Slender nettle Plant Care
Urtica dioica subsp. gracilis (Aiton) Selander
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Urtica gracilis, commonly known as the slender nettle, tall nettle, or American stinging nettle, is a perennial plant without woody stems that is well known for the unpleasant stinging hairs on its leaves and stems. It is native to much of the North American continent from Guatemala northwards and temperate areas of South America.
Every 3–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Slender nettle?
Water Slender nettle every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Slender nettle Native To?
What Is the Slender nettle?
Slender nettle (Urtica dioica subsp. gracilis) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Urtica genus. Slender nettle is native to much of the North American continent from Guatemala northwards and temperate areas of South America. Slender nettle is also known as Stinging nettle, Common nettle.
Slender nettle displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Slender nettle produces small greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Slender nettle?
Urtica dioica subsp. gracilis requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Slender nettle Need?
Slender nettle thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Slender nettle Prefer?
Urtica dioica subsp. gracilis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Slender nettle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Slender nettle?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Slender nettle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Slender nettle?
Feed Slender nettle every 4 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 4 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 Slender nettle?
Repot every 1-2 years 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 Slender nettle?
Slender nettle can be propagated through seeds, division of roots, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to stinging nettle plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Slender nettle Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets
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 Slender nettle?
Slender nettle is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, caterpillars. 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 Slender nettle Need?
Slender nettle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Slender nettle is native to much of the North American continent from Guatemala northwards and temperate areas of South America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Slender 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 Urtica genus — compare its care with other Urtica species on PlantoScan.
Urtica is part of the Urticaceae plant family — browse all Urticaceae genera and species.
Slender nettle thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Urtica Species
Other Urtica species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Urtica dioica subsp. gracilis (Aiton) Selander, family Urticaceae (first published in Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 41: 271. 1947 as dioeca) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Slender nettle is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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