children. How we source & review →
Pl. 8395 — Urtica urens
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IOverview
Overview
Annual Nettle (Urtica urens) is a light-loving annual herb that thrives in moist conditions and grows to about 0.6 meters tall. Native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and Belarus, it has spread widely across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Known for its edible leaves and shoots, this plant can be found growing in various soil types, from light sandy soils to heavier clay soils, with a preference for a pH range of 6.5–7. Its native range is limited compared to its widespread distribution, highlighting its adaptability. One distinctive feature of the annual nettle is its ability to grow in diverse habitats, making it a common sight in many parts of its native and introduced ranges.
Quick answers
What is Annual Nettle?
Annual Nettle (Urtica urens) is a light-loving annual herb that thrives in moist conditions and grows to about 0.6 meters tall. Native to regions including Albania, Algeria, Austria, and Belarus, it has spread widely across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
What is Annual Nettle used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Annual Nettle
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Annual Nettle appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Annual Nettle support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Annual Nettle thrives in light to medium soil that is moist but well-draining, with a pH between 6.5 and 7. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows up to 0.6 meters tall. For propagation, sow seeds directly into the garden bed in spring or early summer for an annual harvest of edible leaves and shoots. This plant is hardy in temperate regions and can be found naturally in many parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
6.5–7
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Annual Nettle for the first time
7steps
Start with Annual Nettle as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost, when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a spot with moist, light soil that is well-draining. Ensure containers have good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.5 cm deep in rows 30 cm apart. Alternatively, transplant young plants into the garden or pots.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil consistently moist and protect from strong winds until established.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any leggy growth to encourage bushy foliage. Harvest young shoots for cooking in late spring.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesShoots
Edible uses: Oil, Drink
Other uses:CompostDyeFiberHairAnimal feedoil
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe14 regions
native (14)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryItalyRussiaSpain
Asia2 regions
native (2)IranIraq
Africa4 regions
native (4)AlgeriaEgyptEritreaEthiopia
Broader regions
native:Irkutsk, Buryatiya, East Aegean Is., Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, Gulf States, Altay
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
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