Dead-nettle: species, location & effect as a medicinal plant

Dead-nettle is not only an edible wild plant with medicinal characteristics, it also decorates natural home gardens with its diverse species and varieties. At the same time propagation, planting and care of dead-nettle turns out to be surprisingly simple.

Dead-nettle (Lamium) is a diverse wild herb that is equally eye-catching in the garden all year around. In the kitchen and home pharmacy it is a popular ingredient. The following article contains a profile of dead-nettle and gives tips on cultivation and care.

Dead-nettle: flower, origin and characteristics

The dead-nettle is found worldwide and belongs to the plant family of the labiates (Lamiaceae). The name originally comes from the similarity of the leaves to the stinging nettle, except that it has no stinging hairs, which makes it “deaf”, so to speak.

Expert tip: Dead-nettle is very valuable for native insects.
It has an abundant and sweet nectar, which makes it very popular with insects. However, the elongated flower shape makes it accessible only to insects with long proboscises, such as bumblebees and butterflies. Wild bees like to collect the pollen of dead-nettle and for butterfly caterpillars the leaves serve as a meal.

The colour of the flowers of dead-nettle varies from white, yellow and purple to a deep purple. The zygomorphic flowers form a calyx with the petals fused into a smaller upper lip and a larger, sometimes patterned lower lip. The leaves are heart-shaped to ovoid and serrated at the edges. Another feature of dead-nettle is its square stem, on which the leaves are arranged opposite. The blooming period of dead-nettle begins as early as May and can sometimes be observed until November. Reproduction of Lamium species is either asexual by underground root runners or sexual by seeds. These are readily collected by ants because of the oily seed coat (Elaiosome) and spread incidentally. Dead-nettles grow herbaceous and perennial or only annual, depending on the species. Even in winter, this evergreen plant is an eye-catcher in the garden.

Danger of confusion with the dead-nettle

There is a danger of confusing dead-nettles with other plants in the case of stinging nettle (Urtica), although the two plants are not even closely related. The leaves, which look similar at first glance, can lead to confusion. Growth habit, growth height and site requirements are also comparable. Often the two plants grow right next to each other.

What is the difference between nettle and dead-nettle? The familiar stinging hairs of the stinging nettle are not found on dead-nettle. Furthermore, the plants have totally different flowering. The small, inconspicuous yellowish-brown flowers of the stinging nettle are hardly noticeable, while the colourful and elegantly shaped flowers of the dead-nettle immediately catch the eye. In addition, the plants smell completely different – the flowers of dead-nettle have a sweet scent, while the flowers of nettle are rather inconspicuous and herbaceous.

Dead-nettle as a weed

Especially in agriculture dead-nettle is considered a weed due to its rapid reproduction by runners. In the garden, they can quickly take over and suppress other plants if not kept somewhat in check.

However, the plant also brings advantages as a wild herb. Due to its unpretentiousness, as far as the location is concerned, it colonises even shady, unfavourable places, for example, under bushes and hedges. There it forms a flowering and fragrant carpet that is not only beautiful to look at but is also readily used by wild bees and butterflies as a food source. In addition, dead-nettle is used as a medicinal herb and in the kitchen.

To control the spread of dead-nettle, the superfluous plants must be uprooted before they bloom. The soil should be thoroughly loosened and as many roots as possible must be removed, because from each part of the root can grow again a new dead-nettle. Planting in a container or creating a border around the bed also effectively limits the growth of dead-nettle.

The most beautiful species and varieties of dead-nettle

The most beautiful species of dead-nettle can be found not only in the garden but also in the wild. Below you can get an idea of the most interesting dead-nettles.

• White dead-nettle (Lamium album): White flowering dead-nettle is very common and is popularly used as a medicinal plant. It is mostly perennial, can grow up to 50 cm tall, and is hardy. In the garden, it is often used as groundcover and underplanting, but thrives equally well in pots.

• Purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum): This common annual herbaceous plant with purple flowers has purple leaf markings and a reddish glow. It grows up to 20 cm high and prefers sunny places. Early spring blooms provide food for a wide variety of insects, including butterflies, bumblebees and wild bees.

• Balm-leaved archangel (Lamium orvala): With a height of up to 60 cm, the largest representative of the dead-nettles is also called nettle king. The variety ˈAlbumˈ is a white-flowering, perennial and clump-forming perennial that grows upright. It prefers nutrient-rich soil in a semi-shaded location.

• Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon): This yellow-flowering perennial grows up to 30 cm tall and serves as groundcover or as a shade plant on the edges of woody plants. Yellow archangel is edible and therefore a popular ingredient in the kitchen. In the rapidly spreading variety ˈFlorentinumˈ the decorative silvery pattern on the leaves is particularly pronounced. The cultivar ˈHermann’s Prideˈ, on the other hand, is somewhat more weak-growing and the leaves are greenish-whitish with strong, dark green leaf veins. The variety ˈSilver Carpetˈ offers equally decorative, silvery patterned foliage.

Tip: In the case of silvery-leaved dead-nettle (Lamium galeobdolon sbsp. argentatum) is a subspecies of yellow archangel, which – as the name suggests – has a silvery pattern on the leaves. It is often found under the name of the underlying species or sold as a variety of the same. An obsolete synonym is Lamium argentatum, as the subspecies was formerly thought to be a distinct species.

• Spotted dead-nettle (Lamium maculatum): The perennial, up to 25 cm tall, blooms purple or white, with the lower lip of the flowers patterned. The leaves also show partial patterning. It works well as a groundcover and underplanting as well as a potted plant. Popular species are ˈAlbumˈ, ˈArgenteumˈ, ˈShell Pinkˈ or ˈWhite Nancyˈ.

Planting dead-nettle

Dead-nettles are quite undemanding, hardy plants. They prefer semi-shady to shady and, depending on the species, dry to fresh locations. Waterlogging, dryness and all-day sun should be avoided. In the garden, dead-nettle can be found in many different places, for example, as a groundcover under bushes, trees and shrubs or at the edges of woody plants. Because dead-nettle is a pointer plant for nitrogen, it thrives especially splendidly in humus-rich, nutrient-rich, fresh soil. The best time to plant dead-nettles is in May and June, although it is possible throughout the growing season.

The following should be observed when planting in the flowerbed:

• The root ball of dead-nettle should be well watered before planting.
• The planting hole must be twice the size of the root ball.
• The garden soil can be enhanced with compost if necessary. Here, for example, our Plantura Organic Enriched Compost is suitable, which is rich in nitrogen and very humus.
• Dead-nettle is planted, well pressed and watered sufficiently.
• Dead-nettles generally like to stand together in societies and often cover larger areas.
• With a planting distance of 25 cm set in groups of 10 plants or more, dead-nettle looks visually appealing.

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If the dead-nettle is to be planted in a pot or tub, proceed exactly as described above. Our Plantura Organic Enriched Compost is also suitable for cultivation in pots, as compost with its very good water and nutrient capacity meets all the requirements of dead-nettle.

Tip: For dead-nettles in a pot, it makes sense to additionally create a drainage layer in the lower area of the pot, for example with clay shards, to prevent waterlogging.

The right care

The care of dead-nettle is quite uncomplicated, as it is a hardy plant.

Irrigation

In the flowerbed additional watering is necessary only in extremely dry conditions. In the pot, on the contrary, the plant should be watered regularly, so that the soil is always kept very slightly moist.

Fertilising dead-nettles

To meet the nutrient needs of dead-nettle in the long term, a soil must be naturally very rich in nutrients. In normal or poor soils and in pots, fertilisation promotes optimal plant growth. Here, for example, our Plantura All Purpose Plant Food is suitable but also compost or manure can be used. Our primarily organic complete fertiliser preserves the soil humus, offers the dead-nettle sufficient nitrogen and is animal-free and environmentally friendly – and you can harvest and use the dead-nettle without hesitation, which is unfortunately not unreservedly the case when using animal-based farm fertilisers.

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Diseases and pests

Gray mould (Botrytis cinerea) may occur in dead-nettle. To prevent the spread of fungal infection, the affected plants are removed. Aphids can also because problems for dead-nettle. But, as a rule, treat the plant is not necessary: ensure healthy growth, then dead-nettle is resistant enough to give the so-called “insect pests” some of their proliferating energy.

Do not despair if dead-nettle does not bloom in the first year, most species do not do so until the second or third year.

Is the dead-nettle hardy?

Dead-nettle is hardy and easily survives temperatures down to – 30 °C. For potted plants, it is nevertheless advisable to protect dead-nettle from extreme sub-zero temperatures by using insulating material.

Propagation

Once dead-nettle has established itself in a location, it normally reproduces itself by seed and root runners. Specific propagation can be achieved by dividing the root ball, via cuttings or by seeds.

Propagation by division of the root ball

• This is best done in autumn.
• Prick out a ball of sufficient size with enough roots, stems and leaves.
• Dig a planting hole of sufficient size in the desired location.
• The root ball is planted there at the same height and watered.

Propagation of dead-nettle via cuttings

• This method is possible throughout the summer.
• First, cut off any young, non-flowering stems of dead-nettle.
• Place the cuttings in a glass with water so that they form roots.
• As soon as the first roots are visible, you can plant the cuttings of dead-nettle. It is recommended to plant 2 – 3 cuttings per seed pot.
• Our Plantura Organic Herb & Seeding Compost is suitable for this purpose, as it optimally supports the root growth of the young plants. This is achieved by the loose and nutrient-reduced composition.

Reproduction of dead-nettle by seed

• Collect dead-nettle seeds from summer to fall.
• Sowing fine seeds is carried out between March and June directly into the bed or in pots.
• Be sure to cover the seed only thinly with soil.
• The pots are placed outdoors, somewhat protected. Germination takes place in the spring.

Tip: The easiest way to propagate is by dividing the root ball. Propagation via cuttings is also practical – especially if you want to grow several plants at once. Propagation of dead-nettle by seed is somewhat more difficult and requires patience.

Is dead-nettle edible or poisonous?

Dead-nettle can be grown in the garden without hesitation, as all parts of the plant are non-toxic. This edible wild herb is also popular in the kitchen as well as in natural medicine.

Usage and effects of dead-nettle

In naturopathy, dead-nettle is used for respiratory, skin and digestive problems, gynaecological disorders and wound healing. Due to the essential oils, tannins, glycosides, saponins and mucilage contained in the plant, it has an expectorant, detoxifying and haemostatic effect. For application one uses mainly the flowers but also leaves and shoot tips. The plant parts are dried and then used internally or externally, for example as a tea or poultice. Dead-nettle tea is popular for coughs and inflammation of the mouth and throat, while dead-nettle compresses are good for skin irritations.

In the kitchen, dead-nettle is used in many ways. The young leaves taste spicy-nutty and are popular in salads, soups or as steamed vegetables. Also the flowers with their sweet note and beautiful colour are an eye-catcher in salad and as decoration of desserts. Dead-nettle is not only suitable for human cooking – our pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and turtles are also big fans of dead-nettle as a food plant.

Dead-nettle is a well-suited and low-maintenance plant for a naturalistic garden with many uses. It also combines well with other plants such as boysenberry, which is also an excellent bee pasture.