Lamium album aka White Dead Nettle

Taxonomy

Lamium album, also known as white nettle or white dead-nettle, is a flowering plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. This perennial species is native to Europe and Asia and can be found in various habitats, ranging from open grasslands to woodlands, especially in moist and fertile soils. Characterized by its downy nature, Lamium album spreads through rhizomatous stolons. Its stems are square-shaped, accompanied by pairs of toothed, stalked, and slightly heart-shaped leaves. From March to late autumn, the plant produces white flowers in whorls within the leaf axils. These flowers have hairy upper hoods and toothed lower lips, serving as a nectar source for insects with long tongues, such as bumble bees and mason bees. Growing up to 0.60 meters in height, Lamium album is a perennial plant. It is harvested from the wild for local use, serving purposes such as food, medicine, and as a source of materials.

Common names

White Dead Nettle, White Nettle, Blind Nettle

How to care for White Dead Nettle

Difficulty

Caring for White Dead Nettle is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

White Dead Nettle should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

White Dead Nettle loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

White Dead Nettle requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your White Nettle is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for White Dead Nettle to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.

Fertilizer

The White Dead Nettle is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

Region of origin

White Dead Nettle’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, the Himalayas and Japan.


More info:
Wikipedia