About This Plant
Boehmeria cylindrica, known as False Nettle, is a quietly elegant native perennial that thrives in moist meadows, woodland edges, and stream banks. From mid to late summer, this unassuming yet ecologically valuable plant produces small, greenish flowers in slender, elongated clusters along its stems. While its blooms may not be showy, they provide an essential resource for pollinators, particularly specialized bees and butterflies.
Boehmeria cylindrica grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet and thrives in rich, moist soils, preferring partial to full shade. It can also tolerate various conditions, including occasional standing water and moderate drought. Its soft, serrated leaves resemble true nettles but lack stinging hairs, making it a safe and inviting plant for gardeners and wildlife.
Beyond its subtle beauty, False Nettle is critical in supporting native ecosystems. It is a host plant for several butterfly species, including the Red Admiral and Eastern Comma. At the same time, its foliage provides shelter for beneficial insects. Its adaptability and non-aggressive growth habit make it valuable for restoring wetland habitats, stabilizing stream banks, or enhancing shaded pollinator gardens.
A low-maintenance and deer-resistant species, Boehmeria cylindrica, blends seamlessly into naturalized plantings, adding quiet structure and ecological function to diverse landscapes. Whether paired with ferns and shade-loving wildflowers or allowed to form soft drifts in rain gardens, False Nettle offers understated charm while enriching the habitat for native fauna.