How to Grow and Care for Dead-nettles

Purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) is an herbaceous annual weed, commonly found in meadows, wastes, gardens, and at the edges of roads and woodlands. Though it appears similar to true nettles, purple dead-nettle gets its name because it does not have "live" nettle poison that harms the skin. It originated in Asia and prefers environments with full sun.

Henbit deadnettle is a very important part of the North American and Eurasian ecosystems, as it is utilized by bees and other pollinators as a source of nectar. Additionally, the seeds are favored by birds and the leaves, stems, and flowers are edible to humans either raw or cooked.

Spotted Dead Nettles is most often known as a ground cover plant that does well in the shade. It has a habit of growing low to the ground in cold seasons and tall if conditions are warm. Although its name sounds sinister, the spotted Dead Nettles does not sting or burn like other nettles - hence the term ‘dead’ nettle. One cultivar of the species produces yellow leaves rather than the characteristic green-and-silver ones.

Yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) is a wildflower native to Europe. Yellow archangel is considered invasive in certain areas because it spreads rapidly. It is banned for sale in Washington state because it is considered a noxious weed in that region.

White deadnettle (Lamium album) earns its common name from the fact that it superficially resembles the stinging nettle, but does not sting. The young greens are edible and have many culinary uses. In spring, white deadnettle produces small white flowers that are very attractive to pollinators, particularly bumblebees.