Indian nettle: location, care & reproduction

The perennial Indian nettle is an integral part of the repertoire of bee-friendly perennials. With us you can find out everything about choosing the variety, planting and caring for Indian nettles.

The Indian nettle (Monarda) offers not only colorful flowers and fragrant foliage but also plenty of food for bees and other insects. We present the long-lasting flowering plant and give tips on planting, caring for and using the Indian nettle.

Indian nettle: flowering, characteristics and origin

The Indian nettle belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to North America. The locals used wild Indian nettles to make the so-called Oswego tea. In addition to monarde, it is also called bee balm and horse balm or, in the case of golden balm (

Monarda didyma) called bergamot Indian nettle. With the real one Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) it is not related, but the leaves of the golden balm smell similarly citrus-like and fruity.

The perennial, bushy and partly runners-growing perennial forms many unbranched, four-edged stems with hairy, lanceolate, serrated, cross-opposite stems on the edge of the leaf Scroll. From June, depending on the variety, the long flowering time of the Indian nettle begins, which can continue into October. Many individual lip-flowers sit together as heads in dense whorls and thus form a pseudo-flower with a collar of bracts. The stature height of the Indian nettle is 40 - 150 cm, depending on the variety and type. The flowers of the Indian nettle can be colored white, pink, salmon, pink, violet or red. The long-lasting bloom attracts numerous bees and other pollinators to the colorful Indian osses in summer. After pollination, inconspicuous, small seeds, so-called Klaus fruits, are formed.

The most beautiful species and varieties

Most of the nettle varieties on offer are Monarda didyma x fistulosa hybrids. In addition, there are seldom pure types to buy, such as the golden balm (Monarda didyma), also known as the scarlet monard. Below we present the most beautiful Monarda-Species and varieties for the garden.

• ‘Beauty of Cobham‘: Variety with contrasting flowers in pale pink with dark purple-red bracts; the variety, which originated in England, is between 80 and 100 cm high.
• ‘Bee Happy‘: Indian nettle with compact growth up to 60 cm in height; The variety, which is only a few years old, not only inspires bees with its magenta-colored flowers and aromatic leaves.
• ‘Cambridge Scarlet‘: Indian nettle with a stature height of 80-100 cm and scarlet flowers; the American variety of 1913 grows less rapidly and thrives on drier soils than other varieties.

• ‘Fireball‘: Indian nettle of the species Monarda didyma with a very compact growth up to 40 cm; the bright red flowers are particularly effective in window boxes or as a group in the perennial bed.
• ‘Thundercloud‘: Flowers in bright purple, even the bracts are pink in color; the flowering time of the 100 cm high Indian nettle ‘thundercloud‘ is between July and August.
• ‘Dawn‘: Variety with salmon-red flowers and a height of up to 100 cm; blooms between July and September.
• ‘Petite Delight‘: Only about 25 - 30 cm high dwarf Indian nettle of the species Monarda didyma with pink to purple flowers; it can spread through runners.
• ‘Pink Lace‘: Indian nettle with compact growth up to 40 cm and therefore also ideal for the balcony or terrace; it forms numerous pink flowers between July and September.
• ‘Prairie night‘: Purple-violet flowers between July and September; the broad, bushy, runners-forming perennial can grow up to 130 cm high.
• ‘Snow White‘: White Indian nettles with a height of up to 100 cm; the flowering period extends from July to September.

• ‘Sugar Lace‘: Indian nettle with a height of 50 - 70 cm and numerous pink-red flowers; The reddish-green leaves of the compact variety are particularly attractive.
• ‘Balm‘ (Monarda didyma): Also known as the scarlet Indian nettle, the original form of the Monard; it is also used in folk medicine and as a tea plant.
• ‘Lemon Monard‘ (Monarda citriodora): Also known as lemon balm, which, due to its heat requirements, is usually only grown as an annual summer flower and aromatic plant; the aromatic lemon aroma of the leaves is used for teas.
• ‘Blue stocking‘: Deep purple flowers and strong growth up to 120 cm; the nonetheless stable variety blooms between August and September.

Planting Indian nettle: location and procedure

Most of the time, Indian ponds are propagated vegetatively via division and cuttings and thus offered as young perennials. However, some Indian ponds are propagated by sowing. The cultivation takes place in spring from the end of February on a light window sill or alternatively from mid-May as direct sowing outdoors. The seeds belong to the light germs, which is why they should not be covered with earth, if at all. At 15 - 20 ° C and a good water supply, the seeds germinate after one to two weeks. A nutrient-poor potting soil like ours Plantura organic herb & seed compost, supports germination and root formation. After about four to six weeks, the seedlings can be pricked out and converted into nutrient-rich soil.

tip: Snails avoid the aromatic perennials, which is why protection is not necessary.

The ideal location for Indian islands is on nutrient-rich, humus-rich soils with good water storage capacity and in a sunny to partially shaded location. It is better to plant Indian thorns in spring instead of late autumn, as the perennials are at risk of frost in the first year. Young plants should only be put outside in mid-May after the ice saints. The planting distance for Indian arrows should be at least 50 cm, and more for vigorous and bushy varieties. They are often placed in small groups of three to a maximum of five plants and go very well with them Honorary award (Veronica), Sun hat (Rudbeckia), Scabiosis (Scabiosa) or different grasses. For potting, but also for planting Indian islands in the garden, we recommend high-quality potting soil, such as ours, to improve the soil Plantura organic potting soil. The peat-free and sustainably produced plant substrate increases the water storage through its compost content and supports the soil life. For example, soil that is too heavy or sandy can be positively influenced.

tip: In order to cultivate Indian stone pots, the planter should initially hold at least 10-15 liters of soil and have good water drainage. A 5 - 10 cm high drainage layer made of sand, gravel and expanded clay prevents waterlogging and root rot. Then fill in a high-quality, nutrient-rich potting soil and place your Monarde in the pot.

Care of the Indian nettle

The main focus when caring for Indian arrows is watering and cutting. We present the most important maintenance measures and give tips on timing and execution.

Cut, fertilize and water

Most Monarde varieties are sensitive to drought, especially shortly after planting. Indian hips should therefore be watered regularly in summer.

Fertilization is only necessary in spring for new growth, because the plants feed on a dose of ripe compost or granular fertilizer all year round. We recommend using a mainly organic slow release fertilizer like ours Plantura organic flower fertilizer, which can also be used for Indian ponds in the bucket and when repotting. The resource-saving and completely animal-free fertilizer granulate ensures long-lasting flowering and healthy plants thanks to its special composition. Work the fertilizer superficially into the soil after application. Soil organisms slowly and gently release the nutrients they contain for plants and the environment.

During the flowering period, you can regularly cut off what has faded from the Indian hips. After flowering, the Indian nettle is completely cut back a hand's breadth. Indian ponds should be rejuvenated by dividing about every five years. To do this, prick off a piece of the existing root stock with a sharp spade in autumn or early spring. You can move this to a new, suitable location.

Powdery mildew on the Indian nettle: what to do?

Mostly the wrong location is to blame if the Indian nettle mildew receives. It is powdery mildew that attacks the perennials. The plants are on too dry ground or are planted too closely together so that they can only dry out poorly in dew or after rain. A change of location or thinning out shrubs that have grown too large by dividing them can counteract powdery mildew.

Is the Indian nettle hardy?

After the timely pruning in autumn, the Indian nettle is hardy to below - 30 ° C. The perennials therefore usually do not need any special winter protection, a layer of leaves is sufficient. If the Indian ponds overwinter in a pot, they should be placed in a frost-free place or well wrapped with the help of jute, coniferous branches or fleece.

Multiplication

The easiest and fastest method of propagating Indian owls is by dividing them. The existing stock is divided into not too small pieces, which are then potted or moved into a new bed and soon form an independent plant there. Some varieties can also be propagated true to the variety by sowing, including in particular the original forms of the lemon nettle and the golden balm. To do this, you don't cut them back after blooming, but let the seed heads mature. The seeds of the Indian nettle should only be collected when the seed heads have turned brown and dry. At best, separate the seed heads in the morning and let them dry in the house in a dry place for some time at room temperature. The seeds of the Indian nettle usually fall out of the seed heads by themselves and can now be packaged separately and stored in a dry, cool and dark place.

Is the Indian nettle poisonous or edible?

The Indian nettle is not poisonous, neither for humans nor for pets. Its leaves and flowers are edible fresh and dried.

Effect and use

Nettle leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried. The bergamot Indian nettle and lemon balm taste particularly aromatic. Indian nettle tea is mainly enjoyed because of its bergamot-like aroma, but it also supports digestion.

In addition to the Indian nettle, there are numerous others bee-friendly perennials. We present our top 10.