- Nepeta x faassenii (Faassen’s catmint): This hybrid, with sterile flowers that don’t self-sow and don’t require deadheading, is by far the most widely cultivated variety employed for ornamental purposes.
- Nepeta subsessilis (Japanese catmint) is a wonderful choice for colder, wetter areas because, in contrast to other types, it prefers moist soil and some shade.
- Nepeta racemosa, also referred to as dwarf catmint: This species grows slowly and creates circular mounds that are as wide as the plants themselves. It is frequently used as a vibrant groundcover and grows between 12 and 18 inches tall.
Is catmint the same as catnip?
Compared to catmint, catnip (Nepeta cataria) has a stronger scent. It lacks ornamental qualities and has a propensity to grow weedy and invasively. It is primarily useful in the garden for cooking or as an insect repellent for particular pests including mosquitoes, aphids, and squash bugs.
Is it simple to grow nepeta?
These sturdy perennials bloom profusely from late spring through late summer, typically with lavender-blue blooms. Use the hardy plants as a low-maintenance alternative to lavender as an informal edging or in borders with other perennials.
How to plant nepeta
Nepeta can be planted beginning in October and continuing through May or June as long as you leave 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) between each plant.
- Although it can tolerate little shade, nepeta prefers full sun.
- It enjoys well-drained soil of any quality.
- Nepeta has the finest flavor when it is grown in direct sunlight.
Does Nepeta return each year?
Nepeta is a dependable perennial that grows regularly year after year. It is extremely hardy and tolerant of all environmental factors. When the growing circumstances are unsuitable for lavender, catmint can be used as a viable substitute, creating clouds of light blue and mauve in a garden. Nepeta is beneficial for growing in more challenging sections of the garden since it tolerates a wide range of growth circumstances, such as partial shade, dry weather, and drought zones.
While Lavender cannot survive in wetter conditions, Catmint can withstand them; Lavender needs considerably drier conditions, especially in the winter. As a Mediterranean plant, lavender will struggle on heavier, wetter ground. In contrast to catmint, which can grow practically everywhere, it needs to be dry, in well-drained soil, and in the sun. Nepeta is less picky about where it grows because it is native to many different settings. Catmint can thrive in full or partial sunlight, as well as in damp or dry soil. It can practically be grown everywhere and is incredibly tough. It will only not tolerate really soggy terrain. It has a long flowering period and occasionally produces a second flush of flowers if you cut it down.
Nepeta is quite simple to establish once it is planted. The added benefit is that pollinators and bees find it incredibly alluring. On a warm day, a clump will be buzzing with the sound of bees as you pass it. It is a plant that grows well in practically any environment and doesn’t require feeding, which can cause it to become lanky. As its name implies, it is appealing to creatures other than bees. Insert a few sticks to prevent cats from rolling on your Nepeta if you don’t like cats and don’t want that to happen. The sticks will blend in with the plant growth and will be undetectable to cats. If you enjoy cats, you might just want to stand by and observe how crazy they become when they see cat mint, running after it and rolling around.
How quickly does Nepeta expand?
In the fall or very early spring, sow seeds outside. Better stands result from planting in the fall. Under ideal circumstances, seeds germinate in five to ten days, but in colder soil, this time can increase to twenty days. Thin the plants to 18 inches apart when they are 2 to 5 inches tall. After 12 to 15 weeks, you can start picking leaves. If cats frequently visit your garden, use wire netting to protect young plants.
Nepeta spreads, right?
The majority of species can survive in a variety of soil conditions, including rocky and sandy soils. Just make sure the soil has a pH range of 5.0 to 7.5 and is well-draining.
Choose a spot that receives direct sunlight and incorporate approximately an inch of compost there. Plants do tend to be bushier in more fertile soil, yet it is not a must.
It’s important to note that some Nepeta species have a propensity for aggressive spread. Planting on raised beds or containers will help you avoid this.
When planting, water thoroughly. For the first season, supply about an inch of water each week. If it hasn’t rained for a few weeks, established plants are drought resilient and will only occasionally need water.
A effective technique to preserve soil moisture and enhance drainage is to add a few inches of mulch around the base of plants each season, such as shredded bark, leaves, or straw.
Should Nepeta be deadheaded?
Deadheading is beneficial if done frequently during the growth season since it promotes perennials to continue blooming. Nepeta can be pruned back after flowering for a new growth spurt and further display of flowers.
How are you caring for Nepeta?
- Catmint should be planted in a warm, bright (or somewhat sunny) location from spring through autumn; full sun produces the nicest blossoms.
- While necessitating ordinary water, once established, necessita becomes drought-tolerant.
- Catmint may thrive in a range of soil conditions.
- Trim spent blooms to retain compactness and encourage repeat bloom.
- Early spring is a good time to separate catmint clumps.
I frequently plant Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’, a gorgeous tidy mounding cultivar that bears deep blue flowers on erect stems, in the gardens of my clients. (It forms clusters up to 18 inches wide and grows to a height of between 18 and 24 inches.)
invasive Nepeta catmint?
They believed it would entice cats to prey on rodents hiding about the farm or house. However, current research suggests that catmint may not just be discovered around the foundations of historic European homes and barns. According to a recent USDA study, termites are unlikely to dig tunnels through soil where catmint flourishes. Naturally, a moat made of this plant would prevent these pests from penetrating the wood of a hut or cottage.
Termites, mosquitoes, and cockroaches are all repelled by the same chemical that draws cats. Nepeta cataria, also referred to as common catnip, is a plant that contains it. Nepetalactone, a terpene found in these herbs, has been shown to be several times more effective at repelling insects than harmful DEET. To influence a cat, the plants release oils that must be breathed rather than consumed. This explains why cats are so prone to rolling around in catmint plants. More volatile oils are released from the leaves when it is bruised. Cats can detect airborne odors down to one part per billion.
Not all felines react the same way to these herbs. In fact, roughly 30% of household cats might not even respond to catmint. It’s a hereditary reaction that can vary in intensity from person to person and is inherited. Strangely, until they are at least 3 months old, extremely young kittens rarely react to nepetalactone.
There are a dizzying variety of plants in the genus Nepeta. The large invasive plant known as real catmint is described above. It grows to a height of three feet and bears few white blooms. It usually only appears in herb gardens and has very nothing to recommend it in terms of aesthetics. Due to its hardiness up to Zone 3, it is a fantastic choice for gardens in the north.
Through natural cross-pollination and human breeding, numerous species have been introduced into gardens over time and transformed into new varieties. The outcome is a wide variety of garden-worthy catmints that are much better prospects for your yard than the usual kind. Keep in mind that these immigrants won’t be as resistant to the cold as the species is. The majority, but not all, are sterile, preventing plants from spreading outward in the absence of viable seed. Simply deadhead the flowers after they are spent to stop seed formation in order to completely avoid self sowing.
The Six Hills Giant, which stands 3 feet tall, is the most impressive version. Late in the summer, foot-long spikes of dark violet blooms appear on lush, spherical plants. It is generally accessible and a superb option for novice growers.
Nepeta racemosa “Walker’s Low,” which has a shorter size, is an excellent edging plant. A gentle carpet of blue fills up the front of a border. It only grows to a height of 18 inches but produces dense clusters of vividly blue flower spikes. Walkers Low and Six Hills are resilient to Zone 5.
Catmints typically grow best in sandy, well-drained soils, although they will grow almost anywhere that isn’t moist. Late in the growing season, they can become rangy, and regular trimming is beneficial to prevent the taller forms from flopping in the rain.
Today, catmint merits another look as a natural pest deterrent for eco-friendly dwellings. wherever there is a chance of infestation, plant. Kittie won’t overdose, though, as cats all seem to have a sense of proportion.
Is catmint the same as nepeta?
These two plants can be mistaken for one another by using different names, although they are actually distinct species. Catnip is Nepeta cataria, while catmint is Nepeta mussinii, both of which are members of the mint family. The following are some further variations and parallels between the two plants:
While catmint is frequently used as a lovely, flowering perennial in beds, catnip has a weedier aspect.
Catnip blooms less frequently than catmint. Typically, catnip blooms are white. Flowers on catmint are lavender.
Catmint vs. Catnip
Which is better, catnip or catmint? Plant common names can be confusing, especially when they sound so similar. Nepeta cataria, a widespread member of the mint family with white flowers that can be found all over the United States, particularly in disturbed areas, is known as catnip. These low-growing plants are a favorite among cats, and dried leaf cat toys are known to drive cats crazy.
On the other hand, catmint, another member of the mint family, is a stunning decorative plant that is hardy and flexible but is not as well-liked by domestic cats.
Walker’s Low Catmint: Nearly Perfect
Nepeta faassenii, often known as Walker’s Low catmint, has long served as the benchmark catmint in western gardens. In May, mounds of glistening periwinkle blue flowers begin to open, continuing for one to two months.
The blooms are a haven for hummingbirds, moths, butterflies, and bees, but deer and rabbits appear to avoid them. Catmints are nearly ideal plants since they can withstand drought, bloom for a long time, and withstand our harsh weather.
That is, almost flawless, barring two aspects. The weight of the blooms eventually causes the stalks to drop, opening and flattening the plant’s core, which causes all catmints to flop out a little after blooming.
The majority of catmints found at garden centers are fertile, which means that after blooming and receiving pollinator fertilization, they set viable seeds that disperse throughout the garden and result in an abundance of seedlings growing. Free seedlings are occasionally appreciated (especially those of such a lovely plant), but they are frequently an annoyance.
One more warning: Walker’s Low isn’t actually that “low.” Walker’s Low has a height range of 24 to 30 inches, which is quite low compared to Six Hills Giant, the previous benchmark for garden catmints, which reaches a height of 3 feet. Walker’s Low is actually not as low as its name suggests considering how little it is!
Little Trudy: Compact and Not a Spreader
Try Little Trudy catmint if you want a catmint with a neater appearance, one that stays compact and is more suited for small gardens, or one that won’t seed itself.
Before being released by Plant Select in 2008, Little Trudy was found at Little Valley Wholesale Nursery in Brighton, Colorado, and tested at Colorado State University and the Denver Botanic Gardens. It begins to bloom in the late spring and will continue to softly blossom all summer long. When crushed, the tiny, grey-green leaves release a pleasant scent.
Wildlife benefits: Pollinators such as moths, bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to stalks of small, purple-blue blooms.
Growing advice: If desired, prune back the first heavy flush of blooms; a second full flush will occur later in the summer.
What vegetation pairs nicely with nepeta?
Try combining Nepeta “Walker’s Low” with Achillea millefolium, Callirhoe involucrata, Coreopsis verticillata “Moonbeam,” Panicum virgatum “Prairie Sky,” Solidago nemoralis, or Schizachyrium scoparium “Standing Ovation.” COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS
Is catnip contagious?
Catnip can quickly spread throughout a bed and become fairly invasive. You may prevent this by planting the herb in a container and burying it next to catnip companion plants. Of course, the herb can draw cats to your yard, but honeybees are also drawn to the flowers. Use catnip as a border if you don’t want cats wandering about in your garden.
Because of the pleasant plant aroma, the cats might avoid the soft soil surrounding your plants and relieve themselves elsewhere. As an added treat, you may watch a cat play around amid the fragrant leaves and petals and enjoy its antics. There will be numerous photo chances!
Divisions, seed, or cuttings can all be used to start catnip plants. It expands quickly and faces little internal disease and pest problems. When growing catnip as a pest deterrent, place the plant close to the areas that require protection, in full light, and in soil that drains well. Catnip can become lanky, so pinch young plants early to encourage the growth of a thicker, bushier appearance.
To use the plant inside the house, cut the stems and hang them in a dry area outside upside down. Remove the herb leaves off the stems once they have dried. Crush some leaves and scatter them around your home’s doors, windows, and other entry points for little insects. The aroma can linger in the air for up to a week and will help keep numerous insect pests out of your house.