100 Seeds Smallspike False Nettle Boehmeria cylindrica Native Woodland Groundcover Shade Plant

Smallspike False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) is a native perennial in the nettle family, grown for its understated beauty and its value in shaded, naturalistic landscapes. It forms upright stems clothed in softly textured green leaves, with small green flower spikes that appear along the stems in summer. Unlike stinging nettles, this species is completely stingless, making it a comfortable choice for woodland gardens, rain gardens, and damp meadow plantings. It is a favored plant for native plant enthusiasts, pollinator gardeners, and those seeking low-maintenance greenery for difficult shady corners.
Its foliage provides cover and foraging structure for wildlife, while the subtle flower spikes add fine texture to mixed borders and wild gardens. It works well massed along stream banks, pond edges, and moist woodland paths, and pairs nicely with ferns, sedges, and other shade-loving natives. It can be grown in containers where spread is a concern, and it also functions as a soft green filler in shaded beds. The plant spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding to form colonies over time, making it an excellent choice for naturalizing larger areas.
Species: Boehmeria cylindrica
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Plant_Habit: Upright clumping with rhizomatous spread
Sun: Partial shade to full shade
Soil: Moist to wet, well-drained loam or humus-rich soil
Zones: 3 to 11
Germination: Cold-moist stratify 30 to 60 days for best results; surface sow, light needed for germination
Sowing: Sow on the surface and press gently into soil; do not bury deeply
Spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Notes: Stingless; allow soil to stay consistently moist for best growth; tolerant of wet sites and shade