Ever walked past a garden and noticed those swaying purple-blue blooms that seem to attract every bee in the neighborhood? That’s probably catmint you’re admiring! Catmint (Nepeta) is a low-maintenance perennial that brightens up any garden with its vibrant flowers and aromatic foliage.
This versatile member of the mint family brings beauty without the fuss, sporting silvery-gray foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers that bloom for months. Unlike its cousin catnip, it offers more ornamental value while still maintaining that characteristic minty scent when crushed.
In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about growing catmint – from selecting the right variety for your space to care tips that’ll keep your plants thriving year after year.
Types of Catmint Varieties
The world of catmint is surprisingly diverse, with dozens of species and cultivars to choose from. Most garden varieties are derived from Nepeta faassenii or Nepeta × faassenii (a hybrid), though you’ll find other species worth exploring too.
- “Walker’s Low” might be the most popular variety around, and ironically, it’s not that low – growing up to 24-30 inches tall! This variety impresses with its long-lasting blue-violet blooms that start in late spring and often continue till first frost if properly pruned.
- “Six Hills Giant” lives up to its name, towering at 36 inches or more. This variety does tend to flop a bit in mid-summer, but a quick trim perks it right back up.
- “Cat’s Meow” is a compact variety under 20 inches and doesn’t spread aggressively like some of its cousins. The densely-packed blooms create a more tidy appearance that works beautifully in containers or front-of-border plantings.
Why You Should Grow Catmint in Your Garden
If you’re looking for a plant that gives maximum impact with minimum effort, catmint should be top of your list. The drought tolerance is legendary. Once established, these plants rarely need supplemental watering except in extreme conditions. This makes them perfect for water-wise gardens or those spots where the hose doesn’t quite reach.
The color palette of catmint, while predominantly in the blue-purple range, offers more variation than you might think. From soft lavender to deep violet and even some pink-flowering varieties, these plants provide that elusive true-blue color that many gardens lack. The blooms last for weeks, and with proper pruning, you’ll often get a second show in late summer.
PRO TIP: Use catmint in low-maintenance gardens. It grows in poor soil and requires minimal care.
Perhaps most importantly, bees and butterflies absolutely adore catmint. On sunny afternoons, pollinators gather nectar from the abundant blooms. If supporting pollinators is a priority for your garden, this plant is one of the best additions you can make!
How to Grow Catmint: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing catmint successfully starts with finding the right spot. These Mediterranean natives crave sunshine – at least 6 hours of direct sun is ideal for robust growth and maximum flowering. While they’ll tolerate partial shade, you’ll notice fewer blooms and leggier growth in shadier locations.
Soil requirements couldn’t be simpler: well-draining soil is a must, but fertility isn’t critical. In fact, catmint often performs better in poor to average soil than in rich garden loam. The plant will thrive in rocky, neglected areas where other plants struggle. If your soil tends to stay wet, consider amending with compost or grit to improve drainage, as these plants hate wet feet.
PRO TIP: Ensure well-draining soil for catmint, as it thrives in poor to average soil.
The best time to plant catmint is early spring or fall when temperatures are moderate. Space plants according to the variety – generally 18-24 inches apart for most types, though larger varieties like Six Hills Giant may need 30 inches between plants. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, position your plant at the same depth it was growing in its nursery pot, and water thoroughly after planting.
Watering newly planted catmint requires some attention, but don’t overdo it. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first few weeks until you see new growth, then gradually reduce watering. By mid-summer, established plants typically need water only during prolonged drought periods.
Fertilization is rarely necessary for catmint. In fact, too much fertility often results in floppy growth and fewer flowers. If your soil is particularly poor, a light application of balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring might help, but it’s usually unnecessary.
PRO TIP: Avoid over-fertilizing catmint. Too much fertilizer can lead to leggy growth or fewer flowers.
Catmint Care: Tips for Healthy Plants
The secret to gorgeous catmint lies in timely pruning. After the first flush of blooms begins to fade (usually early to mid-summer), grab your pruning shears and cut the plants back by about one-third to one-half their height. This might seem drastic, but this haircut stimulates fresh growth and often triggers a second round of flowering that can last until frost.
For the most part, catmint shrugs off pests and diseases. Occasionally, you might notice aphids clustering on the tender new growth, but a strong spray of water usually dislodges them. In particularly humid conditions, powdery mildew can sometimes appear as a white, powdery coating on leaves. Improving air circulation by thinning plants and avoiding overhead watering helps prevent this issue.
Division isn’t frequently necessary with catmint, but older plants (4+ years) might benefit from rejuvenation. Early spring is the best time to dig up and divide crowded clumps, replanting the divisions promptly and keeping them well-watered until established.
Catmint and Wildlife: Attracting Pollinators
If you’ve never witnessed a garden humming with pollinators, plant some catmint and prepare to be amazed. The nectar-rich flowers act like magnets for beneficial insects of all kinds.
Honeybees and native bumblebees are perhaps the most common visitors, sometimes covering the plants so thoroughly that the flowers seem to move. Butterflies, particularly smaller species like skippers, are frequent visitors as well. So do beneficial hover flies that help control aphid populations in the garden.
PRO TIP: Incorporate them in your garden to attract bees and butterflies with its nectar-rich blooms.
To maximize catmint’s wildlife benefits, plant it in drifts rather than as isolated specimens. Clusters of at least three plants create enough floral mass to draw pollinators from a distance. Consider incorporating catmint into a dedicated pollinator garden along with other favorites like echinacea, rudbeckia, and native asters for a succession of blooms throughout the growing season.
The wildlife benefits extend beyond the blooming period too. If you leave the seed heads standing through fall and winter, small birds like finches will feast on the tiny seeds. The dense, twiggy growth also provides valuable shelter for beneficial insects during the colder months.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake new catmint growers make is overwatering. These plants evolved in dry Mediterranean regions and actually perform better with less moisture. Too much water, especially in heavy soils, leads to root rot and a quick decline. When in doubt, err on the dry side – your catmint will thank you.
Neglecting to prune after the first bloom is another common oversight. Without that mid-season cutback, most varieties become leggy and produce fewer flowers as summer progresses. It might seem counterintuitive to cut back a plant that’s still partially in bloom, but this tough love approach pays dividends with months of additional flowering.
Planting catmint in the shade is setting yourself up for disappointment. While they’ll survive in partial shade, you’ll get fewer flowers and more stretched, floppy growth.
Heavy, clay soil that stays wet presents another challenge. If you’re dealing with clay, consider planting catmint in raised beds or on slight mounds to improve drainage. Alternatively, amend the soil thoroughly with compost and grit before planting to create a better environment for these drought-loving plants.
Landscaping Ideas
The versatility of catmint in the landscape is one of its greatest assets. These plants shine in so many garden settings that it’s hard to go wrong.
In perennial borders, it makes an excellent middle-ground plant, bridging the gap between shorter edging plants and taller background specimens. Pairing catmint with roses is highly recommended – the soft, hazy nature of catmint beautifully complements the more structured form of rose bushes. Plus, the typically blue-purple flowers of create a stunning contrast with pink, yellow, or white roses.
For hot, sunny spots where many plants struggle, the plant offers reliable performance. Try it along driveways, in hellstrips (that challenging area between sidewalk and street), or in other exposed locations where heat and drought stress most plants. The silvery foliage reflects sunlight, helping these plants cope with intense conditions.
Container gardening with catmint works surprisingly well, especially with the more compact varieties. Cat’s Meow and Little Titch are particularly suited to pot culture. Just be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and containers with ample drainage holes.
PRO TIP: Compact varieties like ‘Cat’s Meow’ and ‘Little Titch’ are perfect for container gardening, requiring well-draining soil and ample drainage holes.
As for companion plants, the list is extensive, but some great pairings include:
- Lavender, whose similar cultural requirements and complementary purple blooms create a harmonious combination
- Daylilies, particularly in yellow or orange, which provide bold color contrast
- Sedums and other succulents, whose structural forms balance catmint’s more informal habit
- Ornamental grasses like Festuca glauca (Blue Fescue), which echo the silvery foliage tones
- Echinacea, creating a pollinator paradise when planted together
Catmint and Cats: Is it Safe?
Despite its name, catmint generally doesn’t drive cats wild the way true catnip (Nepeta cataria) does. Most ornamental catmints contain lower levels of nepetalactone, the compound that triggers that famous feline response.
That said, some cats do show interest in garden catmints, particularly certain varieties like Six Hills Giant. You might notice your cat rubbing against the plants or occasionally nibbling the foliage. The good news is that catmint is completely non-toxic to cats, so these interactions are nothing to worry about.
PRO TIP: Catmint is non-toxic to cats, so there’s no need to worry if they interact with it.
If you’re specifically looking to please your feline friends, true catnip is a better choice. This species contains much higher levels of nepetalactone and reliably produces that characteristic rolling, playful behavior in most cats. Catnip is also a perfectly fine garden plant, though it’s less ornamental than its cousins, with coarser foliage and less showy flowers.
For gardeners with both cats and dogs, it’s worth noting that while cats may be attracted to these plants, dogs typically show no interest. Both catmint and catnip are safe for dogs as well, presenting no toxicity concerns.
Conclusion
From its months of colorful blooms and aromatic foliage to its undemanding nature and wildlife benefits, catmint deserves a place in virtually every sunny garden. Whether you’re an experienced gardener looking to add reliable performers to your landscape or a beginner seeking plants that won’t punish minor neglect, catmint delivers on all fronts.
Ready to get growing? Check out your local garden centers in spring when they’re typically well-stocked with catmint varieties, or explore online nurseries for more unusual cultivars. Your garden—and your local pollinators—will thank you for adding this versatile, vibrant perennial to your landscape.