Spotted dead nettle will grow in almost any soil type (but not wet) and any amount of shade. It does best in rich, well-mulched garden soil (keep the mulch away from the crown to avoid diseases). After flowering, shear the plants to produce a new flush of vigorous growth. In the South plants must be well watered and sheared occasionally to keep them looking tidy. Spotted dead nettle is easy to propagate; anytime you want to increase your supply, simply root stem cuttings or dig up rooted runners and replant.
Despite its rather unappealing colloquial name (it lacks the rash-producing hairs of the rather nasty stinging nettle), spotted dead nettle is a superior ground cover. It is dead easy to grow, it spreads without being invasive, and its purplish red flowers provide color all season long. Its small attractive green leaves are marked with a central band of silver-gray. There are also selections with silver-gray foliage edged in gray-green and others with showy pink, violet, or white flowers. In northern gardens, spotted dead nettle is one of the few plants that will tolerate dry shade.
ZONES: 4–10
BLOOM TIME: Late spring to summer
LIGHT: Part to full shade
HEIGHT: 12–15 inches
INTEREST: Colorful very easy-to-grow ground cover
Grow spotted dead nettle wherever you need a ground cover—under trees or shrubs, along the edge of a shady driveway, with evergreen foundation plants, or to add color in shady areas. Plant it as a delicate textural contrast under large hostas, too. Since it tolerates dry shade better than most ground covers, spotted dead nettle can be used to replace sparse lawn under trees (and reduce your mowing chores).