Catmint Plant (Nepeta) Profile
Catmint Plant, also called Nepeta, catnips plant, is a perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. Catmint plant is an extremely easy-growing plant with few pests or problems. It has slightly aromatic gray-green foliage with a delicate, lacy appearance. Its billowing foliage is topped with spikes of flowers in early summer, with repeat blooms throughout the season. The flowers of Catmint plant can be white, pink, or lavender-blue.
You can get rid of slugs and snails with bait such as Sluggo, copper strips, beer traps, or with crushed eggshell. Learn more about defeating slugs and snails. Spider mites can be treated with neem oil. If you see whiteflies, consider using pheromone traps. In hot and humid conditions, gardeners might see disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas. This can be controlled with a bactericide.
Catmint Plant PictureCatmint Plant Ecological HabitsCatmint Plant Distribution AreaHow to Grow and Care for Catmint PlantUses of Catmint PlantVarieties of Catmint PlantCatmint Plant Common Pests/DiseasesCatmint Plant ValueCatmint Plant Companion Plants
Catmint Plant Picture
Catmint Plant info
Botanical Name | Nepeta spp. |
Common Name | Catmint Plant, Catnips Plant |
Plant Type | Perennial |
Mature Size | 10 to 24 inches tall, 1 to 2 feet wide |
Sun Exposure | Full sun to part shade |
Soil Type | Dry, well-draining |
Soil pH | Acidic to alkaline (5.0 to 8.0) |
Bloom Time | Late spring, summer |
Catmint Plant Ecological Habits
Most catmint varieties have a somewhat sprawling growth habit, making them nice plants for edging planting areas and for running along paths. However, there are a few tall-growing varieties, like'Six Hills Giant',with a more upright habit. As with many scented, gray-foliage plants, catmint plant is deer-resistant. It grows quickly and, in most climates, can be planted from spring to early fall.Catmint Plant Distribution Area
E. Asia - China, Japan, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea.How to Grow and Care for Catmint Plant
Catmint Plant Light Care
You will get the best flowering if you plant your catmint plant in full sun, however, the plants will also grow well in partial shade.Catmint Plant Soil Care
Humus-rich, well-draining soil is ideal. Many species grow easily in a wide range of soil types, including dry clay and sandy or rocky soil.Catmint Plant Water Care
First-year plants need frequent watering, but once rooted, catmint plants are drought-tolerant.Catmint Plant Temperature & Humidity Care
Catmint plants like cool temperatures and benefit from afternoon shade in warm climates. They are often not tolerant of high heat and humidity.Catmint Plant Fertilizer Care
Add compost to the plant’s base in the fall, but once rooted it needs no further fertilization.Uses of Catmint Plant
Catmint plants can be used fresh, dried, or frozen for both culinary and herbal use. Harvest leaves as flowers begin to bloom, cutting the top leaves, stems, and flowers if desired. Spread out to dry in a cool, ventilated area and store the dried herb in an airtight container or bag to preserve its potency. The leaves and shoots can be added to soups and sauces. Tea made from the leaves and flowers can be used for calming nerves and relieving coughs, congestion, and menstrual cramps.Varieties of Catmint Plant
There are dozens of African daisy species and varieties, including:'Blue Wonder' Catmint
'Blue Wonder' Catmint - Nepeta x racemosa 'Blue Wonder' is compact at 12-15 inches tall. Its neat wrinkled leaves are grayish-green and show off the 6-inch terminal spikes of two-lipped dark blue flowers. Zones 5-9Catnip Plant
Nepeta cataria, otherwise known as the common catnip, is a herbaceous perennial that makes cats crazy. Zones 3-7'Little Titch' Catmint
'Little Titch' Catmint - Nepeta racemosa 'Little Titch' is a lovely dwarf plant forming a compact mound of green foliage with blue flowers. It grows just 8-10 inches tall and spreads up to 12 inches wide, making a great border or edging plant. It blooms almost constantly from late spring through fall. Zones 4-8Faassen's Catmint
Faassen's Catmint - Nepeta × faassenii is a tough perennial herb that thrives in hot, dry weather. Plants feature mounding sprays of silvery-green foliage with a flush of blue flowers. Deadhead or cut back after the first flush of bloom to encourage more flowers. It grows 1-2 feet tall and spreads up to 2 feet wide. Zones 4-9Japanese Catmint
Japanese Catmint - Nepeta × subsessilis bears the largest flower clusters of any catmint plant. Bloom spikes may be 8 inches long and 3 inches wide on plants that grow up to 4 feet tall. Sturdy stems keep the plant from requiring staking or shearing to maintain their strong upright habit. Like other catmint plants, it has a long season of bloom. Zones 4-8Catmint Plant Common Pests/Diseases
Catmint plant is really quite trouble-free, but we’ll touch on a few problems you might encounter. You may see aphids, leafhoppers, slugs, snails, spider mites, or whiteflies. For aphids, blast them off with a stream of water. In the case of leafhoppers, if the infestation is bad, you might have to pull up affected plants. If it’s not too bad, use an insecticidal soap such as this one from Bonide, available from Arbico Organics.You can get rid of slugs and snails with bait such as Sluggo, copper strips, beer traps, or with crushed eggshell. Learn more about defeating slugs and snails. Spider mites can be treated with neem oil. If you see whiteflies, consider using pheromone traps. In hot and humid conditions, gardeners might see disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas. This can be controlled with a bactericide.