While I understand your wanting to grow the unusual. I want to remind you that stinging nettles are considered an invasive plant and once introduced are hard to take back. Not only you but your neighbors may have to live with them for the rest of their lives. Please consider again before actually putting these plants in your garden. I have attached a link to information including germination information if you are certain that you want to do this. Here is a link that might be useful: Stinging Nettle

I have two stinging nettle plants but they aren't growing hardly at all. I guess I made the mistake of planting the well rooted cuttings in 3 gallon pots instead of 1 gallons to start. The tea is very sweet. Such a joy to drink it. I made the mistake of trying to eat the leaves after I made the tea. Big mistake. Nothing like stinging tongue. Thank God it only lasted a few minutes. I hope I will have some to share next year. I don't know how to make it grow any faster in pots.

I would really like to plant some stinging nettle on my property. I used to have it on my family's property years ago and loved making soups and teas from the young leaves. Since I know it grows rampant and most people consider it a weed, I was wondering if anyone in/near Buffalo has a bunch growing on their property and wouldn't mind sparing some clippings. Thanks!

Could it be slender nettles. I don't know California plants but I think this one is widespread. Page down a bit on the link for photos of both male and female plants. The site indicates sparse hairs on this species. However, I think it is the kind that grows by me and it hurts, sparse hairs or not. Here is a link that might be useful: Slender nettles.....page down