3–6' tall.The benefits of this plant outweigh the risk of a short-lived sting. Biodynamic gardeners use the dark green nettles to increase potency of neighboring herbs and to stimulate humus formation. Young shoots are high in minerals—the leaves are delicious steamed as early spring greens or dried and brewed as tea. Handle fresh and dry herb with gloves. Cooking or steeping removes the sting.
Choose planting site carefully; nettle spreads readily, but cutting back before it goes to seed will help contain it. Both the rhizomes and leaves sting. An indicator of super-fertile soil where it volunteers. Plant in damp rich soil with high nitrogen content; thrives beside manure piles or the leaky side of your compost bin. Z2. Maine Grown. (bare-root crowns)