Is catnip and catmint the same thing?
It can be easy to mistake these two plants as simply different names for the same thing, but they are, in fact, different plants. Both are part of the mint family and both belong to the Nepeta genus – catnip is Nepeta cataria and catmint is Nepeta mussinii.
Is catnip related to mint?
Members of the mint species (Mentha spp.) and catnip (Nepeta cataria) share many family characteristics, along with specific qualities that make each an attractive addition to your garden. Both mint and catnip share the slightly squared stems and paired opposite leaves displayed by many members of the Lamiaceae family.
Does catnip actually make my cat high?
Yes, catnip does give cats a high, but the plant is not related to weed. Catnip is usually sold dried, and some products are mixed with other herbs and flowers, but the catnip plant itself is...
Is catnip like marijuana for cats?
While several cat owners out there think marijuana is just another form of catnip, it's true that there is a drastic difference. Catnip is a plant that comes from the mint family. The perennial herb has downy leaves, purple-spotted white flowers, and a pungent smell that makes cats go crazy when smelled and sleepy when eaten.
Can you substitute catnip for mint?
Catnip is much similar to mint in taste, but it is a bit weaker. When used in tea, it gives the tea a woodsy, almost grassy taste. In comparison to these, lemon balm has a strong lemony scent and citrusy taste.
Are catnip and mint related?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is native to Europe and a close relative of the mints (spearmint, peppermint, pennyroyal, etc). Many cats are attracted to the plant or dried herb and the smell can trigger strange behavior patterns.
What is the difference of catnip and mint?
Catnip and mint are herbs from the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Both herbs have strong aromatic scents that are attractive to humans, bees, and other insects, but catnip has a scent that is specifically appealing to cats and repulsive to deer.
Does catnip smell like mint?
Catnip is an actual plant. The plant features small, lavender flowers and jagged, heart-shaped leaves that smell faintly of mint.
Is mint toxic to cats?
Most mint plants contain essential oils which can cause negative responses if consumed in high quantities. Both catnip and catmint are types of mint that are safe to cats. Garden mint may cause gastrointestinal upset if too much is eaten.
Does mint plant keep cats away?
Strong-smelling herbs You can plant wildly fragrant herbs around your raised beds and most prized plantings, or grow them in containers so they're portable and easily moved when you have a new cat problem. Effective herbs to try include rosemary, thyme, mint, and lavender.
Do cats like regular mint?
Unfortunately, cats like mint plants as well as any mint-scented products. Cats like the smell of mint because it is close to the smell of catnip. If you have a mint herb in your garden, do not be surprised if it draws in any cat. Catnip comes from the mint family and shares similar characteristics with it.
What human drug is closest to catnip?
A human analog that causes similar effects [as catnip on cats], as in a comparable high, would be LSD or marijuana.
Is mint attractive to cats?
Yes, most cats will be curious and attracted to mint plants based on the plant's peppermint smell. While some strong herbal scents repel cats, they certainly are not afraid of all the plants in your garden. Make sure to keep your mint plants away from your cats to ensure they are not tempted to nibble on the leaves!
What does mint smell do to cats?
More smells cats hate include mint and strong mint-related odors, such as wintergreen and menthol. This may be for good reason, as ingesting mint and its relatives can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats.
Why do cats go crazy when they smell catnip?
The main ingredient in catnip is called nepetalactone, that stimulates certain brain chemicals related to mood and happiness. This sense of euphoria has been compared to that of a hallucinogenic drug on humans.
What plants are related to catnip?
There are some alternatives--plants such as silver vine, honeysuckle, and valerian have all been used to satisfy the feline sense of smell. Surprisingly, silver vine is the most effective of these plants, as more cats respond to its smell than even catnip.
What herbs are in the catnip family?
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China.
Is catmint a member of the mint family?
The catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae or Labiatae). It's a perennial with two-lipped blue or blue-violet flowers that blooms from spring through fall.
Which is better for cats: catmint or catnip?
If you are looking for a plant to grow purely for the enjoyment of your cats, go with catnip, but if you want a prettier perennial with ongoing blooms, catmint is the better choice. Printer Friendly Version.
Do Cats Want Catmint or Catnip?
For gardeners with cats, the main difference between catmint and catnip is that only the latter will stimulate cats and make them go crazy. Catnip leaves contain a compound called nepetalactone. This is what cats love and what induces them to eat the leaves that give them a euphoric high. Nepetalactone also repels insects, so it’s not bad to have around the house.
Is catmint a perennial?
Catnip has a weedier appearance, while catmint is often used as a pretty, flowering perennial in beds. Catmint flowers more continuously than catnip. Catnip flowers are typically white. Catmint flowers are lavender. Some people harvest catmint leaves to use as a culinary herb similar to mint.
Is catnip the same as catmint?
It can be easy to mistake these two plants as simply different names for the same thing, but they are, in fact, different plants. Both are part of the mint family and both belong to the Nepeta genus – catnip is Nepeta cataria and catmint is Nepeta mussinii.
Is catnip bad for cats?
This is what cats love and what induces them to eat the leaves that give them a euphoric high. Nepetalactone also repels insects, so it’s not bad to have around the house. Some people report that their cats show some interest in catmint.
What is the name of the plant that produces essential oils?
The name of several aromatic labiate plants, mostly of the genus Mentha, yielding odoriferous essential oils by distillation. See Mentha.
Why is catnip called catnip?
It is so called because cats have a peculiar fondness for it.
What is a plant with square stems called?
Any plant in the genus Mentha in the family Lamiaceae, typically aromatic with square stems.
What is catmint used for?
In addition to its uses with cats, catnip is a popular ingredient in herbal teas (or tisanes), and is valued for its sedative and relaxant properties. Wikipedia.
What does mint mean in trading?
A large quantity of money; as, to make a mint in stock trading.
What family is mint in?
Any plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Where is Nepeta cataria native to?
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America.
Can cats eat catmint?
You probably already know that it’s safe for feline furkids to eat catnip, but what about catmint? While many of the plants in the mint family are toxic for cats, that’s usually only the case when they’re consumed in large quantities, and the good news is that catmint is perfectly safe.
What is the winner of catmint vs catnip?
When it comes to catmint vs catnip, there’s only one member of this family that reigns supreme as far as your kitty is concerned and the winner is… catnip! Whether it’s catnip toys or fresh catnip, most furkids can’t get enough of the heavenly green stuff.
Why is catmint used in cooking?
Catmint flowers more continuously than catnip and the leaves are often harvested for use in cooking because of their similar taste to mint. Unlike catmint, catnip is often used as a remedy for fevers, colds, cramps, and migraines, and can be turned into catnip tea for cats or humans.
What happens if my cat eats catnip?
If your cat goes crazy after eating catnip and starts running around, excessively licking or chewing, shaking their head, rubbing, rolling, and salivating all over the place, don’t be alarmed – all of those behaviors are well documented side effects of being exposed to nepetalactone.
Is catmint poisonous to cats?
It’s unlikely you’ll find your kitty nibbling away on any catmint you have growing in your garden but if you do, rest assured it’s non-toxic so it won’t do them any harm. Catnip on the other hand is worth paying more attention to.
Is catmint safe for cats?
You probably already know that it’s safe for feline furkids to eat catnip, but what about catmint? While many of the plants in the mint family are toxic for cats, that’s usually only the case when they’re consumed in large quantities, and the good news is that catmint is perfectly safe.
Does catmint have nepetalactone?
While catmint also contains nepetalactone, it’s present in much smaller amounts, and although some kitties may still find catmint interesting, it’s unlikely to have the same enthralling effect as catnip.
How tall is a catmint plant?
In terms of plant height, the most common Catnip varieties are 2 to 3 ft tall, whereas the Catmint varieties vary in height from 1 to 4 ft depending upon the specific variety. To compare common varieties see the table below, there is also additional detail including photos of the individual varieties available at www.gardenia.net.
What is the difference between catmint and catnip?
In terms of flowers, Catnip usually has white flowers, whereas the most popular forms of Catmint have a purple-colored flower. However, there are catmints that also have white, pink, and even yellow varieties, though the yellow form is not common.
Where did catnip originate?
As mentioned as Catnip ( Nepeta cataria) is a member of the Nepeta genus which is in the Lamiaceae family (mint). The precise origins of the plant are not known though it grows naturally in several parts of both Europe and Asia. However, it wasn’t until the 1800s that the plant was brought to the Americas. The plant proved to be popular with the Native American population who began incorporating the plant into their foods and medicines.
How long does it take for a cat to become immune to Nepetalactone?
The impact of this chemical will only last around 15 minutes or so before the cats become immune to its effects.
Where does catnip come from?
The origin of the plant is not known other than it grows naturally in Europe and Asia. The plant leaves can be used in herbal teas like the catmint, but the plant does not possess the insect repellent qualities of catnip due to the lack of Nepetalactone in the leaves.
Why do cats get high?
The effects are temporary because the receptors in the body that detect the chemical become blocked by the chemical itself preventing the further release of endorphins.
How long does immunity last in cats?
This immunity typically lasts for around an hour before the cats are again susceptible to its effects. However, it is important to note that not all cats are affected, kittens are immune to its effects along with 3 out of 10 adult cats which possess a genetic variation that prevents the animals from being affected according to New Scientist.
Catnip
The invasive plant that grows in areas with well-drained soils and full sun is catnip (Nepeta cataria). It’s the species that the pet industry uses to make toys and other products with its distinctive, pungent scent. Manufacturers also use it for essential oils, teas, dietary supplements, and a host of other uses.
Catmint
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. Catmint is both a wild plant and a cultivated variety for gardens and landscaping. The latter explains why it’s hard to pinpoint what it is exactly. That’s because many species of this genus also share the property of alluring cats, hence, the name. The same thing applies to the word catnip.
Similarities Between Catnip and Catmint
The similarities between catnip and catmint start with its taxonomy. They are part of the Lamiaceae or Mint family. That may explain the use of this word with the latter. It also refers to the fact that many of these species are aromatic. It’s part of their attraction to bees, hummingbirds, and felines.
Differences Between Catnip and Catmint
The origins are at the forefront of the differences between catnip and catmint. Catnip, as we know it here in the United States, exists in the wild and has so for centuries. Catmint, in the cultivated sense, is a more recent addition to the botanical side. Many of the species of the genus exist overseas.
Final Thoughts
Catmint and catnip share many common things. They are synonyms of the same plant. Both terms are part of the names of many species of this genus. Either one isn’t definitive of anything particular. Instead, they are descriptive terms that refer more to their affinity with cats than anything else.
Difference Between Catnip and Catmint
It is true that catnip and species commonly known as catmint have quite a lot in common. They are low maintenance perennials that grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, and thrive in full to part sun.
Where to Buy
When purchasing plants or seeds, be sure to check for the botanical name to make sure you have the right species.
