Annual Nettle Plant Care
Urtica urens L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Urtica urens, commonly known as annual nettle, dwarf nettle, small nettle, dog nettle, burning nettle, or bush nettle is a herbaceous annual flowering plant species in the nettle family Urticaceae. It is native to Eurasia, including the Himalayan regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim in India and can be found in North America, New Zealand and South Africa as an introduced species.
Every 3–7 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Annual Nettle?
Water Annual 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 Annual Nettle Native To?
What Is the Annual Nettle?
Annual Nettle (Urtica urens) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Urtica genus. Annual Nettle is native to Eurasia, including the Himalayan regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim in India and can be found in North America, New Zealand and South Africa as an introduced species. Annual Nettle is also known as Small Nettle, Dwarf Nettle.
Annual Nettle displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Annual Nettle produces small greenish flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Annual Nettle?
Urtica urens 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 Annual Nettle Need?
Annual Nettle thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Annual Nettle Prefer?
Urtica urens grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Annual Nettle prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Annual Nettle?
Rich, moist soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Annual Nettle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Annual Nettle?
Feed Annual 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 Annual 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 Annual Nettle?
Annual 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 Annual 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 Annual Nettle?
Annual 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 Annual Nettle Need?
Annual Nettle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Annual Nettle is native to Eurasia, including the Himalayan regions of Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim in India and can be found in North America, New Zealand and South Africa as an introduced species. In cooler regions, grow Annual Nettle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Annual 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.
Annual 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 urens L., family Urticaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 984 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Annual 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 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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