Plant of the day: Nettle

Photo: Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons. Photos are for illustration only; never use a plant because of how it looks in a photo.

Meet Nettle, Urtica dioica. A tall, wild, spiky-looking plant whose leaves sting on contact, yet make good spring greens once cooked.

In the garden

Moist, rich soil in sun or part shade. Leave a patch at the edge of the garden; it feeds butterfly caterpillars.

In the kitchen

Wear gloves. Pick young tops in spring and cook them or dry them; cooking removes the sting. Make soup, pesto or tea.

Take care

• Never eat nettles raw. Use only young spring tops, cooked or dried.
• May interact with blood pressure, blood-thinning and diabetes medicines; ask a pharmacist if you take any.
• Traditionally avoided in pregnancy.

Under tonight's sky: the Moon is in Virgo, about 32% lit.

Every plant page here carries its safety notes, and you can read this one in full on our Nettle page.

Where to buy

Dried herb: Mountain Rose Herbs, Starwest Botanicals

Seeds: Botanical Interests, Burpee, Park Seed

Live plants: Burpee, Park Seed

These links go to the seller websites themselves. We are not paid for them.

In the app you can add Nettle to My Garden and keep notes as it grows. There is more in the app, including the folklore and old traditions of nettle. It is free to start, and a 3-day trial of Plus or Premium lets you look around before deciding.

Please note. Folklore and garden information only, not medical advice. Do not eat or use any plant unless you are certain what it is and that it is safe for you. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, on medicine, or choosing for a child or pet.

For entertainment and reflection only. Nothing here is a prediction or advice.