Canadian Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis)

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Canadian Wood Nettle
Latin Name: Laportea canadensis
Alternate Names: wood nettle
Hardiness Zones: USDA zones 3–8
Typical Height: 2–5 ft (60–150 cm)
Typical Spread: 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) per clump; may form larger colonies
Bloom Period: Summer, typically June–August in the northern hemisphere
Soil Preferences: Rich, moist to consistently damp soils with good organic matter. Tolerates clay or loam and seasonally wet spots. Prolonged drought or very dry soils are problematic.
Light Preferences: Part shade to full shade. Dappled sun tolerated when soil remains cool and moist. Hot, exposed sun in dry soils reduces vigor.
Toxicity: Stinging hairs cause contact dermatitis and a burning or stinging sensation. Not typically described as highly poisonous if ingested but ingestion may cause irritation. Use gloves when handling and consult poison control for ingestion questions.
Propagation: By seed and by vegetative spread producing local colonies. Sow seed in fall or spring and divide established patches in spring if transplanting.

Key Facts

Native perennial herb of eastern and central North American woodlands
Stinging hairs on leaves and stems cause painful skin irritation on contact
Produces inconspicuous greenish drooping flower clusters in summer
Prefers rich, consistently moist soils in shade or part shade
Often forms local colonies and patches in suitable woodland habitat
Useful for wildlife including insect pollinators though flowers are not showy
Handle with gloves due to stinging hairs

Canadian Wood Nettle (Laportea canadensis) is a native perennial of shady, moist woodlands that often forms local colonies. It supports pollinators but has stinging hairs on leaves and stems so handle with gloves.

Identification

Plants grow upright to about 2 to 5 feet tall and often occur in patches. Leaves and stems bear fine stinging hairs that cause a painful burning or stinging sensation on contact. Flowers are inconspicuous greenish drooping clusters that appear in summer, typically June through August in the northern hemisphere.

Where to grow and common uses

Laportea canadensis prefers rich, consistently moist soils in part shade to full shade, making it appropriate for shaded woodland gardens, riparian edges and naturalized areas. It can be used to fill shady spots where a low-maintenance native understory is desired, but its tendency to form colonies makes it unsuitable for very small beds or tightly planted borders.

Planting and care

Sow seed in fall or spring or transplant divisions in spring. Space plants roughly 1 to 3 feet apart to allow natural clumping without overcrowding. Keep soil consistently moist and rich in organic matter. Hot dry locations reduce vigor and may cause plants to decline.

After flowering and maintenance

Allow foliage to die back naturally so plants can rebuild root reserves. If a patch becomes too large, divide and transplant in spring while wearing gloves. Leave some flower clusters for insects if naturalizing; seeds contribute to local spread.

Control and movement

Canadian Wood Nettle often forms colonies by seed and by vegetative means, so monitor new seedlings and borders for spread. For removal or relocation dig whole clumps, taking care to remove root material and always wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid skin contact.

Safety

Stinging hairs on the undersides of leaves and along stems cause contact dermatitis and a burning sensation. Handle plants with gloves and protective clothing. Ingestion is not typically described as highly poisonous but may cause irritation; consult regional poison control or extension services for specific concerns about pets or people.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Canadian Wood Nettle grow?: Growth rate varies by site. In rich, moist shady sites plants can reach their typical height of 2 to 5 feet within a season and form larger patches over a few seasons by seed and vegetative spread.
When does Canadian Wood Nettle bloom?: It blooms in summer, typically June through August in the northern hemisphere, with small greenish drooping flower clusters.
Is Canadian Wood Nettle poisonous?: Stinging hairs cause painful skin irritation on contact. Ingestion is not commonly reported as highly poisonous but may irritate; contact poison control for ingestion questions.
Can I plant it in a small garden bed?: Exercise caution. It forms colonies and may spread beyond small beds. Plant only where you can tolerate naturalizing or plan to manage spreads by dividing or removing seedlings.
How do I propagate Canadian Wood Nettle?: Propagate by seed sown in fall or spring and by dividing established patches in spring. Handle all material with gloves to avoid stings.