Deadnettles resemble their distant cousin, the stinging nettle, in growth habit and leaves. In contrast to this, the leaves do not have any hairs that cause the infamous burning sensation. The flowers are also much larger than those of the nettle. There are also dead nettles in different colors.
What is a deadnettle profile?
The deadnettle is an undemanding, native plant with around 80 species and lip-shaped flowers in white, pink, yellow or purple. It grows in shady, moist locations and is edible, non-toxic and healing. The flowering period is from March to November and it attracts insects, especially bumblebees.
Data and facts about deadnettle
- Botanical name: Lamium
- Name suffixes: album, purpureum, orvala, galeobdolon, argentatum, maculatum
- Popular names: bee suck, magic herb, death herb, nettle, flower nettle
- Family: Mint family (Lamiaceae)
- Origin: native plant, Asia
- Species: around 80 worldwide
- Distribution: worldwide
- Site conditions: undemanding, shady, moist without waterlogging
- Size: 20 to 80 cm depending on the variety
- Leaves: green, leaf-like, jagged, hairy but not burning
- Flowers: Labial flowers on false whorls with short bracts
- Colors: White, Pink, Yellow, Purple
- Flowering time: all year round from March to November depending on the variety
- Propagation: runners, seeds, partial fruits
- Winter hardy: up to -30 degrees
- Toxicity: all parts of the plant are non-toxic
- Use: ornamental plant, medicinal plant, animal feed, bumblebee willow
Use as a garden plant
The deadnettle is often incorrectly described as a weed. The undemanding plant copes wonderfully with shady locations and forms dense carpets there. Dead nettles can also be easily grown in pots or buckets.
During flowering, the plants emit a very sweet, aromatic scent. This is also how you can distinguish dead nettles from stinging nettles.
However, deadnettle tends to spread uncontrollably. Creating a root barrier and eliminating ants will help combat excessive sprawl. Ants ensure the spread by carrying away the partial fruits.
Use in the kitchen
Deadnettles are not poisonous. Leaves and flowers are edible and are used in salads, fish dishes and to decorate desserts.
The dead nettle is also considered a medicinal plant that has been used in natural medicine for centuries.
Other uses
Planting dead nettles is particularly worthwhile for natural gardens. With their sweet scent and strong colors, the labiate flowers particularly attract bumblebees with their long proboscis and other insects.
Tips & Tricks
Deaf nettles are also very popular with pets such as guinea pigs, rabbits and turtles. However, you should only use plants for feeding that you are sure have not been sprayed or contaminated in any other way.
