Hedge Nettle Plant Care
Stachys tenuifolia Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stachys tenuifolia, the smooth hedgenettle, is a herbaceous perennial plant in the family Lamiaceae.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Hedge Nettle?
Plant Hedge Nettle in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Hedge Nettle?
Hedge Nettle (Stachys tenuifolia) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Stachys genus. Hedge Nettle is also known as Betony.
Hedge Nettle displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Hedge Nettle produces small tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
What Light Does the Hedge Nettle Need?
Hedge Nettle thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hedge Nettle?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hedge Nettle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a 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 Hedge Nettle?
Prune 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 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 Hedge Nettle?
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 Hedge Nettle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list 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 Hedge Nettle?
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
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.
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 tenuifolia Willd., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 3: 100 (1800)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list 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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