Canada Nettle

Laportea canadensis

Wood Nettle

Canada Wood Nettle is a native perennial herbaceous plant found in moist woodlands, swamps, streambanks, and floodplains. It features broad, serrated leaves with stinging hairs that can cause mild skin irritation upon contact. Small, greenish-white flowers bloom in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This species is an important host plant for several butterfly larvae, including the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta). Thriving in rich, shaded soils, Canada Wood Nettle contributes to biodiversity and supports forest understory ecosystems.

Try planting this species with Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense), Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), Virginia WIldrye (Elymus virginicus), and Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) in similar moist, shaded habitats.