Nepeta

( NEP - et - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

These perennial members of the Mint family, commonly called Catnip or Catmint, need full sun to partial shade and moderate water to thrive in the landscape. Species are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and have naturalized in many regions of North America. Their flowers attract bees and other pollinators to the garden and can be blue, blue-violet, white, pink or yellow. These plants are vigorous growers and spread freely in the garden like many other plants in the Mint family. Foliage is aromatic and somewhat hairy. Catmint makes attractive informal low hedges or edgings for beds, or can be planted as members of informal, potager, herb, or drought-tolerant gardens. They also do well in containers.

Nepeta Species and Varietals

The genus Nepeta is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae and includes 295 distinct species. Catmint plants are related to those in genera Hyssopus (Hyssop), Agastache (Hummingbird Mint), Dracocephalum (Dragonhead), and Glechoma (Creeping Charlie). The genus name references the ancient Etruscan city called Nepete. The best growing zones for Nepeta are USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones 1-24, but this varies somewhat depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Nepeta cataria (Catnip, Catswort, Catwort, Catmint, Field Balm)
This native of the Mediterranean and western Asia reaches 2-3 feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are somewhat fuzzy and grey-green and it sends up spikes of pink or white flowers in late spring and early summertime. It likes light soil and will self-sow easily. The common name of this species refers to its effect on cats. This species is considered invasive in West Virginia, Maryland, and Nebraska in the United States.

Nepeta clarkei (Clark's Catmint, Himalayan Catmint, Tibetan Catmint)
This species of Nepeta grows best in USDA hardiness zones 4-7 r Sunset growing zones 2b-9 and 14-24. It is native to the Himalayas and reaches 2.5-4 feet tall and 1.5-3 feet wide. Flowers are blue marked with white and appear in summer through early fall. Leaves are green.

Nepeta curviflora (Syrian Catnip, Syrian Catmint)
These plants are native to the Middle East and were first formally described in 1844. Foliage is silvery-green and aromatic, and Flowers bloom between April and June. Blooms are tubular and dark blue, grouped together on spikes. This species reaches up to 3 feet tall and forms a neat mound.

Nepeta x faassenii (Catmint, Fassen's Catnip, Blue Catmint)
This sterile hybrid (a cross between Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella) has silvery grey-green foliage and reaches a foot tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide at maturity. Flowers are lavender-blue and bloom in late spring and early summertime. If grown as a groundcover, space 1.5 feet apart.

'Picture Purrfect'
To 18-30 in. with lavender-blue flowers.

'Pink Pixie'
10-12 inches tall with soft pink blossoms and grey foliage.

'Select Blue'
With dark lavender flowers.

'Six Hills Giant'
To 3 feet tall with dense spikes of deep violet flowers.

'Snowflake'
Compact to 12-18 inches tall with delicate white flowers.

'Walker's Low'
Large, mounding plant to 18-30 inches tall. Lavender-blue flowers.

Nepeta govaniana (Himalayan Catnip, Yellow Catmint, Himalayan Catmint, Kashmir Catmint)
This species is native to the Himalayas, and was first described in 1834. Flowers are cream colored to light yellow, and bloom in loose clusters towards the tops of stems. Flowers dangle from their attachments, and stems rise enough above foliage to make for a wonderful show in spring and summertime. individual plants reach up to 3-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.

Nepeta grandiflora (Large-Flowered Catmint)
This species is native to Europe and the Caucasus, reaching 2.5 feet tall and 1.5 feet wide. Foliage is grey-green and flowers are violet-blue, popping in late spring and early summertime. Varieties include 'Bramdean' (with lavender-blue flowers), Summer Magic (with deep lavender blooms) and 'Dawn to Dusk' (pictured, with lilac-pink flowers and smoky violet calyxes).

Nepeta italica (Italian Catmint)
Native to the Mediterranean region, these plants were first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. Flowers are white, and bloom in whorls towards the top of flowering stems. Plants reach up to between 8 and 20 inches tall when mature and in bloom. Leaves are green.

Nepeta nepetella (Lesser Catmint, Nepetella, Nepitella)
This low-growing species reaches between 16 and 31 inches tall and produces summertime spikes of small bluish-violet flowers. Nepetella, as an herb, tastes like a mix between oregano and mint. Many gardeners will plant this species in herb or vegetable gardens.

Nepeta nervosa (Prominently-Veined Catmint)
Native to Kashmir, this plant has green foliage and reaches 1-2 feet tall and a foot wide. Flowers are a bright violet-blue and bloom from the middle of summer through early autumn. Variety 'Pink Cat' has pink blooms and 'Blue Moon' has purple-lavender blossoms.

Nepeta racemosa (Nepeta mussinii) (Nepeta reichenbachiana) (Dwarf Catnip, Raceme Catnip)
This plant is native to the Caucasus, Turkey and Iran and grows to be 6 inches to a foot tall and 2 feet wide or more. Leaves range in color from green to grey-green and are hairy. The flowers on this species are lavender, and bloom over a short season in midsummer. If sheared, a second bloom can be encouraged. Reseeds freely and vigorously. Cultivar 'Walker's Low' is a great garden selection.

Nepeta sibirica (Nepeta macrantha, Dracocephalum sibiricum) (Siberian Catnip, Siberian Catmint)
This species of Nepeta is native to Siberia and is a sturdy, upright plant with hairy leaves and violet-blue blossoms that bloom in early summer for only a month. Varieties include 'Six Hills Giant' (with deeper blue flowers on a plant that reaches 1.5-3 feet tall and wide) and 'Souvenir d'Andre Chaudron' (pictured; also known as 'Blue Beauty', which reaches 1.5 feet tall and wide and blooms through late summertime).

Nepeta subsessilis (Short-Stalked Catmint, Japanese Catmint)
These plants are native to Japan, and reach 40 inches tall and 20 inches wide. Green leaves are aromatic, and soft blue flowers bloom in clusters in summer and fall. These plants are more compact than others in the genus. Varieties include 'Prelude' and 'Blue Dreams'.

Caring for Nepeta

These easy-care perennial plants are best planted in the spring or fall, about 1 to 3 feet apart (though this depends on the mature size of the specific type grown). Take care when placing these plants, as they do spread aggressively, and can out-compete nearby plant life for root space and sunlight. They enjoy a space in the garden that receives full sun during the day; ideally, they like between 6 and 8 hours, but they can also do well in partial shade (especially in warmer climates). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich, and high in organic matter. They appreciate a soil pH of between 5.0 and 8.0 (acidic to alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Water newly planted Nepeta regularly to help it develop a strong root system. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone with some supplemental waterings in the warmest months of the year.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Shear plants back after their initial flowering to clean up foliage and encourage a second bloom to pop. They can look a bit floppy, weedy, and sprawling in the summertime, and some varieties will reseed freely. To discourage reseeding, take off flowering spikes before they can set seed. A summertime cleanup can also be completed to improve the habit of these shrubs. It is best to wait until the early springtime to hard prune these plants (cut them back to ground level), as they have herbaceous foliage and if pruned too late in the season, can push out new growth that will not be able to handle cooler winter temperatures. Every so often, these plants will need to be divided for health. For instructions on how to divide Nepeta plants, see the Propagation section below.

Growing Nepeta in Containers
Catmint can be successfully grown in containers if a few conditions are met. This is a good choice for small-space gardens or patio gardens, where spreading plants can cause a bit of an issue. Find a pot that is at least 12 inches in diameter with large drainage holes at the base. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with plenty of organic matter. Water regularly; Nepeta grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. Every two to three years, Nepeta grown in containers will need to be divided. Good indicators for a needed division include roots growing out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot and general decline of plants. Nepeta can simply be placed in a larger pot, but they really do best with regular dividing.

Harvesting Nepeta
Catnip is harvested from the species Nepeta cataria, and is cultivated for its essential oils, flowers, and leaves, which are all used to create various products for cats. Catnip can also be turned into a tea or used as flavoring or garnish for humans and their culinary creations, though it does not have the same euphoric effect that it does for our furry friends. The best time to pick catnip leaves and flowers is when the plants are blooming in the middle of summertime. This is when the oils are at their peak levels in the foliage. Harvest leaves in the afternoon, once the dew has dried. Cut off entire stems close to the base of the plant. Stems can be bundled and hung to ensure that all oils reach leaves, or leaves can simply be removed at this time and set out to dry. Once they have fully dried out, they can be stored whole or crushed in a sealable container or bag in a cool, dark cupboard.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Nepeta, or Catmint, can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Nepeta, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Nepeta by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 10-20 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Nepeta by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.

Nepeta seeds will form along flower spikes as they dry out and turn brown.

Nepeta seeds are tiny, oval-shaped, and dark brown to black.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Nepeta plants do not typically suffer from pest and disease issues in the landscape. For information on commonly-encountered pests and diseases in the garden, consult the following pages:

Pests & Pest Management

Plant Issues