Urtica gracilis Plant Care
Urtica gracilis Aiton
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 Urtica gracilis?
Water Urtica gracilis 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 Urtica gracilis Native To?
What Is the Urtica gracilis?
Urtica gracilis (Urtica gracilis) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Urtica genus. Urtica gracilis is native to much of the North American continent from Guatemala northwards and temperate areas of South America.
Urtica gracilis displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Urtica gracilis produces small greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Urtica gracilis?
Urtica 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 Urtica gracilis Need?
Urtica gracilis thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Urtica gracilis Prefer?
Urtica gracilis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Urtica gracilis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Urtica gracilis?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Urtica gracilis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Urtica gracilis?
Feed Urtica gracilis 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 Urtica gracilis?
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 Urtica gracilis?
Urtica gracilis 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 Urtica gracilis 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 Urtica gracilis?
Urtica gracilis 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 Urtica gracilis Need?
Urtica gracilis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Urtica gracilis is native to much of the North American continent from Guatemala northwards and temperate areas of South America. In cooler regions, grow Urtica gracilis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Urtica gracilis 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.
Urtica gracilis 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 gracilis Aiton, family Urticaceae (first published in Hort. Kew. 3: 341 (1789)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Urtica gracilis 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 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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