Smallspike false nettle
Boehmeria cylindrica · Urticaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant smallspike false nettle: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Summer to autumn
- Adult size
- 60 to 90 cm tall
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (down to -10 °C approximately)
- Origin
- North America
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter
Care
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the growing period. In summer, water regularly, especially in dry weather. Reduce watering in autumn and winter when the plant goes dormant.
Light Exposure
Place your cylindrica bohmeria in partial shade or under indirect light. It tolerates semi-shade and appreciates protection from direct afternoon rays in very hot regions.
Soil
Prepare a fertile substrate, rich in humus and well-drained. Adding compost or leaf mold improves water retention without causing waterlogging. Avoid overly compact or chalky soils.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring when growth resumes. A second light application in summer supports growth. Favour organic formulas for slow, steady nutrition.
Pruning and Cleanup
Cut back dry or damaged stems in early spring before regrowth begins. Light cutting back stimulates branching and maintains a dense shape. Remove dead leaves as they appear.
Pests and Diseases
Watch for spider mites and aphids, particularly in dry environments. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases. Treat promptly at the first sign of infestation with natural solutions.
Did you know?
Cylindrica bohmeria is a close relative of ramie, an ancestral textile fibre from Asia. Though less commercially exploited, this plant shares with its nettle family cousins a remarkable ability to regenerate its fibres after each cutting—a property that has fascinated botanists since the nineteenth century.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese money plantPilea peperomioides
- Stinging nettleUrtica dioica
- Annual nettleUrtica urens
- Slender nettleUrtica gracilis
- Baby tearsSoleirolia soleirolii
- RockweedPilea microphylla
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.