Spreading perennial with nettle-shaped leaves but no sting, bearing whorls of hooded white flowers from earliest spring well into autumn.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 3–8 | −40 °C to −6.7 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 3–8 | −34 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About White dead nettle
White dead-nettle is not a nettle at all and does not sting — the "dead" in its name refers precisely to that. It is a member of the mint family, which the square stem and two-lipped flowers give away on close inspection, while true nettles belong to an entirely different family. The resemblance in leaf shape is thought to be a case of protective mimicry, deterring grazing animals that have learned to avoid the stinging kind. Its flowers are an important early and long-lasting nectar source for bumblebees.
Growing notes
- Critical early spring forage for emerging queen bumblebees — flowers in March when little else is open
- Looks like stinging nettle but does not sting (no relation — different family)
- Edible young shoots — mild flavour, traditional spring pot herb
- Spreads by underground stems — useful ground cover under hedges and shrubs
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Related plants
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