Stachys tenuifolia, or Smooth Hedge-nettle, is an herbaceous perennial flowering herb in the mint family. The root system consists of a taproot and rhizomes. This plant often forms vegetative colonies, like many other members of the Mint family. The plant prefers partial sun and moist conditions, but also tolerates light shade and full sun. The soil should contain sufficient organic material to retain moisture. If this plant dries out, the leaves have a tendency to turn yellow or brown, and the entire plant may die. It is typically found in low woods, and shores. The plant produces seeds, but often reproduces by means of rhizomes and tubers. Small segments of rhizome can sprout into new plants or the tuber may be transported to a new area. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: There are no known problems affecting this plant.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are up to 3½ inches long and 1 inch across. The petioles of the lower leaves are about ¼ inch or slightly longer, while the upper leaves have shorter petioles or are sessile. Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves are hairless or nearly so – if hairs are present, they are most likely to occur along the lower mid-vein of the leaves.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Lipped; Tubular
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
The central stem terminates in a inflorescence that has whorls of flowers at intervals along its length. This inflorescence can vary from 2 to 8 inches in length. The tubular corolla of each flower is about 1/3 inch long and divided into 2 lips. The hairy upper lip functions as a protective hood, while the lower lip is divided into 3 lobes (a central lobe and two smaller side lobes), which functions as a landing pad for visiting insects. The flowers are light pink or white, often with rosy pink splotches within the throat. The green calyx is hairless and at least half as long as the tube of the corolla (not including the lips). It is divided into 5 triangular segments that curl outward as the ovaries mature. The blooming period occurs during the summer and lasts about 1-2 months.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Nut
Fruit detail
Each flower is replaced by 4 black nutlets that are oblong in shape.
Stem detail
The central stem is square, usually with scattered hairs along the ridges, but not the sides.