Indian Stinging Nettle Plant Care

Indian Stinging Nettle (Tragia involucrata) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Tragia genus. Indian Stinging Nettle is also known as Stinging Nettle.

Indian Stinging Nettle displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Indian Stinging Nettle produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Indian Stinging Nettle every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Indian Stinging Nettle thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Indian Stinging Nettle in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Tragia involucrata tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Indian Stinging Nettle prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Indian Stinging Nettle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Indian Stinging Nettle every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Indian Stinging Nettle is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Indian Stinging Nettle can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Indian Stinging 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.

Indian Stinging Nettle is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Indian Stinging Nettle can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tragia balfourii plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Indian Stinging 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.

Indian Stinging Nettle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Indian Stinging Nettle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.