The genus name, from Latin nepeta (“catnip”), is reportedly in reference to Nepete, an ancient Etruscan city. Nepeta is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. Catmint has been known to repel mosquitoes, aphids, squash bugs, and other pests.For other uses, see Nepeta (disambiguation). Thrips can be a nuisance, but they can be controlled with insecticidal soap. It may, however, help in the development of new flowers. Even if they are not clipped, they will frequently bloom again, albeit not as prolifically.īecause hybrid seeds are sterile, deadheading isn’t required to keep them from self-sowing. Shearing your plants by a third or more of their original height will reenergize them and produce lush new foliage for a second bloom cycle. PruningĬertain plants may undergo a summer downturn after the initial flush of flowers fades. FertilizationĬatmint does not require fertilizing if grown properly and doing so may result in floppy stems and fewer blooms. They will only require little watering after that. Water new plants or transplants on a regular basis during the first growing season until they get established. As a result, you might want to give them some edging. Some catmint plant species should be planted with caution since they can be aggressive growers. Powdery mildew or leaf spot can appear on overcrowded plants, especially in hot, humid climates.
Young plants require plenty of space and should be separated by at least a foot (31 cm). The best time to plant your catmint is in the spring. Catmint also flowers for a longer time than catnip, and while catnip flowers are typically white, catmint flowers are purple.
In contrast to catmint, which is a gorgeous, blooming perennial in beds, catnip has a weedier appearance. It contains a chemical called nepetalactone, which can cause feelings of euphoria in our feline friends. Despite their close resemblance, catnip is more aromatic and has less ornamental appeal than catmint.Ĭatnip is a plant that attracts cats. CatnipĬatmint is frequently confused with catnip ( Nepeta cataria). With warmer temperatures, it will frequently stop flowering for a spell in mid-summer, only to resume in early autumn, especially if aggressively pruned.Ĭatmint blossoms will attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. It blooms in late spring and early summer. The plant can grow to be 3 feet tall, but it likes to sprawl, producing a grey-green ground cover. Violet, trumpet-shaped clusters of blossoms and grey-green leaves with a strong mint aroma are the most distinguishing characteristics of the cool-weather-loving catmint. In addition to fragrant foliage, these plants have two-lipped blossoms, square stems, and opposing leaves. Lavender, rosemary, thyme, bee balm, and giant hyssop all belong to the same plant family as catmint-the mint family ( Lamiaceae). Looking back over the years, I’m glad I chose this purple flowering plant in my garden. After extensive research, I determined that catmint was the ideal plant for me.
When I first started my garden, I wanted something beautiful, long-blooming, pest resistant, easy to grow, and perennial.
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