Catmint Herb How To Grow Catmint

Plant catmint in full or part sun in well-drained, humus-rich, compost amended soil. If growing in warmer parts of our region, plant where it will have afternoon shade. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart in the garden. Keep first year plants well watered.

How do you grow catmint?

Give catmint plenty of space as it tends to grow wider than tall. Although it prefers full sun, catmint will thrive with some afternoon shade. Keep new plants or transplants watered until they can fend for themselves. After that, established plantings are drought and heat tolerant.

How quickly does catmint grow?

Catmint grows from 12 inches tall to 36 inches tall, depending on the variety. In one season, it can spread up to 3 feet so give it plenty of space and divide it every three to four years.

Does catmint like sun or shade?

Although most prefer full sun, they won't mind a bit of afternoon shade, especially when grown in hot climates. Catmint will grow in just about any type of well-drained soil.

Is catmint an invasive plant?

The true catmint species described above is a big invasive plant. It reaches three feet tall, producing sparse white flowers. ... To absolutely prevent self sowing simply deadhead the blossoms once they are spent before seed can form. The most outstanding form is Six Hills Giant, which stands 3 feet tall.

Does catmint spread fast?

Catmint has few pests and the seeds are sterile so it doesn't spread by self-sowing. Catmint is a classic cottage garden plant that often accompanies peonies, roses, coreopsis, and delphiniums. Because of its spreading nature, it's a great filler plant to provide color and green foliage between later blooming flowers.

What can I plant next to catmint?

Try growing catmint plant companions such as verbena, agastache, lavender, and tufted hairgrass together. Plant a striking border of catmint along with irises and Siberian spurge, or accent the aforementioned rose and catmint combo with a pop of color from yarrow.

Does catmint need a lot of water?

Give newly planted catmint about 1 inch of water each week during its first growing season. Once established, these drought-tolerant plants need watering only about once every three weeks. Irrigate the soil until the roots are moistened, but avoid overwatering because this plant really hates having wet feet.

Is catmint toxic to dogs?

There is no harm in allowing dogs in catnip plants as long as you don't expect them to go into raptures. While your dogs will not react to catnip like your cats do, the herb offers canines benefits too.

Is catmint the same as catnip?

Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) is similar to catnip, but does not stimulate cats. It is a low-growing mounded plant with attractive, gray-green foliage. It's profuse blue flowers appear in early summer and again through the monsoon season. It is heat and drought tolerant once established.

Is catmint the same as lavender?

Although there are some differences among species, most species of lavender have narrow, dark green to gray-green leaves. Catmint's heart-shaped, gray-green leaves have a scalloped edge. Catmint begins blooming in late spring and continues through early summer. Lavender blooms appear from early through midsummer.

Will deer eat catmint?

The fuzzy, fragrant foliage of catmint is detested by deer. 'Cat's Meow' is a lower maintenance selection that is prized for its naturally neat, dense habit that won't need trimming to keep it in bounds like older varieties. It is very easy to grow in zones 3-8 in full sun and well-drained soil.

Can I eat catmint?

This plant is edible for humans and it even has some medicinal benefits. The leaves and flowers can be steeped to make tea. Catmint herbal tea has a mild minty taste and a sweet fragrance. ... Alternatively, you can also eat the leaves.

Do bees like catmint?

Nepeta produces long lasting flower spikes that are highly appealing to honey bees. They are members of the mint family and do best in sunny locations with moderate water requirements and also show good drought tolerance once established.

Can you plant catmint in pots?

Overcrowded plants can lead to powdery mildew or leaf spot, especially in hot, humid climates. Caution is needed when planting some types of catmint plants, as they can be aggressive growers. Therefore, you may want to add some edging around them. Likewise, catmint can be planted and grown in containers.

Does catmint smell like mint?

They smell, in my opinion, almost exactly like a cross between catnip and peppermint, with catnip being the dominant scent but also a very peppermint-like smell coming along with it. The leaves are not hairy, and sort of resemble some type of basil in both shape and texture.

What is the best catmint?

Nepeta 'Select Blue' (Select Blue Catmint) is a fantastic xeric perennial with dramatic lavender-blue flowers and handsome gray-green foliage. A recurrent bloomer, the first flush of flowers comes in late spring, and again later in summer. A long-lived, easily grown perennial, this is an excellent plant for beginners.

Should catmint be pruned?

Catmint (Nepeta)

Luckily, catmint can be pruned back heavily any time of the year. In the fall, you can cut these back to as low as a few inches from the ground, but you'll have a hole in your garden until they flush back in the spring.

Does catmint make cats high?

Nepeta faassenii, commonly called catmint, often proves as much of an aphrodisiac to cats as its better-known species mate.

Can I divide catmint?

Catmint (Nepeta x fassenii 'Walker's Low) is easy to divide – every little piece with roots that breaks off can grow.

What can I plant with low catmint walkers?

A rugged, easy-to-grow addition to any xeriscape, Walker's Low Catmint makes a fine companion plant to silver-leaved Artemisia or Blue Avena Grass (Helictotrichon).