Stinging Nettle Seeds
Stinging Nettle Seeds - Urtica dioica - Common Nettle, tth’uxtth’ux
Common Nettle, tth’uxtth’ux
- Hardy to Zone 3
Full to Partial Shade
- Germination Tested Not tested
- Approximately 200+ seeds per pack
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Stinging Nettle is a nutritious and delicious perennial vegetable with medicinal properties. It can be used cooked as a spinach alternative, and also made into a nourishing tea that is high in iron and vitamin C. Nettle is used in herbalism to support skin, energy levels, allergies, and as a general health tonic. It is one of the earliest spring greens to harvest.
Nettles have stinging hairs, so should be harvested with gloves. (Some people enjoy the stinging sensation, as it can bring beneficial blood flow to arthritic areas and sore muscles.) Harvest the first few inches of the plant before the stems start getting tough. Keep harvesting regularly and the plants will keep producing tender new growth into the summer. Steam, cook with eggs, make into soup or pesto... the sky's the limit! Leaves can be dried for later use as food or tea.
The seeds themselves can be eaten as an energy tonic, but avoid eating the leaves after the plant has gone to flower as some people say they can be irritating to the urinary tract.
Nettle prefers to grow in moist, semi-shaded areas with rich soil. They will spread by runners, so choose your planting spot wisely, or plan to mow around the nettle patch to keep it contained. I welcome nettle to spread as it's such a delicious and nourishing low-maintenance perennial vegetable! They are easily propagated by root cuttings or division once established.
Nettle supports all kinds of insects such as native butterflies, so be sure to leave some when harvesting. Nettle can also be used alone or alongside plants such as comfrey to make compost tea to fertilize the garden. Plants can grow to about 6 feet tall with graceful arching stems.
Growing Instructions
Growing Instructions
Seeds likely require cold stratification (likely 30-90 days), which can be done in the fridge, or naturally outdoors if planted in fall or late winter. Press into soil surface or just cover barely, since nettle seeds require light to germinate. After stratification, keep at 15-20 degrees C to sprout, or allow for natural spring temperatures.
Grow on in pots until large enough to be planted out.
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, United States for $20, and Internationally for $20*. Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada.
Any shipping overages will be refunded.
Shipping in Canada
We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order. Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.
Shipping to the US
We now require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Lot Seed Permit before purchasing. It's free to apply and you will likely be granted the permit instantly. To apply:
- Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
- Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
- Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit. You may list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import.
- Once you receive your permit, email us a PDF copy, including the yellow/green coloured labels. Tell us if which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose a random one. Also let us know your order number. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
- We are not able to send any pepper or tomato seeds, or any bulbils due to restrictions.
After receiving your documentation, we will follow all requirements for mailing your seeds. We will ship via tracked parcel. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs.
Shipping Internationally
International orders are usually shipped via untracked packet. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held of confiscated by customs.
International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.
This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page
Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option.
If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.
*Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars.
Ecologically Grown
Ecologically Grown
Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.



