Stinging Nettle
Urtica dioicaPerennial with edible young leaves/shoots (cooked). Native to OK; grows wild; harvest with gloves; exceptional mineral accumulator
What to know before finding it a place.
Growing notes for our conditions.
Regional fit still depends on the actual site—especially drainage, exposure, irrigation, soil and the specific cultivar selected.
Oklahoma notes
Native to OK; grows wild; harvest with gloves; exceptional mineral accumulator
Disease resistance
Excellent
Pruning
Cut back in summer; divide and contain; wear gloves
Care
Sting disappears when cooked/dried; highly nutritious; excellent KNF input plant
Drought tolerance
Moderate; consistent moisture improves performance
Plan the partners before planting the tree.
Pollination reference
For fruiting plants, compatible bloom timing and nearby partners can matter as much as the cultivar itself.
The cultivar can matter as much as the species.
These references help narrow the large number of named varieties to options better aligned with Zone 7A conditions, disease pressure and useful harvest windows.
Zone 7A Recommended Varieties
These are recommendations carried in the Organix Zone 7A reference database. They are not automatically the same as a cultivar personally proven by Organix on every site; site conditions and availability still matter.
How this plant can function in a larger system.
Landscape functions
Edible; Attractor; Accumulator; Medicinal
Edible parts
Young leaves/shoots (cooked)
Companion plants
Comfrey, Elderberry, Fruit trees
Community / companion role
Pollination: Dioecious (wind pollinated); Companions: Comfrey, Elderberry, Fruit trees
Food-forest layer
Herbaceous
Oklahoma classification
Primary
Support the plant without overcomplicating the system.
Soil preferences
Preferred pH 5.5-7.0
KNF / fertility schedule
Use nettles to make FPJ — top KNF input; spring harvest for cooking
Maintenance
Cut back in summer; divide and contain; wear gloves
Plant performance varies with microclimate, soil, drainage, water, maintenance and cultivar. Organix uses the library to narrow good candidates, then makes final selections around the actual site.
Edible and medicinal tags describe traditional or practical plant uses in the landscape and are not medical advice. Always verify identification, preparation and individual suitability before consuming a plant.