- 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. ...
- Don’t bother to fertilize it. ...
- Shear the plants back by a third or more after their first flush of bloom is past. ...
How do you get catmint to bloom more?
A lean soil and somewhat dry growing conditions will encourage both more flowers and a stronger scent. Too much fertilizer will only make the plant grow lots of flimsy foliage. As with most plants, the mature size of catmint depends on the variety you are growing.
What does catmint plant look like?
Catmint Plant Profile Botanical Name Nepeta spp. Bloom Time Late spring, summer Flower Color Blue, white, pink Hardiness Zones 4 to 8 (USDA) Native Area Europe, Asia, Africa 7 more rows ...
Should I fertilize my catmint?
Given the right growing conditions, catmint is unlikely to need fertilizing, and applying it can even result in floppy stems and fewer flowers. Some plants may go into a summer lull after the first flush of blooms has faded. Shearing your plants back by a third or more will reenergize them for a second bloom cycle and produce lush new foliage.
Do catmint plants come back every year?
Catnip is relatively cold-hardy and grows well in zones 3 to 9. Most catmints will repeat-bloom if they are sheared back after their initial flowering. Some won’t provide much of a second show, but their foliage will be refreshed and tidied by the shearing. Catmint plants will continue to grow and bloom well for years.
Does catmint need to be cut back?
You can expect masses of violet to dusky-sky blue flowers from mid-spring through fall with very little irrigation. If the plant starts looking bloomed out or tired during the summer, prune it back to 6 inches and wait a week.
How do you maintain catmint?
Leave spent foliage in place over winter to help protect the crown. Wait until early spring to cut it back. To keep catmint vigorous, divide it every three to four years in either spring or early fall. Keep it well watered the first growing season until the plants become established.
Does catmint come back every year?
The wonderful thing about perennial plants is that they usually return to the garden year after year, and catmint plants are no exception. Generally perennials don't bloom as profusely as some of the annual flowering plants in the garden.
Is catmint easy to maintain?
Basic care of catmint is easy. Water catmint plants regularly until they become well established. Mulch will help retain moisture and keep down weeds. Once plants are a few inches (8 cm.)
Should I cut back catmint after flowering?
Cutting Back Catmint in Summer After the first bloom, taller plants can flop over and become unkempt. This is a great time to shear your plant and encourage a second flush of flowers. Use a pair of disinfected pruning shears to create a tidy mound, trimming as much as half the plant's height if needed.
How do I stop catmint from flopping?
0:191:05How to Keep Plants from Falling Open in the Center - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you just pinch off those tips and it sends all the growth hormones down into the rest of theMoreSo you just pinch off those tips and it sends all the growth hormones down into the rest of the plant where it triggers new branches.
Should you deadhead catmint?
0:001:31Deadheading Catmint (Nepeta) to Extend Bloom - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you just work your way around the shrub. And deadhead all those spent flowers. In another twoMoreAnd if you just work your way around the shrub. And deadhead all those spent flowers. In another two or three weeks you'll have a second flush of bloom.
How do you prune catmint for winter?
Catmint can be pruned back 2 times a year. Once in the late fall or early spring, cut all of the dead foliage and stems to within 4-6 inches of the ground. This is the cleanup pruning that will prepare Catmint for vigorous regrowth the next growing season.
What to do with catmint after flowering?
Flowers are produced over a long period, but it's a good idea to trim them back after blooming to keep the plant neat and to encourage more to form. Once growth dies back in late autumn, cut back the dead stems before new growth appears in spring.
Does catmint survive winter?
Catmint is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that needs very little extra care or maintenance during the winter. This plant goes dormant and will die back completely in the coldest of the hardiness zones. Catmint may stay semi-evergreen in warmer climates. The plant still goes dormant, but for a shorter period of time.
Is catmint frost hardy?
Catnip has similar growing and care needs to other catmint plants and matures at two to four feet tall and two to three feet wide. It blooms from May to September and has white flowers spotted with pale purple. Catnip is relatively cold-hardy and grows well in USDA cold hardiness zones 3 to 9.
Does catmint spread quickly?
Catmints are fast-growing plants. When they first begin in spring, they form tidy little mounds of neat new foliage. This quickly grows outward as plants begin to set their buds for their flower show. One of the most common varieties grown is called 'Walker's Low.
What to do with catmint after flowering?
Flowers are produced over a long period, but it's a good idea to trim them back after blooming to keep the plant neat and to encourage more to form. Once growth dies back in late autumn, cut back the dead stems before new growth appears in spring.
How do you prune catmint after flowering?
Once the herb flowers, catnip tends to look downright scraggly. Cutting back catnip will restore the plant. Prune after the first round of blooming to encourage a second flowering prior to winter. Then, after the first frost, you can cut the plants down to 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm.)
Does catmint dieback in winter?
Catmint is a hardy, herbaceous perennial that needs very little extra care or maintenance during the winter. This plant goes dormant and will die back completely in the coldest of the hardiness zones. Catmint may stay semi-evergreen in warmer climates.
How do you prune catmint in spring?
0:424:18How to Cut Back Catmint in Spring - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo when you cut this back the best thing to do is just come in and cut back these brown stems asMoreSo when you cut this back the best thing to do is just come in and cut back these brown stems as close to the ground as possible without cutting the new stems that are growing this year.
How big do catmints get?
Most catmints are floppy, bushy plants that mature at about 10 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 24 inches wide. However, there are some varieties that are more compact, and there are others that will grow 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
What is the best catmint for cats?
Catnip ( Nepeta cataria) is a type of catmint and is arguably the best-known species in the Nepeta genus, at least among home gardeners. It's not the only type of catmint that makes cats loopy, but it's your best bet if that's your goal. Catnip has similar growing and care needs to other catmint plants and matures at 2 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It blooms from May to September and has white flowers spotted with pale purple. Catnip is relatively cold-hardy and grows well in zones 3 to 9.
How big does a six hills giant catmint grow?
'Six Hills Giant’ Nepeta x faassenii is one of the tallest-growing Nepetas and has lavender-blue flowers. It grows up to 36 inches tall and 30 inches wide, so be sure to give it plenty of room in your garden. Nepeta subsessilis ‘Sweet Dreams' features pink flowers with burgundy bracts.
What is a catmint plant?
Landscape Uses for Catmint. Catmint is a classic choice for planting under roses. The pale colors of catmint complement most roses, and the soft, frilly foliage hides the ugly "knees" of the rose bush. Catmint is also a wonderful plant for edging, where it softens hard lines.
What flowers pair well with catmint?
Catmint plants will gracefully spill over walls and walkways and are great for providing contrast to spiky plants like iris and yucca. The pastel blues of many catmint flowers pair well with pink and yellow flowers, such as those of daylilies and yarrow ( Achillea ).
How big does Sweet Dreams grow?
It grows up to 36 inches tall and 30 inches wide, so be sure to give it plenty of room in your garden. Nepeta subsessilis ‘Sweet Dreams' features pink flowers with burgundy bracts. This variety likes a bit more water than most Nepetas. It grows to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
What color is Nepeta?
Nepeta has slightly aromatic gray-green foliage with a delicate, lacy appearance. Its billowing foliage is topped with spikes of flowers in early summer, with repeat blooms throughout the season. The flowers can be white, pink, or lavender-blue.
When does catmint bloom?
Dense and colorful flowers cover this catmint from early summer until fall. Its strong growth does not flop and grows to a broad mound throughout the growing season.
When do plants go into a lull?
Some plants may go into a summer lull after the first flush of blooms has faded. Shearing your plants back by a third or more will reenergize them for a second bloom cycle and produce lush new foliage. Even without being sheared, they will often repeat bloom, although not quite as prolifically.
What is the best herb to use for house cats?
White with purple spotted flowers bloom in clusters at the end of stems from late spring into summer. Its leaves have been used for many years as a medicinal herb and is loved by housecats. Catnip also acts as a repellent for many garden pests including aphids and squash bugs.
Is catnip a weed?
Catnip ( Nepeta cataria) is more aromatic than catmint. Its ornamental attributes are lacking and it tends to be weedy and invasive. In the garden, it offers the most value as a culinary herb or as a repellant for certain insects, including mosquitoes, aphids and squash bugs.
Can catmints grow in 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. Wet or soggy sites can lead to root rot.
Is catmint a good plant?
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails plant that will bloom for months on end with very little pampering, catmint is sure to make you purr with delight. Unlike its close relative catnip (both are members of the mint family), catmint is better behaved and much showier. The soft gray-green foliage and billowy clusters of lavender-blue flowers are ...
What color is catmint?
Because catmint tends to come in soft colors, generally blue/purple blooms on top of cool grey-green, this plant is easy to pair with other perennials and annuals without clashing. The bloom show tends to reach its peak color just as most of the spring bulbs are finishing and before many of your summer perennials begin to bloom, easily filling in some color during that green season. They are also a wonderful source of nectar for many pollinators.
How do catmints grow?
This quickly grows outward as plants begin to set their buds for their flower show. One of the most common varieties grown is called 'Walker's Low.' However, don't be fooled by the name—this is by no means a low plant. These plants quickly reach their full height of around 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Once their flowering spectacle is complete, many of the catmints become leggy and flop open. If this is the case, you can easily remedy that by giving the plants a good cutback. This will encourage a nice new flush of growth, as well as a second round of flowers if you are lucky.
How big do Japanese catmints get?
Nepeta × subsessilis bears the largest flower clusters of any catmint. Bloom spikes may be 8 inches long and 3 inches wide on plants that grow up to 4 feet tall. Sturdy stems keep the plant from requiring staking or shearing to maintain their strong upright habit.
How tall are Walker's low catmints?
One of the most common varieties grown is called 'Walker's Low.'. However, don't be fooled by the name—this is by no means a low plant. These plants quickly reach their full height of around 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Once their flowering spectacle is complete, many of the catmints become leggy and flop open.
When does Persian catmint bloom?
Persian Catmint. Nepeta mussinii is a low-growing species that remains under a foot tall with a spread up to 18 inches wide. It's the first catmint to begin blooming in spring, and although it slows down in the heat of summer, it blooms almost constantly until hard freezes arrive in fall.
What is the compound in catnip?
The common catnip is actually a close relative called Nepeta cataria. This catnip produces a compound called nepetalactone, which triggers the response in cats that we all know and love. Many other species of nepeta also produce this compound but in much smaller doses.
Can catmint be sheared back?
Blooms of colorful catmint can also hold on for quite some time. Much like its closely related salvias, plants can also be sheared back after the initial wave of blooms in order to encourage a second round of color.
What Is Catmint?
The Nepeta genus includes 250 species of herbaceous perennials as well as a few annuals, with about 20 of these species and cultivars currently in cultivation.
Why do catmint plants die?
Caused by a number of different pathogens, root rot can cause roots to soften and darken, ultimately causing stems to weaken, and plants to die.
What is a faassenii catmint?
N. x faassenii, an N. racemosa hybrid also known as Faassen’s catmint, is a compact mounding hybrid with small but attractive lavender flowers. It is also grown primarily for its ornamental value. You can learn more about how to grow Faassen’s catmint in our guide.
How to cut a plant away from the rest of the plant?
Find a section of an established plant with a healthy and mature root system, slice vertically with a garden spade to cut it away from the rest of the plant, and carefully dig it up.
When to pick flowers and leaves for harvest?
To harvest, pick the leaves and flowers while plants are blooming during midsummer.
What is catnip used for?
Though to make matters confusing, the common names “catnip” and “catmint” are used to refer to multiple species. N. cataria, commonly known as catnip, catwort, or catmint, is a traditional medicinal herb and the one we typically use to intoxicate our cats, though others in the genus may be attractive to felines as well.
Where does catmint come from?
Catmint originates from Northern Hemisphere countries and there are a number of different species and varieties of Nepeta that are all referred to as catmint. The term ‘catnip’ refers to the species Nepeta cataria, and while this is said to be the most aromatic catmint, it isn’t as ornamental as other varieties.
What is the name of the plant that attracts cats?
Catmint ( Nepeta) is an attractive, hardy and easy-to-grow flowering perennial, renowned for its aromatic foliage which tends to attract cats, hence its name. Its aromatic leaves are green or grey-green and its stems are clothed from summer to autumn in small two-lipped mauve or blue flowers.
What is the height of a catnip?
Said to have the most aromatic foliage, although doesn’t flower as freely as many other varieties. Height x Spread: 90cm x 60cm
Can catmint grow in shade?
Catmint is generally trouble-free given the right growing conditions, but plants rarely thrive if the ground is heavy and poorly drained, or if in shade. In very dry summers, powdery mildew may occur as a white coating on the leaves and stems sometimes die back.
Can cats eat catmint leaves?
Cats can safely nibble and eat catmint leaves, stems and flowers – indeed many cat toys are stuffed with dried catmint leaves. Some cats love it so much they roll around and sleep on the plants.
Do catmints like free draining soil?
Catmints do best in free-draining soil. Make sure you can give them the growing conditions they need, before buying. Check the plants over to make sure they’re healthy and have no signs of pests or disease. Choose from a variety of catmints, with different heights and spreads, and flower colour.
Do catmints need a lot of soil?
Catmint needs a sunny position and must have soil that drains freely, so avoid heavy soil such as clay which is prone to becoming waterlogged. Most catmints are tolerant of drought, particularly those with silvery-grey leaves. Catmints are generally fairly low growing and ideal to plant near the front of a border, close to a path or in a raised bed, to spill out and soften the edges. The low spreading growth and soft colour makes catmint ideal for underplanting rose bushes and it looks especially striking planted in groups or in long drifts.