Catmint is a soft, romantic, hard-working perennial that earns its place in almost any sunny garden.
Coming soon. Subscribe to the newsletter to get notified when this video drops.
Catmint is a soft, romantic, hard-working perennial that earns its place in almost any sunny garden. It forms billowing, cloud-like mounds of small grey-green aromatic leaves, smothered for months in a haze of lavender-blue (sometimes pink or white) flowers. It is one of the easiest, toughest, and most pollinator-friendly plants there is — drought-proof, undemanding, long-flowering, and largely pest-free. Catmint is a brilliant border filler and edging plant, and a classic companion to roses. Its one quirk is in the name: many cats are drawn to it and may roll, chew, and flatten it — usually charming, occasionally a nuisance.
Nepeta is a genus in the mint family, native to sunny, dry regions across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Garden catmints grow wild on dry hillsides, rocky slopes, and open grassland in well-drained, often poor soil. This sun-loving, drought-adapted origin is the basis of its care — and, like other mint relatives, its aromatic foliage helps it resist heat, drought, and grazing. The true catnip beloved by cats is a close relative, Nepeta cataria; the popular ornamental garden catmints (such as Nepeta x faassenii and 'Six Hills Giant') attract cats to varying, usually milder, degrees.
Catmint is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial, generally 25–90 cm tall depending on the variety, forming a loose, spreading, billowing mound. The small leaves are soft, grey-green, slightly downy, and aromatic when brushed. From late spring through summer (and often into autumn) the plant is covered in slender spikes of small, tubular, two-lipped flowers in soft lavender-blue — the overall effect a gentle, smoky haze. Compact varieties make tidy edging; large ones like 'Six Hills Giant' form generous flowing masses.
Full sun for the best flowering and the most compact, sturdy growth. Catmint tolerates light shade but becomes floppier and flowers less there. Good air movement suits it.
Well-drained soil — light, even poor or gritty soil is ideal. Catmint dislikes heavy, wet ground; rich soil produces lush, floppy growth. It is a plant that genuinely prefers lean conditions.
Water while establishing; thereafter catmint is highly drought-tolerant and rarely needs watering in the ground.
Do not feed, or feed very sparingly — rich conditions make catmint flop and produce fewer flowers. A poor diet keeps it tidy and floriferous.
The key technique: after the first big flush of flowers begins to fade and the plant looks tired or sprawling, cut the whole plant back hard — by about a half to two-thirds. It looks drastic, but catmint responds with a flush of fresh foliage and a strong second wave of flowers, keeping it neat and blooming into autumn.
Most garden catmints are reliably hardy, commonly to around USDA zone 4–5, and need no winter protection. They die back over winter; cut down old growth in late autumn or early spring.
Plant in spring or autumn in full sun and well-drained soil. Propagate easily by division in spring, or from softwood cuttings in early summer. Some catmints self-seed gently; sterile hybrids like N. x faassenii do not, staying well-behaved.
Catmint is regarded as non-toxic and safe for cats, dogs, horses, and humans — it is not a poisoning hazard. On the contrary, it is famously attractive to cats: many cats enjoy rolling in and nibbling it, which is a pleasurable, harmless effect rather than a danger. Catmint is an excellent, safe choice for family, pet, and wildlife gardens, with outstanding pollinator value.
Pros
Cons
Not ideal for deep shade, heavy wet soil, crisp formal layouts, or gardeners who want a tidy plant but won't do the mid-season cut-back.
Why is my catmint flopping open in the middle? Usually too much shade, soil that is too rich, or — most often — you skipped the mid-season cut-back. After the first flush fades, cut the whole plant back hard by half or more; it will regrow neat and flower again.
How do I get catmint to flower twice? Use the "Chelsea chop": when the first big flush of flowers fades, cut the whole plant back hard. It responds with fresh foliage and a strong second wave of bloom that carries on into autumn.
Will catmint attract cats to my garden? It can. Catmint is related to catnip, and many cats are drawn to it — rolling in it and nibbling it. This is harmless to the cats and usually to the plant, though enthusiastic cats can flatten a prized specimen.
Is catmint safe for pets? Yes — catmint is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. For cats it is an enjoyable, harmless plant rather than a hazard.
Is catmint good for bees? Excellent — it is one of the best pollinator plants you can grow, covered in bees and butterflies throughout its long flowering season.