Common Hemp-Nettle

(Galeopsis tetrahit)

Common Hemp-Nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit)

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Climate Requirements

Precipitation 24" - 46"
High Temp. 67°F - 76°F
Low Temp. 24°F - 34°F

Summary

Galeopsis tetrahit, commonly known as Common Hemp-Nettle, is an annual herb native to a variety of habitats in Europe and northwestern Asia, including fields, open woodlands, and along streams and rivers. It typically grows 8 to 28 inches tall and is characterized by its square stems with swollen nodes and hairy, rhombic to elliptic leaves. The plant produces small, tubular flowers that are pink to purple in color, blooming from mid-summer to early fall. The flowers are modest in appearance but can add a splash of color to the landscape.

Common Hemp-Nettle is valued for its adaptability to disturbed sites, making it a potential choice for urban gardens or restoration projects. It is also used in traditional medicine for its purported anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. In cultivation, it prefers full sun to partial shade and can tolerate a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained. While it is not particularly drought-tolerant, it does not require excessive watering once established. However, gardeners should be cautious as Galeopsis tetrahit can become invasive outside its native range, spreading rapidly in suitable conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 1.5-3 feet
  • Width: 1-2 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: Pink
  • Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
  • Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
  • Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance

Natural Habitat

Native to a variety of habitats in Europe and northwestern Asia, including fields, open woodlands, and along streams and rivers

Other Names

Common Names: Hemp Nettle, Common Hemp-nettle

Scientific Names: Galeopsis tetrahit, Galeopsis alpicola, Galeopsis alpicola, Galeopsis beckii, Galeopsis crenatifolia, Galeopsis gacognei, Galeopsis gacognei, Galeopsis glaucocerata, Galeopsis grandiflora

GBIF Accepted Name: Galeopsis tetrahit