Laportea: The Woodland Wildcard You Might Want to Think Twice About
If you’ve stumbled across the name laportea in your native plant research, you’ve discovered one of those plants that sits firmly in the it’s complicated category. This herbaceous perennial has a reputation that precedes it – and not always in a good way. Let’s dive into what makes this woodland dweller both intriguing and potentially problematic for home gardeners.
What Exactly Is Laportea?
Laportea is a forb – essentially a non-woody plant that dies back to the ground each year but returns from its roots. Think of it as the herbaceous cousin in the plant world, lacking the substantial woody growth you’d see in shrubs or trees. These plants can be either annual or perennial, with most Laportea species falling into the perennial camp.
The plant produces small, rather unremarkable greenish flowers and features heart-shaped leaves with serrated edges. But here’s where things get interesting (and slightly concerning) – many Laportea species come equipped with stinging hairs, earning them the not-so-affectionate nickname related to nettles.
Where Does Laportea Call Home?
Here’s where Laportea’s story gets complicated. This plant has quite the geographic resume, showing up as native across an impressive range of locations including Canada, the Pacific Basin, Puerto Rico, St. Pierre and Miquelon, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, it’s also managed to establish itself as a non-native species in Hawaii, where it reproduces freely in the wild.
You can find Laportea growing in states from Alabama to Wisconsin, and from California to Maine. It’s also present in Canadian provinces from British Columbia to the Maritime provinces, plus various U.S. territories.
Should You Invite Laportea Into Your Garden?
This is where we need to have an honest conversation. While Laportea isn’t officially classified as invasive in our data, its ability to spread aggressively and establish itself in new territories should give any gardener pause.
The Good, The Bad, and The Stingy
Potential Benefits:
- Provides nectar for small pollinators and insects
- Thrives in challenging woodland conditions where other plants struggle
- Requires minimal care once established
- Adds texture to naturalistic garden designs
Potential Drawbacks:
- Can spread aggressively and become difficult to control
- Stinging hairs can cause skin irritation
- Not particularly ornamental or showy
- May crowd out more desirable native plants
Growing Conditions and Care
If you’re still considering Laportea despite its quirks, here’s what you need to know about keeping it happy (and hopefully contained):
Laportea typically thrives in moist, shaded woodland conditions with rich, well-draining soil. It’s generally hardy across USDA zones 3-9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates. The plant prefers the dappled light and consistent moisture you’d find in a natural forest understory.
Care is minimal – perhaps too minimal. Once established, Laportea tends to take care of itself, which unfortunately includes spreading beyond where you initially planted it.
Better Alternatives to Consider
Given Laportea’s aggressive tendencies and limited ornamental value, you might want to consider some native alternatives that provide similar benefits without the management headaches:
- Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) for shaded groundcover
- Coral bells (Heuchera species) for textural interest
- Native ferns for woodland texture
- Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) for broad-leafed woodland appeal
The Bottom Line
While Laportea has its place in the ecosystem, it’s probably not the best choice for most home gardens. Its tendency to spread aggressively, combined with its stinging properties and limited aesthetic appeal, makes it more suitable for large, naturalized areas where it can roam freely without causing problems.
If you’re determined to work with Laportea, consider it only for wild areas of your property where you won’t mind its spreading habits, and always wear gloves when handling. For most gardeners, there are simply better native options that will give you more beauty with less hassle.
