Catmint
Nepeta × faassenii
Climate Match for your location
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A fragrant, bushy perennial with soft gray-green foliage and abundant lavender-blue flowers that bloom throughout summer. Attracts bees and butterflies while being extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
Why grow it
Catmint occupies a useful middle ground among pollinator-friendly perennials, offering more refined foliage and longer bloom windows than many Nepeta species while requiring less water than comparable ornamentals in its size class. It performs well in poor, alkaline soils where many garden perennials struggle, making it practical for difficult sites rather than purely decorative contexts. Unlike some mint relatives, it remains relatively compact and does not typically spread aggressively once established.
Watch out for
Plants may become leggy or decline if grown in consistently moist or heavily shaded locations, despite drought tolerance once rooted. Hard pruning after flowering encourages bushier growth but should be timed before late summer to allow recovery before dormancy, particularly in cold climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Central Asia and the Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A fragrant, bushy perennial with soft gray-green foliage and abundant lavender-blue flowers that bloom throughout summer. Attracts bees and butterflies while being extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Catmint grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Catmint occupies a useful middle ground among pollinator-friendly perennials, offering more refined foliage and longer bloom windows than many Nepeta species while requiring less water than comparable ornamentals in its size class. It performs well in poor, alkaline soils where many garden perennials struggle, making it practical for difficult sites rather than purely decorative contexts. Unlike some mint relatives, it remains relatively compact and does not typically spread aggressively once established.
Watch out for
Plants may become leggy or decline if grown in consistently moist or heavily shaded locations, despite drought tolerance once rooted. Hard pruning after flowering encourages bushier growth but should be timed before late summer to allow recovery before dormancy, particularly in cold climates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native Range
Central Asia and the Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
pH Range
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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