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 Feb 2, 2025: 65%

Approximately 200+ seeds per pack

$6.95 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.

I am so glad I finally started a nettle patch on my property. I was worried about being stung, but I planted them in a corner where no one frequents, and now I can more easily harvest nettles without driving anywhere, and we’re eating a lot more nettles than I otherwise would as a result. I highly recommend starting your own patch!

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.) The sting goes away when the leaves are cooked or dried.

Harvest the top 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. Try chopping the plant to the ground in late summer to stimulate a flush of tender new leaves to harvest. Steam, cook with eggs, make into soup or pesto... the sky's the limit! My all-time favourite way to eat nettles are steamed and drenched in a Japanese sesame sauce (goma dare) (see last picture). Leaves can be dried for later use as food or nutritious and tasty 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.

The old woody stalks can also be used to make strong string or rope.

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 or fermented plant juice to fertilize the garden. Plants can grow to about 6 feet tall with graceful arching stems.

Growing Instructions

Seeds seem to require cold stratification and light to germinate. Cold stratify for 30 days in the fridge, then plant. Seeds will continue to germinate for 90+ days.

Or the easier way to cold stratify is to sow outdoors 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

By placing an order, customers agree to the shipping & refund policies detailed on this page.

Most orders are sent via Canada Post to keep costs low.

Shipping within Canada

We ship seeds in Canada via Canada Post's regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-4 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally letter mail takes up to 6 weeks, especially to the Eastern provinces and rural areas.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery and/or tracking.

Larger bulbs and plants are usually sent via tracked flat rate box.

Shipping to the US

UPDATE FEB 2, 2026: WE ARE TAKING A BREAK ON ACCEPTING US ORDERS DUE TO ISSUES WITH USPS

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Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom. (List updated Aug 31, 2026)

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.

Refund Policy

Refunds: We stand behind our seeds, so if for some reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, please reach out to us via email and we will do our best to make it right. Please note that shipping costs are non-refundable.

Cancelled orders: If you wish to cancel an order after purchasing, we may refund your order minus card processing and admin fees at our discretion. We do not accept returns on seeds or plants.

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