Urtica massaica Plant Care

Urtica massaica Mildbr.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Urtica massaica is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, referred to in English as the Maasai stinging nettle or forest nettle. It is native to Africa, where it can be found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania; it is found in natural glades and clearings, frequently near houses.

🪴Houseplants
Water

Every 3–7 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Urtica massaica?

Water Urtica massaica 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 massaica Native To?

Native range51 countries

What Is the Urtica massaica?

Urtica massaica (Urtica massaica) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Urtica genus. Urtica massaica is native to Africa.

Urtica massaica displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Urtica massaica produces small greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Urtica massaica?

Urtica massaica 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 massaica Need?

Urtica massaica thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Urtica massaica Prefer?

Urtica massaica grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Urtica massaica prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Urtica massaica?

Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Urtica massaica to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Urtica massaica?

Feed Urtica massaica 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 massaica?

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 massaica?

Urtica massaica 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 massaica 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 massaica?

Urtica massaica 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 massaica Need?

Urtica massaica grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Urtica massaica is native to Africa. In cooler regions, grow Urtica massaica as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Urtica massaica 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 massaica 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 massaica Mildbr., family Urticaceae (first published in Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 8: 275 (1923)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Urtica massaica 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.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Urtica massaica Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species