Stinging Tree Plant Care
Laportea grossa (Wedd.) Chew
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Laportea grossa, or spotted nettle, is an African plant in the family Urticaceae, and one of 31 species in the genus. This species occurs in shady places in coastal and escarpment forests, closed woodland and on streambanks from George through the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal to southern Mozambique.
Every 4–7 days
Partial to full shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Stinging Tree?
Water Stinging Tree every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Stinging Tree?
Stinging Tree (Laportea grossa) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Laportea genus. Stinging Tree is also known as Wood Nettle.
Stinging Tree displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Stinging Tree produces inconspicuous greenish flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stinging Tree?
Laportea grossa requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Stinging Tree Need?
Stinging Tree thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Stinging Tree in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stinging Tree Prefer?
Laportea grossa grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Stinging Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stinging Tree?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Stinging Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stinging Tree?
Feed Stinging Tree every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Stinging Tree?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Stinging Tree?
Stinging Tree can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to canadian wood nettle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Stinging Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stinging Tree, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Stinging Tree?
Stinging Tree is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Stinging Tree Need?
Stinging Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Stinging Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Stinging Tree is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Laportea genus — compare its care with other Laportea species on PlantoScan.
Laportea is part of the Urticaceae plant family — browse all Urticaceae genera and species.
Stinging Tree copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Laportea grossa (Wedd.) Chew, family Urticaceae (first published in Gard. Bull. Singapore 21: 200 (1965)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stinging Tree, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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