Common Nettle
Wildflower
The stinging plant of waste ground and gardens — covered in needle-like hairs, yet the single most important nursery plant for Britain's butterflies.
💡 Fun Facts
- Its leaves and stems are covered in tiny stinging hairs that work like miniature needles.
- It is the number-one plant for hungry caterpillars — peacock, small tortoiseshell, red admiral and comma butterflies all grow up on nettles.
- People have eaten it in soup and tea for hundreds of years — cooking it makes the sting disappear.
📅 Through the Year
- Leaf-out:March to April
- Flowering:June to September
- Dormant:November to February