California Hedge-nettle Plant Care
Stachys chamissonis Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stachys chamissonis is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name coastal hedgenettle. It is a perennial herb native to the west coast of North America, where it grows in moist coastal habitat from Alaska to central California.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for California Hedge-nettle?
Plant California Hedge-nettle in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the California Hedge-nettle Native To?
What Is the California Hedge-nettle?
California Hedge-nettle (Stachys chamissonis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Stachys genus. California Hedge-nettle is native to the west coast of North America.
California Hedge-nettle displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . California Hedge-nettle produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
What Light Does the California Hedge-nettle Need?
California Hedge-nettle thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Hedge-nettle?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for California Hedge-nettle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a California Hedge-nettle?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Do You Prune a California Hedge-nettle?
Prune California Hedge-nettle while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a California Hedge-nettle in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a California Hedge-nettle?
California Hedge-nettle can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to annual betony plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Hedge-nettle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Hedge-nettle, 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 California Hedge-nettle?
California Hedge-nettle 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.
Keep exploring plants
California Hedge-nettle 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 Stachys genus — compare its care with other Stachys species on PlantoScan.
Stachys is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
California Hedge-nettle thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Stachys Species
Other Stachys species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stachys chamissonis Benth., family Lamiaceae (first published in Linnaea 6: 80 (1831)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Hedge-nettle, 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.
- 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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