Wildlife gardener
You want common nettle, Urtica dioica, in the sun, not dead-nettle. DAMAVAND PRO is the top pick: a perennial title, 1,300 seeds, about £3.11. Surface-sow it. The care text that says 1 inch deep fights the light the seed needs.
Nettle seeds comparison 2026
The best nettle seeds, compared.
Top pick: DAMAVAND PRO Urtica dioica 1300 seeds – Highest score at 70: Urtica dioica, perennial, and 1,300 seeds agree, at about £3.11, with a stored review that plants grew. Best value: Generic Urtica dioica 1200 seeds – Lowest price for a named perennial Urtica dioica title, at about £2.85. The count fields do not agree, so the score stays at 56. Updated 21.10.2026.
Lee Burkhill (Garden Ninja)Expert source
Nettle seeds are sowing packets, not dried seed you eat and not a tincture. Most are common stinging nettle, dioica, a native perennial that spreads by rhizomes, stolons and seed. One packet is small nettle, urens, an annual that frost ends. Buyers are wildlife gardeners, allotment cooks, and people who need a patch they can contain. The decision is the Latin name, a count or weight you can compare, and a card that keeps fine seed on the surface in the light. A line that says plant an inch deep fights that. Surface sowing is set out in [how to sow nettle seeds](/hub/herb-seeds/nettle-seeds/sub/nettle-seeds-how-to-sow). This page reads listings and public UK sources. Stems are often 1–1.5 m, and up to about 2 m on rich soil. Most roots sit in the top 20 cm, and chopped pieces can regrow. Small nettle, urens, is an annual, often under 60 cm, with male and female flowers on the same plant. Frost ends it, so it does not build the same rhizome mat. Red dead-nettle, purpureum, is a mint-family annual about 20–25 cm, with pink-purple flowers and no sting. It is not a foodplant for peacock or small tortoiseshell caterpillars.
Nettle seeds are sowing packets, not dried seed you eat and not a tincture. Most are common stinging nettle, dioica, a native perennial that spreads by rhizomes, stolons and seed.
31 products checked · 47 hrs invested · +16,200 readers
9 of 9: Best nettle seeds compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 9Best overall
Best value
7.0/10
6.4/10
4.1/10
5.2/10
4.6/10
6.0/10
5.6/10
5.4/10
2.6/10
∼ £3
∼ £9
∼ £4
∼ £3
∼ £5
∼ £5
∼ £3
∼ £9
∼ £2
5.0(3)
5.0(1)
4.8(12)
4.0(11)
3.9(134)
3.7(47)
3.3(5)
1.0(1)
–
Personal buying guide
Which nettle seeds fit?
Question 1 of 2
Which plant do you want?
The best nettle seeds in detail
Our view
DAMAVAND PRO lists 1,300 seeds of Urtica dioica at £3.11, and the amazon.co.uk line is 5.0 from 3 reviews. The title calls it a native UK perennial for wildlife gardens, tea, and foraging, and the bullets say the seed is untreated and GMO free, which is not an organic certificate. One stored review says the seed was nicely packaged and the plants grew; another buyer had not yet confirmed plants, so three reviews are not a germination rate. The care text tells you to plant 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart, which fights the surface-sowing line on the Buy4seeds cards in this set, and the height field prints 30 cm. Sun is full sun in one attribute and shaded or semi-shaded in the bullets. In this comparison it is the top pick on a score of 70 because the species, the perennial line, and the seed count agree, and the price sits in the entry band, though you should leave the seed in the light rather than follow that inch-deep line. Rank reads 27,155 in Garden and 96 in Herb Seeds.
Pros
- Urtica dioica, perennial on the listing, 1,300 seeds at £3.11
- Untreated seed stated; GMO free is not an organic certificate
- A stored review says the plants grew
- Herb-seed rank in this comparison is 96
Cons
- Only 3 reviews, and one buyer had not confirmed growth
- Care text says plant 1 inch deep
- Sun lines disagree: full sun, and also shade or semi-shade
- Listed height is 30 cm
Best for: You want a named common-nettle packet at an entry price and you will surface-sow despite the care text.
Less suitable: You need a printed do-not-bury line on the card, or you want small nettle or red dead-nettle.
Specifications
- Model
- DAMAVAND PRO Urtica dioica 1300 seeds
- Brand
- DAMAVAND PRO
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(3)
- Species
- Urtica dioica
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Stings
- Yes
- Quantity
- 1300 seeds
- Organic
- No
- Sowing
- Direct sow; 1 inch deep
- Height
- 30 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The listing names Urtica dioica and calls it a perennial. That is common stinging nettle, not small nettle and not red dead-nettle.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The listing states 1,300 seeds at £3.11 on amazon.co.uk. GMO free on the bullets is not an organic certificate.
What sowing note is on the listing?
It says sow directly outdoors or in trays. The care text also says plant 1 inch deep and 6 inches apart. Leave the seed in the light rather than follow that inch.
Our view
Buy4seeds lists 800 seeds of Urtica dioica at £8.99, with 5.0 from 1 review and no review text on the listing. The card is the clearest sowing note in this set: March to June, surface sow, do not bury, 21 °C, full sun to partial shade, and nitrogen-rich moist soil that drains. It also states a perennial, a 70 cm height, and green flowers from late spring to late summer. The title calls it an insecticide herb, and a listing question about wildlife has no answer in the extract. At £8.99 you pay the top shelf price here for fewer stated seeds than the £3.11 DAMAVAND PRO packet, and one star with no words is not a germination record. The score is 64 because the label matches a perennial common nettle you can surface-sow, while the review line does not show what arrived. Rank reads 202,087 in Garden and 718 in Herb Seeds.
Pros
- Urtica dioica, perennial, 800 seeds
- Says surface sow and do not bury, March to June, at 21 °C
- Full sun to partial shade, 70 cm, moist soil that drains
- The sowing block matches the 1,200-seed Buy4seeds listing
Cons
- £8.99 with 5.0 from 1 review and no written review
- Fewer stated seeds than cheaper common-nettle packets
- Organic is not stated
- The wildlife question on the listing is unanswered
Best for: You want the surface-sow wording printed on the packet and you accept a single star with no text.
Less suitable: You want a written UK review, or you are choosing mainly on price.
Specifications
- Model
- Buy4seeds Urtica dioica 800 seeds
- Brand
- Buy4seeds
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(1)
- Species
- Urtica dioica
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Stings
- Yes
- Quantity
- 800 seeds
- Organic
- No
- Sowing
- Surface sow, do not bury
- Height
- 70 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The listing names Urtica dioica and perennial. The title also calls it a stinging nettle and an insecticide herb. That insecticide line is a claim on the page, not a method tested here.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The listing states 800 seeds at £8.99 on amazon.co.uk. That is fewer stated seeds than the cheaper DAMAVAND PRO and generic common-nettle packets.
What sowing note is on the listing?
March to June, surface sow, do not bury, at 21 °C. Sun is full sun to partial shade, on nitrogen-rich moist soil that drains.
Our view
SemiSauvage lists 1,000 wild nettle seeds at £4.03, with 4.8 from 12 reviews, and the extracted title does not give a Latin name, a life cycle, or a sowing line. Bullets say the seed is non-hybrid, reproducible, and free from chemical treatment, and that the seller is near the Auvergne volcanoes. Written reviews in the extract are from Spain and France: matching the promise, good quality, received in good condition, and one report of very good growth. There is no UK germination comment in the extract, and listing questions about pots and full sun have no answer. The product-type field reads Légumes. The score is 41 because the star line is high for a thin write-up that does not name the species, and you cannot tell common nettle from small nettle on the title. Rank reads 138,294 in Garden and 517 in Herb Seeds.
Pros
- 1,000 seeds stated at £4.03
- Non-hybrid seed, stated free from chemical treatment
- 4.8 from 12 reviews, with one growth comment in the extract
Cons
- No Latin name, life cycle, or sowing line on the extracted title
- Written reviews in the extract are from Spain and France
- Pot and full-sun questions are unanswered
- You cannot tell Urtica dioica from Urtica urens
Best for: You already know which nettle you are growing and you only need an untreated wild-nettle count.
Less suitable: You need the species on the packet, or a review written from the UK.
Specifications
- Model
- SemiSauvage wild nettle 1000 seeds
- Brand
- SemiSauvage
- Price
- ∼£4
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(12)
- Species
- Nettle, no Latin
- Life cycle
- Not stated
- Stings
- Not stated
- Quantity
- 1000 seeds
- Organic
- No
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The title says wild nettle and does not print a Latin name. You cannot tell Urtica dioica from Urtica urens on that title. Life cycle is not stated.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The listing states 1,000 seeds at £4.03 on amazon.co.uk. Bullets say the seed is non-hybrid and free from chemical treatment. That is not an organic certificate.
Where are the written reviews from?
The written reviews in the extract are from Spain and France. There is no UK germination comment in that extract. The star line is still the amazon.co.uk figure, 4.8 from 12.
Our view
Just Seed lists red dead-nettle, Lamium purpureum, as 100 seeds at £3.40, with 4.0 from 11 reviews. That is a mint-family plant, not Urtica, and the listing does not say it stings. The listing says the packets carry growing information, Defra registered 7291, and organic registration AP23164, which are numbers printed on the listing and not a register check in this comparison. Stored praise says the seeds were good, plants grew, the price was fair, and a tortoise ate the plants; one buyer got nothing after four indoor and outdoor attempts. The height field is 22 cm, moisture says moderate watering, and the colour field is red. The score is 52 because the packet is an honest dead-nettle listing with a small review sample, and it is not a substitute for the stinging species peacock and small tortoiseshell caterpillars use. Rank reads 97,604 in Garden and 1,515 in Outdoor Flowers.
Pros
- Honest Latin name: Lamium purpureum, 100 seeds, at £3.40
- 4.0 from 11 reviews, with several reports that plants grew
- Listing prints Defra registration 7291 and organic registration AP23164
- Height field 22 cm, which fits a short dead-nettle
Cons
- Not a stinging nettle and not a caterpillar foodplant for peacock or small tortoiseshell
- One buyer reported no plants after four attempts
- Growing-information text is not in the listing extract
- The registration numbers are listing text, not a check made here
Best for: You want red dead-nettle as a short bee flower and you already know it does not sting.
Less suitable: You want Urtica dioica for a wildlife patch or for leaves you can treat as nettle.
Specifications
- Model
- Just Seed red dead-nettle 100 seeds
- Brand
- Just Seed
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(11)
- Species
- Lamium purpureum
- Life cycle
- Not stated
- Stings
- No
- Quantity
- 100 seeds
- Organic
- Yes
- Sowing
- Growing notes named only
- Height
- 22 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The listing names Lamium purpureum, red dead-nettle, as 100 seeds. It is a mint-family plant. It does not sting, and it is not Urtica.
Is it organic?
The material feature says organic, and the listing prints organic registration AP23164 and Defra registration 7291. Those numbers are listing text, not a register check made here.
Will peacock caterpillars eat it?
No. Red dead-nettle is not a foodplant for peacock or small tortoiseshell caterpillars. Those caterpillars use stinging nettle.
Our view
SAFLAX lists organic nettle as 2,000 seeds of Urtica dioica at £4.55, and the amazon.co.uk line is 3.9 from 134 reviews, the largest sample in this set. The title says organic and the material field says organic; the card also calls the plant an annual, which is the wrong life cycle for common nettle. Stored praise includes a UK reviewer who reported no problems, germination for some buyers including the following year, a resent parcel, and a comment that the quantity looked good. The criticism repeats: nothing germinated, very slow or low germination, a seed count said to be far below 2,000, paperwork in Chinese, and instructions followed with still no plants. Potting instructions are mentioned, but the full text is not in the extract, and the height field is 60 cm. The score is 46 because the review sample is real and the species is named, while the annual line and the empty-tray theme keep it off the top of this set. Rank reads 298,188 in Garden and 6,827 in Vegetable Seeds.
Pros
- Urtica dioica named, 2,000 seeds stated, £4.55
- Organic is on the title and in the material field
- Largest review sample here: 3.9 from 134
- Some buyers reported germination, including the following year
Cons
- The listing calls Urtica dioica an annual
- Repeated reports that nothing germinated
- Buyers dispute the 2,000 count
- Potting text is not in the listing extract
Best for: You want the organic wording on a named common-nettle title and you will read the 134-review sample before you rely on the count.
Less suitable: You want a perennial line on the card, or a packet whose reviews are not dominated by empty trays.
Specifications
- Model
- SAFLAX organic Urtica dioica 2000 seeds
- Brand
- SAFLAX
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 3.9/5(134)
- Species
- Urtica dioica
- Life cycle
- Annual
- Stings
- Not stated
- Quantity
- 2000 seeds
- Organic
- Yes
- Sowing
- Instructions named only
- Height
- 60 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The title names Urtica dioica and says organic. The same card calls the plant an annual. Common nettle is a perennial, so that annual line is a listing error, not the botany.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The listing states 2,000 seeds at £4.55. Buyers dispute that count. A printed 2,000 is not 2,000 plants, and 3.9 from 134 reviews includes many empty-tray reports.
What sowing note is on the listing?
Detailed potting instructions are named on the card. The full text is not in the listing extract. The height field is 60 cm.
Our view
SAFLAX dog nettle is 150 seeds of Urtica urens at £4.55, with 3.7 from 47 reviews. The listing calls it an annual, smaller and more tender than Urtica dioica, and says it stings more, with both a 10 to 60 cm range and a 60 cm height field. Potting instructions are stated, though the full text is not in the extract, and the material field says natural rather than organic. Praise in the comparison includes prompt arrival, a UK buyer who said the seed looked fine but had not sown it, a recommendation, and a fast padded envelope with a clear French instruction sheet. Several buyers reported that none of the 150 seeds grew, called the quality miserable, or said culture was harder than for wild nettles. The score is 60 because the species and the annual line match small nettle, and the review sample is large enough to show the misses, so this is a species choice rather than a safer tray than the common-nettle rows. Rank reads 312,135 in Garden and 1,044 in Herb Seeds.
Pros
- Names Urtica urens, 150 seeds, at £4.55
- Listing life cycle is annual, which matches small nettle
- 47 reviews, enough to show both praise and failed trays
- Potting instructions are mentioned on the card
Cons
- Several buyers reported no germination from the 150 seeds
- The full instruction text is not in the listing extract
- Stings more is the listing’s wording, not a measured comparison
- Material says natural, not organic
Best for: You want an annual stinging nettle that frost can end, and you accept a mixed 47-review sample.
Less suitable: You want a perennial wildlife patch, or a packet whose buyers mostly report seedlings.
Specifications
- Model
- SAFLAX Urtica urens 150 seeds
- Brand
- SAFLAX
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 3.7/5(47)
- Species
- Urtica urens
- Life cycle
- Annual
- Stings
- Yes
- Quantity
- 150 seeds
- Organic
- No
- Sowing
- Instructions named only
- Height
- 10–60 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The listing names Urtica urens, dog nettle, and calls it an annual. That matches small nettle. It is not Urtica dioica.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The listing states 150 seeds at £4.55 on amazon.co.uk. The material field says natural, not organic.
Does the listing say it stings more than common nettle?
Yes. That wording is on the listing. It is not a measured comparison, and several buyers reported that none of the 150 seeds grew.
Our view
This generic listing, with Nika seeds in the manufacturer field, is the cheapest named Urtica dioica packet in this comparison at £2.85, and the title says 1,200 seeds and perennial. The same page prints a unit count of 120 and a number of items of 300, so you cannot tell which figure is in the bag. The stored reviews include two short praise lines, on time and a great price, and one criticism that a buyer got 2 plants from the packet, against 3.3 from 5 reviews. The listing says there are no sowing instructions, and questions about full sun and indoor growing have no answer in the listing extract. Seed is described as a labelled ziplock, the height field is 70 cm, and the uses named on the page run from culinary to dye, which is a claim list rather than a method. It is the best value pick on a score of 56 because £2.85 is the low price for a perennial common-nettle title, though the count clash and the two-plant report are why it is not the top pick. Rank reads 66,159 in Garden and 1,847 in Flower Seeds.
Pros
- Lowest price in this set for a Urtica dioica perennial title, £2.85
- Height field 70 cm, stinging nettle named
- 3.3 from 5 reviews, with price and delivery praised
Cons
- Title says 1,200 seeds, unit count says 120, items field says 300
- The listing says there are no sowing instructions
- One buyer reported 2 plants from the packet
Best for: You want the lowest shelf price for a named perennial common nettle and you can sow without a printed card.
Less suitable: You need one agreed seed count, or sowing steps on the listing.
Specifications
- Model
- Generic Urtica dioica 1200 seeds
- Brand
- Generic
- Price
- ∼£3
- Customer rating
- 3.3/5(5)
- Species
- Urtica dioica
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Stings
- Yes
- Quantity
- 1200, 120 or 300
- Organic
- No
- Sowing
- No instructions
- Height
- 70 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The title names Urtica dioica and perennial. The manufacturer field says Nika seeds. The brand line on the page is generic.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The title says 1,200 seeds at £2.85. The same listing also prints a unit count of 120 and a number of items of 300. Those three figures do not agree.
What sowing note is on the listing?
The listing says there are no sowing instructions. Questions about full sun and indoor growing have no answer in the extract.
Our view
Buy4seeds’ 1,200-seed Urtica dioica packet is also £8.99, and this capture uses the same image URL as the 800-seed listing. The sowing block matches that sibling: March to June, surface sow, do not bury, 21 °C, full sun to partial shade, 70 cm, and nitrogen-rich soil that drains. The star line is 1.0 from 1 review, with no text, so you cannot read why that mark was left. Organic is not stated, and a wildlife question on the listing has no answer in the extract. You pay the same £8.99 for a higher claimed count and a worse star, without a written reason. The score is 54 after a deduction for the shared image and that unexplained 1.0. Rank reads 360,577 in Garden and 1,216 in Herb Seeds.
Pros
- Urtica dioica, perennial, 1,200 seeds stated
- Surface sow, do not bury, March to June, 21 °C
- Full sun to partial shade and a 70 cm height field
Cons
- £8.99 with 1.0 from 1 review and no review text
- Same image URL as the 800-seed Buy4seeds listing
- Organic is not stated
- Weaker garden rank than the 800-seed sibling in this capture
Best for: You want the same surface-sow card as the 800-seed listing and a higher claimed count, and you can live with a single 1.0 and no words.
Less suitable: You want a review you can read, or a price under £5.
Specifications
- Model
- Buy4seeds Urtica dioica 1200 seeds
- Brand
- Buy4seeds
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 1.0/5(1)
- Species
- Urtica dioica
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Stings
- Yes
- Quantity
- 1200 seeds
- Organic
- No
- Sowing
- Surface sow, do not bury
- Height
- 70 cm
Common questions
How does this differ from the 800-seed Buy4seeds packet?
Both are Urtica dioica, perennial, at £8.99, with the same surface-sow block. This title says 1,200 seeds. The star line is 1.0 from 1 review, with no text, and the image URL matches the 800-seed listing.
What sowing note is on the listing?
March to June, surface sow, do not bury, at 21 °C. Sun is full sun to partial shade. The height field is 70 cm.
Is organic stated?
No. Organic is not on this listing. One star with no written review is not a germination record.
Our view
La Lettre S sells Urtica dioica as 0.3 g of green manure at £1.80, and the listing has no customer-review line. The title says dioecious and stinging nettle, and the life-cycle field does not state perennial. Sowing text is limited to keeping the soil moist and using well-drained soil, with a listed height of 150 cm and a zip-lock bag. Bullets quote postage in euros, and the material field says organic. There is no seed count, so you cannot compare 0.3 g with the 800-seed or 1,300-seed packets on a like-for-like basis. The score is 26: it is the lowest price in the comparison and also the least documented sowing packet. No best-sellers rank is printed on the listing.
Pros
- Urtica dioica named, at £1.80 for 0.3 g
- Listed height 150 cm, closer to a mature common nettle than a 30 cm field
- Material field says organic
Cons
- No customer-review line on the listing
- No seed count, only 0.3 g
- Postage bullets are quoted in euros
- Sowing text is only moisture and drainage, and perennial is not stated
Best for: You want a weighed Urtica dioica lot sold as green manure and you do not need reviews or a seed count.
Less suitable: You want to compare packets by seed number, or you need a UK review and a surface-sow line.
Specifications
- Model
- La Lettre S Urtica dioica 0.3 g
- Brand
- La Lettre S Shop
- Price
- ∼£2
- Species
- Urtica dioica
- Life cycle
- Not stated
- Stings
- Yes
- Quantity
- 0.3 g
- Organic
- Yes
- Sowing
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Height
- 150 cm
Common questions
Which plant is in this packet?
The listing names Urtica dioica and stinging nettle, and the title says dioecious. Perennial is not stated. It is sold as green manure.
How many seeds are stated, and what does it cost?
The listing states 0.3 g at £1.80. There is no seed count, so you cannot line it up with an 800-seed or a 1,300-seed packet. There is no customer-review line.
What sowing note is on the listing?
Keep the soil moist and use well-drained soil. That is the sowing text. The height field is 150 cm. Postage bullets on the page are quoted in euros.
How we compared
Scores are out of 100 for the nine amazon.co.uk listings on this page. They use the species and life cycle, the sowing line, whether the count is consistent, the review sample, and the GBP shelf price. This is not a germination trial and not a lab test. Weights sum to 100. The highest score is the top pick. Best value is a different listing: the lowest price for a named perennial Urtica dioica title, even though that score is not second.
1
Species and life cycle
25%Urtica dioica stated as perennial scores highest. Urtica urens stated as annual is next. A dioica card that says annual, or a title with no Latin name, scores lower. An honest red dead-nettle still scores, because the species is clear.
2
Sowing line
18%Surface sow or do not bury scores highest. Instructions that are named, without the full text in the extract, sit in the middle. A depth of 1 inch, or no instructions beyond moisture, scores lower.
3
Quantity
12%One seed count scores highest. A weight with no count, or count fields that disagree on the same page, score lower. A printed count is not a count of plants.
4
Review sample
25%Stars and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures. A repeated empty-tray theme lowers the block. One star with no text, or no review line, scores low. A star average is not a germination percentage.
5
Price band
20%Named Urtica with one count under £3.50 scores highest in this block. A conflicting count under £3.50 is lower. The £8.99 packets sit at the low end of the price block. Prices are shelf prices, not a market average.
Independent review
Last updated: 21.10.2026
8 sources checked
Nettle seeds buying guide
Read the Latin name and the life cycle before the seed count. A high number is not a germination rate, and a card that calls common nettle an annual is a listing error. A different sowing comparison in this hub is [lupine seeds](/hub/herb-seeds/lupine-seeds).
What are nettle seeds?
Nettle seeds in this comparison are packets you sow. They are not dried culinary seed, and they are not a tincture. Common stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, is a native perennial. The RHS lists hardiness H7. Plants are usually dioecious. Stems are often 1–1.5 m, and up to about 2 m on rich soil. The plant spreads by rhizomes, stolons and seed. The RHS spread is 2.5–4 m. Most roots sit in the top 20 cm, and chopped pieces can regrow.
Best for
- A wildlife patch of common nettle you can keep in the sun and contain
- An annual small nettle where frost should end the plant
Not ideal for
- Anyone who wants red dead-nettle to feed peacock or small tortoiseshell caterpillars
- A packet sold as a cure, or a food bag of dried seed you meant to sow
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Burying fine seed
A line that says plant an inch deep fights the usual light requirement. Buy4seeds says surface sow and do not bury. If the card gives no depth, do not invent one. Garden Organic says seed germinates readily on bare soil in full sun.
- 2
Trusting an annual line on Urtica dioica
Common nettle is a perennial. The SAFLAX organic listing names Urtica dioica and calls it an annual. That is a listing error. SAFLAX dog nettle names Urtica urens and annual, which does match small nettle.
- 3
Treating a high count as quality
The loud theme on the SAFLAX organic listing, 3.9 from 134 reviews, is failed or very late germination and doubt about the 2,000 count. A printed count is not a plant count. Culinary drops, a food bag, and nettle-leaved bellflower are different products.
What to weigh up
Species and life cycle
HighSpecies is the first decision. Urtica dioica is the lasting wildlife or kitchen patch: a native perennial that spreads by rhizomes, stolons and seed. Urtica urens is the annual if you want frost to end the plant and you do not want a rhizome mat. Lamium purpureum belongs on the card only if you want a non-stinging bee flower about 20–25 cm tall. The life cycle has to match the plant. Urtica dioica is perennial. The SAFLAX organic listing names Urtica dioica and calls it an annual.
Sowing line and quantity
HighFine nettle seed needs light. A card that says surface-sow or do not bury matches that. Buy4seeds prints March to June, surface sow, do not bury, and 21 °C, on both the 800-seed and the 1,200-seed listings. DAMAVAND PRO says sow outdoors or in trays, then the care text says plant 1 inch deep. That depth fights the surface-sowing line, so leave the seed in the light. The generic perennial title at £2.85 says there are no sowing instructions.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Allotment cook
You want leaves or a liquid feed, and you should expect little flower in the first year. The generic perennial title is best value at about £2.85 if you can sow without a printed card. The count on that page does not agree with itself.
Small garden with children or dogs
A tub on a hard surface is safer than a border, because common nettle spreads by rhizomes. SAFLAX dog nettle is Urtica urens, an annual frost can end, at about £4.55. Wear gloves. It is not the non-stinging dead-nettle.
Common questions about nettle seeds
Which nettle seeds are the top pick?
The top pick is DAMAVAND PRO, 1,300 seeds of Urtica dioica at about £3.11 on amazon.co.uk. It scores 70, the highest of the nine listings, because the species, the perennial line and the seed count agree, and a stored review says the plants grew. There are only three reviews, and the care text says plant 1 inch deep, which fights surface sowing. Best value is a different packet: the generic perennial title at about £2.85, where the title, the unit count and the items field do not agree.
How much do nettle seeds cost on amazon.co.uk?
On these nine listings the shelf price runs from £1.80 to £8.99. Entry is La Lettre S at £1.80 for 0.3 g, the generic title at £2.85, and DAMAVAND PRO at £3.11. Mid is Just Seed red dead-nettle at £3.40, SemiSauvage at £4.03, and both SAFLAX packets at £4.55. The two Buy4seeds listings are £8.99. These are the prices printed on those pages, not a market average, and they can move. A higher price here is not a documented germination rate.
What should you check before you buy nettle seeds?
Check the Latin name first. Urtica dioica is the perennial for a lasting patch. Urtica urens is the annual. Lamium purpureum is red dead-nettle and does not sting. Then check the life cycle, because a card that calls Urtica dioica an annual is a listing error. Look for one seed count or a weight, and for the words surface sow or do not bury. GMO free and natural are not an organic certificate. Read the review theme after the label. A large printed count is not a count of plants.
Should you bury nettle seeds?
No. Fine nettle seed is usually left on the surface in the light. Buy4seeds prints March to June, surface sow, do not bury, and 21 °C. DAMAVAND PRO also says sow outdoors or in trays, then a care line says plant 1 inch deep. Follow the light requirement, not that inch. Garden Organic says seed germinates readily on bare soil in full sun and more slowly under closed cover. The generic listing says it has no sowing instructions, so do not invent a depth for it.
Does red dead-nettle feed peacock caterpillars?
No. Red dead-nettle, Lamium purpureum, is a mint-family annual with no sting. It is not a foodplant for peacock or small tortoiseshell caterpillars. Those caterpillars, with red admiral and comma, use stinging nettle. Urtica dioica is the main plant. Urtica urens is used by some of those butterflies, but it is not the main foodplant. Just Seed’s packet is an honest dead-nettle listing, not a substitute. Sunny containment is covered in nettle seeds for butterflies.
Is stinging nettle a banned invasive plant in Britain?
BSBI and the RHS treat Urtica dioica as native to Britain and Ireland, and as Least Concern. This comparison did not find it on the non-native Schedule 9 planting list, so it is not described here as a banned invasive. Sowing in your own bed is not permission to dump seed in the countryside. Garden Organic says do not lift plants from the wild. GOV.UK’s plant-passport seed list does not name Urtica. It still spreads by rhizomes, so put it where you can contain it.
Do nettle plants flower in the first year?
Garden Organic says common nettle does not flower in the first year, so do not expect seed from a new patch in year one. Cutting in flower stops viable seed if you want to limit spread. Call 999 if a sting affects breathing or the mouth and throat. NHS advice is to wash, cool the skin, and skip bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. Get help if a dog or a young child is badly affected. The RHS says dogs can be harmed by nettle. This page recommends no weedkiller.
Our verdict
The top pick is DAMAVAND PRO, 1,300 seeds of Urtica dioica at about £3.11. It scores 70, the highest here, because the species, the perennial line and the count agree, and a stored review says the plants grew. The care text still says plant 1 inch deep, so leave the seed in the light. Best value is a different product: the generic perennial Urtica dioica title at about £2.85, the lowest price for that plant in this set. Its title says 1,200 seeds, the unit count says 120, and the items field says 300, which is why the score stays at 56. Skip DAMAVAND PRO if you need the words do not bury printed on the card. Skip the generic packet if you need one agreed seed count.
Best overallView offer
DAMAVAND PRO Urtica dioica 1300 seeds
Highest score at 70: Urtica dioica, perennial, and 1,300 seeds agree, at about £3.11, with a stored review that plants grew.
Best value
View offer
Generic Urtica dioica 1200 seeds
Lowest price for a named perennial Urtica dioica title, at about £2.85. The count fields do not agree, so the score stays at 56.
Editorial
Editor
Herb seedsamazon.co.uk listingsUK garden sources
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: 21.10.2026
8 sources checked
Guides to nettle seeds
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Nettle seeds buying guideLatin name, life cycle, count, surface-sow line, organic wording and price, as a label test.Best nettle seedsWhich kept amazon.co.uk packet fits which job, and who should skip it.How to sow nettle seedsSurface sow, moisture, light, and when to resow, without a brand ranking.Nettle seeds for butterfliesSunny patch, the species that eat nettle, and leaving leaves that hold eggs.Common nettle or small nettlePerennial Urtica dioica against annual Urtica urens.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources named below. amazon.co.uk prices, stars and review counts are the figures on these nine listings. Page updated 21 October 2026.
- RHS Urtica dioica profile (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- RHS stinging nettles (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- BSBI Urtica dioica (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Butterfly Conservation peacock (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Butterfly Conservation, sunny tubs and containment (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- Garden Organic common nettle (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- GOV.UK plant-passport seed list (retrieved 21 October 2026)
- NHS insect bites and stings (retrieved 21 October 2026)
Expert source (DIY & tools): Lee Burkhill (Garden Ninja) (external profile) – public expert commentary used as a research source, not as a contributor to our pages.
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk (tag pcuk26-21). If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are taken from those listings. We did not run a lab test.