False Nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica
Last reviewed: September 2026
Boehmeria cylindrica, or false nettle, is a wetland forb that blooms from June through November along streambanks, wet meadows and swampy woods across much of the eastern and central United States.
Toxicity unknown
False Nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag False Nettle as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
48"–60" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
AL, AR, AZ, CT and 35 more states
Pollinators
butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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False Nettle is a tall, upright native perennial that forms narrow clumps in sunny locations. Despite its name, it doesn't sting and produces small greenish flowers from summer through fall. The plant has a somewhat informal appearance and goes dormant in winter.
Growing False Nettle
Grow False Nettle in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 48 to 60 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
False Nettle is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, backyard only.
- May flop without support
- Best in less formal zones
Wildlife value
This plant is particularly valuable for butterflies, serving as both a nectar source and host plant for several species. The long bloom period provides consistent pollinator support from summer through late fall.
Common questions
- When does false nettle bloom?
- False nettle produces small greenish flower clusters from June through November, with timing varying somewhat by latitude and local growing conditions.
- What growing conditions does false nettle need?
- False nettle grows best in consistently moist to wet soil and tolerates full sun to fairly shaded sites, which is why it turns up in wet woods, floodplains, marsh edges and ditches.
- Is false nettle useful for a butterfly garden?
- Yes. False nettle serves as a larval host plant for Red Admiral butterflies, so leaving some foliage intact through the season supports their caterpillars.
- Does false nettle need full sun to flower well?
- No. It flowers reliably in full sun but also blooms in part sun or part shade, making it flexible for shadier wet spots in a garden or restoration planting.
- Is False Nettle toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag False Nettle as toxic to livestock.
- Is False Nettle HOA-friendly?
- False Nettle is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow False Nettle? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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