Stinging Nettle Seeds

Stinging Nettle Seeds - Urtica dioica - Common Nettle - tth’uxtth’ux

Urtica dioica
Common Nettle
tth’uxtth’ux

Hardy to Zone 3
Full to Partial Shade
Germination Tested Not tested

$5.00 CAD

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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

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

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, United States for $12, and Internationally for $20*. Live plants and large bulbs 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 ship all US orders via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-2 weeks to arrive.

In our experience shipping seeds over several years, most small orders will make it across the border without issues, but occasionally they will be held at US Customs.

It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that seeds or bulbils are allowed to be sent to your region. We are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs in your country.

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: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. 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.