Catmint is often outspoken by its bigger sistercatnip , but it bid plenty to like about it .
( They ’re technically NOT the same plant ! )
People often utilize “ catnip ” and “ catnip ” interchangeably because they ’re so similar !
For starters , it ’s cervid , hare , and pest - resistant . It does n’t require water other than rain . It does n’t even need plant food .
And it ’s a blossoming perennial that ’ll offer you with bloom of youth for years . Plus , you could glean it and expend it for recipes or tea .
It ’s like the catnip made for people .
permit ’s plunge in and learn about this flowering perennial and give it the attention it deserves .
Last updated : 11/10/21 .
Guide content
Quick care guide: Catmint
What’s catmint?
Catmint , also cognize as dwarf catnip , catwort , or confused with catnip , is a lesser - known ornamental herb that has a band more uses than its popular twin , catnip .
In my opinion , you’re able to use this little gem of a plant for landscaping , plant life cover , and even herbal Camellia sinensis .
you’re able to also habituate it in a variety of culinary dishes to add some flavor . Unlike catnip , Nepeta cataria is also pretty to the eyes with its blue - royal flowers and lush light-green foliation . It ’s highly debatable , but why not be a little fleck hipster and grow the lesser - known Nepeta ?
It also has instinctive louse repelling properties and can be establish with a variety of companion plants . cervid - resistant , rabbit - proof , plus it ’s stalwart to most climates for up to 24 inches of height !
It has a dense , weedy appearing and may get mussy if you do n’t keep it bring down . It ’s hobo camp sentence ! If you do n’t wish the weedy feel there are cleaner compact variants like Fasseen ’s .
Catmint comes from Africa , Asia , and Europe and was brought to the Americas in the 1800s . It ’s been used as a culinary factor , nutrient , meds , and cat fodder . It can make cats go euphoric due to the nepetalactone inside the leaves .
It ’s a cool - weather perennial that prime with trump - shape heyday with immature / gray foliage . It smells slightly minty and similar to catnip . It blooms especially well in the springiness and other summer , followed by a abbreviated lull point in the vizor summer .
Then it ’ll resume blossom in the fall if it ’s prune back .
The blossom are white , blue , or pink . The leafage is lush green . They ’re excellent for pathing , march , or bordering . It ’s a crawl plant that rarely turn more than a few inches . But there are a few taller cultivars like the Six Hills Giant .
It ’s easy to develop as it ’s very tyro - friendly . It ’s very low criminal maintenance and requires no employment .
The foliage is billow with spiky flower that bloom in the early summertime . It can add some nice gloss to your garden early during the time of year . It also blooms over and over during the summer and fall .
Types of catmint
There are over 200 different types of Nepeta perennials and more are being discovered by cultivator each yr .
However , only about 2 dozen are actively being develop . notice that the bulk of catmint is sterile from the nursery so you may not be able to propagate it .
Some of the most democratic single are the following :
What’s the difference between catmint and catnip?
A lot of citizenry consider them to be the same thing and use catmint vs. catnip interchangeably .
The accuracy is that they ’re actuallydifferent coinage , which is why they have different names . They own interchangeable characteristics and the tutelage for each is nearly selfsame . The main difference is their bloom season , summit , and variants . Catnip is frigid hardy and does well in similar zone .
Both are part of the mint kinfolk . Catnip is weedier . Catmint is prettier . Catmint blooms more often than catnip with clean flowers .
How to propagate catmint
There are multiple way to acquire catmint , but the most rewarding ( and fun ) is from come .
That mode , you get to see it grow from a sister and reap the rewards of it . We ’ll breed both growing from seed and class . Both of them are exceedingly easy .
From seed
This is the recommended method acting because you’re able to control what go into it . If you want constitutive catmint , you could get constitutional seminal fluid , use organic soil , etc . Most computer hardware memory board or baby’s room sell the seminal fluid mail boat . Or you could grade them online .
The best fourth dimension to set catmint is in the outflow . Note that even though it ’s an herbaceous plant , it does require a muckle of space between each plant . So be prepared for that .
Start by using a planting kit ( cum starting motor ) . you could also apply a 3 ” pot with potting admixture .
Sow seeds indoors over the winter for spring planting . Plant 2 - 3 come per compartment and water . Each ejaculate only demand a tad bit of soil backfill . No need to go overboard . These thing plant themselves . Cover with a humidity dome and place near a cheery window .
Keep it moist and humid , but not waterlogged . If you do n’t have a strong reference of sunlight , employ a grow visible light . If the last frost has slip by , you may seed outdoors .
take down that cold ranked seeds ( stash away in the freezer for 1 night , the water for 1 night ) can help increase germination charge per unit .
Within 1 - 2 weeks , you should see them germinate . Remove the cover and uphold to water over the winter . Keep them warm until after the last frost . Then they ’re ready to be planted in your garden .
When you transfer them to the garden , you need to ply passable outer space between each works , or else they can overcrowd .
When they do , they ’re prostrate to fungus or mildew issuing due to the slow leafage . It traps moisture between the leaves and in the soil , so this induce leaf place , blight , etc .
imbed each one at least 30 cm aside . Water light and keep moist . Thin to at least 12 ” apart .
Rooting
you could take root it by digging up the soil around it and then gently cutting it in one-half . Then imbed each one as its plant .
Each small-arm should have its piece of the origin arrangement and replant them about 12 inch apart .
Do this on a regular basis every 2 - 3 years to keep it create . If you do n’t divide it , it ’ll come out to quieten . void rooting in the peak summertime time of year . Cut vertically with a garden shear .
Cuttings
It does n’t get well-heeled than this . Cut the stems and then plant them before peak bud form .
Do this in the fountain after the last frost and you ’re salutary to go . It does cut your flower production in half and will slow down the blooms for the time of year , but you ’ll reduplicate your turn of plants .
They can be rationalise from the top 3 - 4 inches of each stem . move out the farewell from the stem and only keep the top few yoke . rootle with rooting hormone and then plant the reveal end into a container or land in a protect fix . Water as normal .
you’re able to test if it ’s take root by labour on it after 3 - 4 calendar week . you may then transfer it into it ’s a new house or flower lot .
Some masses root their plants indoors in a jarful of water .
As long as none of the leaves are submerge , you should be fine . Replace the water every other day and keep an eye on for tooth root .
How to grow catmint
This section has a bunch of guidelines to get the most out of your catmint plant . Note that depending on the cultivar you have , care may vary .
But the care should be relatively standardized for all type of Nepeta . No need to get analytic thinking paraysis over it .
Hardiness zone
Catmint grows good in USDA zones 4 - 8 . It can mature in warmer zones , but it does n’t tolerate exuberant rut or afternoon scorching well .
It can also be planted in modest zone even if it ’s stale , but it ’ll postulate some compost or winter mulch for trade protection . For practiced results , plant within the ideal zones compass .
Soil
Catmint is n’t pickyand does fine in any eccentric of soil as long as it ’s well - draining .
Avoid using stain that ’s overly clumpy as this can lead to water back up and make it wet or soggy .
This can make root buncombe or mildew outcome . tally mulch to help retain wet and forestall spare watering . It flourish in lean grunge with dryer conditions . This will assist encourage more flowering and stronger olfactory property .
Humus - rich soil is idealistic . you could practice ironic stain , clay land , stony soils , or potting mixture if you ’re growing catmint in a container or smoke . prolific soil produces shaggy-coated plant life .
Catmint prefers somewhat acidic filth with pH between 5 - 7 . you’re able to frown the pH of your territory by using lime or other rude amendment .
If you do n’t love what your soil ’s prosody are , use a grime test outfit . Catmint is tolerant of different soil eccentric so it ’ll probably adapt regardless .
Plant depth
Plant each seedling 0.25″ deep with barely any soil covering it . If you ’re doing cuttings or root divisions , plant it as deep as the original catnip plant .
blank each catnip plant life at least 12 ” aside , but 18 ” is preferred . They grow impenetrable leafage and will compete and also raise the humidity of the garden , which may lead to mold or fungus . Container planting help because it makes it easier to curb .
Mulch your soil regularly to help keep the moisture hold back . It also helps eliminate weed , which will compete with your Nepeta cataria for nutrient . Compost , barque , or shuck help ameliorate flora vigour and controller temperature .
Sunlight
Catmint is liberal of heating , so it can be placed in direct sunlight if you require the best yield . It can also be develop in fond sunshine if you have hot weather in the summertime to prevent scorching .
There are unlike type of catnip , but most will favor full Sunday . It bloom in late outflow to mid - summer with dispirited , white , and violet colour . If you prune it right , it ’ll bloom once again in the tumble .
Watering
Water regularly ( 1 in per week for the first season ) on a docket until the plants are established with their first few pairs of leaves .
Once they produce tall enough ( 3 - 4 in tall ) , you could tone it down . you could expend a mulch to help slenderize oftenness . Do n’t let it go teetotal between waterings .
Keep it moist , but not lactating . No want to worry about it . They ’re comparatively hard to drouth , so no need to overwater .
Account for rainfall and hot mean solar day , both of which will call for a watering adjustment . notice that once it ’s fully demonstrate , catmints will seldom demand supplemental watering other than the episodic water to keep the soil skillful and moist .
First - year plant are when you water the most , but then , they become drouth resistant next season . So reduce watering .
rip up barque , straw , or mulch can help retain water and trim back green goddess . It also improves drain , which is critical for catnip .
Humidity
They like moderate humidness . obviate excess humidity by pruning , cutting foliage , and spacing properly . Do n’t overwater and keep it dry .
Temperature
Catmint can tolerate heating and drouth but prefer cool temperature . good afternoon shade helps them thrive , so choose your planting location well .
They grow best in zone 4 - 8 . High heat will smart them as will humidity , but this is only for the most extreme location .
Plant food
Catmint does n’t need plant food or plant solid food . Under distinctive conditions , they do n’t need any supplemental foods or soil amendment and do exquisitely on their own .
If you add industrial plant food and you do n’t know what you ’re doing , you may terminate up with stems that collapse or wads of leaves and fewer heyday . If this is the case , stop fertilizer by wean off or use one that has less atomic number 7 ( NPK ) .
Other than some mulch or compost supplemented to the base of the industrial plant in the crepuscle , you do n’t have to care . Once take root , it needs no other addendum or food .
Too much plant life solid food will make it raise boney leaves . Remember : it thrive when you neglect it .
Pruning
Prune when plant are 8 cm tall .
This will serve them acquire even more and become bushy . If your plant are thin or leggy , it intend they either do n’t have enough plant food , redundant nitrogen in the fertilizer / territory , or lack of pruning .
Prune regularly to aid encourage growth . bump off the played out blooms immediately . Deadhead as wintertime descend plus throughout the summer and fall .
This will advertize more flowers . It also helps the plant from reseeding . Use a desexualize twain of shears or trimmer and hack them back to half their sizing .
Note that some of your catmint may enter a summer lull stop when the first blooms are done . swerve them back by ⅓ to help promote another daily round and new leaves . Cutting them back avail them grow more , as backward as it sound .
Catmint is floppy and bushy that max out at 2 feet tall and about 2 feet all-embracing .
But some will rise taller and others wider . This prepare them good for reportage , but you call for to keep it well - draining or else risk fungal infection .
Shearing regularly aid to get it to flower again during the season . This is how you advance repeating blooming when they ’re done ab initio blossom .
The 2d round of bloom wo n’t be as voluminous as the first one , but at least you have one !
Overwintering
Catmint is hardy in zones 4 - 8 , but if you grow it in a lower zone , it may need wintertime security .
you could total some titbit of mulch to help protect it from the cold , or use a inhuman skeleton . If it ’s too cold , it ’ll wither and you ’ll have to replant it indoors over the winter .
But that intend you ’re growing it as an yearly , which is fine .
Compost can be used around the base of the works in the spring with barked mulch to avail deter dope . It also help retain wet in the substrate .
Harvesting
If catmint is wish for in good order ( or lack thereof ! ) It ’ll bloom incessantly throughout the spring and fall . Just be sure to deadhead as it blooms to encourage it to keep growing .
Harvest when the plant is base and the flowers are in full salad days . you may use the slip fresh or dried . They can also be freeze to keep them stored for extended menses .
Catmint tea is refreshfully minty and tasty during the winter . The leave-taking can be harvested when they ’re around 6 inches tall . But the longer you allow it be , the more hard the feel becomes .
Harvest in the evening after all the water has dried . thin the top ⅓ of the stem as much as you need .
The leaves can be dry by hanging them in a clump in a dark teetotal room until they crumble . entrepot in mason jounce or bags in a dark area out of sunlight .
Companion planting
Some of the best plants to grow with catmint are the single that offer complementary coloring . Think of pink and blue , or pinkish and whitened , etc .
deal planting with yarrow , iris , daylilies , daisy , peony , coreopsis , anddelphiniums . It ’s a good filler works to employ between gaps and offers more color for your garden . It grows well as a rock garden plant or near a paries for that cascade down effect .
It can also cover up dirty works with nasty bases , like rosaceous bushes . So it serves a salmagundi of purposes . Bees , butterfly , and hummingbirds will come .
Pests
Catmint is a relatively pest - free herbaceous plant but some of its biggest annoyance are thripid .
Thankfully , aphids , loot worms , squash bugs , and the other most vulgar garden pests are n’t willing to take a pungency out of it . If you notice a thripid plague , use manual removal , insecticidal max , neem crude , or horticultural oil . Use as point .
Dish soap also influence .
Spider mites , slugs , and other gastropods can show up . you may control them with beer traps or by spray them down with a hose .
It ’s resistant to deer and attracts bird , bee , and other beneficial pollinator .
Diseases
The master issues you need to watch out for are fungous problems . These are common if the industrial plant is give to grow crazily and cut through the land with its dense leaves .
This raises the humidness and prevents evaporation , which can conduce to mildew , fungus , or folio billet . Cooler soaked atmospheric condition can result in yellow hoop on the parting .
Dry up the water and prune the infested foliage . Blight may be get by the Cercospora fungi , which make for yellow circles that turn brown on the limp leaves . Again , dispose of infected leaves and keep them dry .
Do n’t touch the catmint when it ’s wet , get free of moisture , keep weeds in ascendance , and remove infested leafage . This should avail get free of leaf spot and blight .
Best uses
Catmint can be used forcooking , teas , boiled stew , and soups . It can also be used to repulse pests when placed next to pest - prone plants .
The leave can be maintain in an airtight container to persevere . The plant is versatile because it can be used refreshful , dried , or frozen for storage .
Smaller smorgasbord can be skilful for flush beds or sundry beds . Annual veggies can be benefited because they bring in beneficial pollinators .
It also suits mixed beds or xeriscapes with ironic conditions . It demand no water when established other than rainwater . You wo n’t believe it until you essay it .
Catmint is also normally found near rosebush . The colour of it complement roses and the green foliage get across the rosaceous stifle .
Catmint also does well as a boarding or pathing flora where it can add some foliage . It can also be planted to contrast other spiky plant like yucca .
Common questions about catmint care
Here are some other unremarkably asked questions about catmint tutelage that you may find utilitarian .
If you have more doubt that involve answers , post a comment at the end of this Sir Frederick Handley Page and I ’ll get back to you .
Can cats eat catmint?
Catmint will make cats go crazylike they ’re intoxicated because of the born oils in the leaf .
Consider qat - proof your flower bed if you design to turn it . If cats eat it , it acts as a stimulant like chocolate or vitality boozing . It get them up and plucky .
Small amounts wo n’t harm your cat unless it ’s sensitive or has allergies . But you should n’t let them crunch on it on purpose . remark that it has the opposite effect on frank .
Is catmint easy to grow?
Yes , Nepeta cataria is extremely soft to grow . It essentially takes fear of itself once you get it get down .
It only want care in its first year with even watering and pruning . After that , it ’s just a matter of pruning it , collecting / harvesting , and then spread it .
It can be used in xeriscapes or orbit with inadequate water reach .
Can you grow catmint in pots?
Yes , catmint can be grown in container . This is prosperous to make out with because you could move it with rest .
Just make certain that the container you use is heavy enough ( tiny plants will do all right in 3 ” diameter containers ) . Upgrade as needed . Avoid plant life food as it builds up . Do n’t overwater .
There should be at least 3 drainage interface on the bottom . apply rock or pebble at the stand to help it drain and preclude clogging .
When you ’re using pot , you must use a high quality grime because it ’s a little master surround for your plant life to consume nutrients from the surroundings . When you advance dope , do NOT use the same dirt . Reseed it with fresh soil .
Is catmint poisonous to dogs?
Catmint should n’t harm dogs in humble quantity , but your frump may be sensible or hypersensitised to it .
So avoid contact by fence it off . Nepeta contains an oil that has the opposite effect on dogs compare to cats .
It usually have them sleepy and stock , whereas CT will be jumpy and alert . The vegetable oil in the foliage may adversely involve your dog ’s behavior , so avoid ingestion .
What can I plant next to catmint?
you could implant complimentary plants that have oppose colour combination or costless color . It also does well with edible plant because it bestow in pollinators .
industrial plant non compete perennials so it does n’t exhaust up the nutrients and stunt the other ones .
Some serious choices are salvia , yarrow , lamb ’s ear , winecups , Jupiter ’s Beard , poppy mallow , Artemisia abrotanum , catnip , rue , daisies , etc .
Does catmint attract bees?
Catmint will do more than bee . It also brings in bird and other beneficial pollinators to your garden .
So if you have veg grow or other edible works in your garden , you could use the lure of Nepeta cataria to help get them pollinated . bee , birds , wasps , etc .
The right louse that want in your yard .
Does catmint grow in the shade?
While catmint does well in fond sunshine ( shade ) , it does in force in full sun . It like coolheaded weather with dry circumstance . If you want the best proceeds , opt for full sun .
However , if it ’s particularly hot , fond sunlight is good . It wholly bet on your mood .
Why is my catmint floppy?
Taller variations will flop when they ’re tall or when there are extra nutrients in the soil .
count reducing plant food or punt to help prop up it up . If you notice yellow-bellied or dark-brown dress circle on the leaf , there ’s probably a foliage pip or blight situation start on .
Do n’t overwater . Stop supplementing with fertilizer . Prune on a regular basis .
Further reading/references
No wonder why cats like it
With its minimum sustentation , ease of maintenance , and versatility of catmint , it ’s the one perennial herb that gives and give .
Border your garden . Compliment rose wine . Repel aphids . Use it to moil Camellia sinensis or add some feeling to your dishes .
It necessitate no industrial plant food . No water when lay down . And reseeds itself without your treatment . It can be turn in your garden soil or in your favorite pot . you could even bracing cut it , friend .
What more could you want from a garden plant that does n’t ask for a whole lot ?
I ’ve always been interested in horticulture , but I never occupy it in earnest until I was forcefully gifted an orchid . This was what experience me into the hobby and I ’ve never looked back . I love writing about it , but not about as much as sustain into the dirt and sculpt the perfect cosmetic ornamental to enjoy for the times .
