Red Hempnettle: Understanding This European Annual in North American Gardens
If you’ve spotted a small, pink-flowered plant with square stems popping up in disturbed areas around your garden, you might be looking at red hempnettle (Galeopsis ladanum var. latifolia). This little annual belongs to the mint family and has quietly made itself at home in parts of North America, though it’s far from being a garden showstopper.
What Exactly is Red Hempnettle?
Red hempnettle is a non-native annual forb that originally hails from Europe and Asia. As a member of the mint family, it shares the characteristic square stems that make mints so recognizable. This particular variety is what botanists call a forb – essentially a soft-stemmed plant without woody tissue that dies back each year and regrows from seed.
The plant has established itself as a naturalized species in several northeastern states and provinces, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Quebec. It reproduces on its own without human help and tends to persist in these areas, though it’s considered more of a casual visitor in places like St. Pierre and Miquelon.
Should You Grow Red Hempnettle?
Here’s the honest truth: red hempnettle isn’t typically grown intentionally in gardens. While it’s not considered invasive or harmful, it’s more of a volunteer plant that shows up on its own rather than something you’d seek out at a nursery. Its small pink to purple flowers provide modest visual interest, but there are much better options if you’re looking for pollinator-friendly plants.
Garden Role and Landscape Value
Red hempnettle tends to appear in:
- Disturbed soil areas
- Waste ground and vacant lots
- Roadsides and path edges
- Areas with poor or compacted soil
While its small flowers may attract some tiny pollinators, the plant’s overall contribution to garden ecosystems is minimal compared to native alternatives.
Growing Conditions and Care
If red hempnettle does appear in your garden, it’s quite undemanding:
- Thrives in disturbed, poor soils
- Tolerates various light conditions
- Self-seeds readily for the following year
- Requires little to no care once established
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of encouraging red hempnettle, consider these native options that provide superior benefits for pollinators and local ecosystems:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – another mint family member with showy flowers
- New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) – excellent for late-season pollinators
- Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – beloved by bees and butterflies
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – perfect for partially shaded areas
The Bottom Line
Red hempnettle is one of those plants that exists quietly in the background of North American landscapes. While it’s not causing ecological harm, it’s also not adding much value to your garden. If you discover it growing in disturbed areas of your property, you can leave it be without worry, but there’s no compelling reason to actively cultivate it. Your garden – and local wildlife – will benefit much more from native plant choices that have co-evolved with your local ecosystem.
Remember, every planting decision is an opportunity to support native biodiversity. While red hempnettle won’t hurt anything, choosing native alternatives will create a more vibrant and ecologically valuable garden space.
