Nepeta, commonly known as Catmint, is a superb group of drought-tolerant, long-blooming perennials perfect for sunny borders, slopes, and edging. Forming billowy mounds of aromatic, often gray-green foliage, Catmint produces clouds of small, typically lavender-blue flowers from late spring through summer, attracting bees, butterflies, and sometimes hummingbirds. They are incredibly easy to grow, tolerant of heat and poor soil (as long as it drains well), deer resistant, and many varieties respond beautifully to shearing by reblooming prolifically. While related to Catnip (Nepeta cataria), garden Catmints often have a less intense effect on felines but are much more ornamental.

Common Types of Garden Nepeta

Most popular garden varieties are hybrids or selections:

• Nepeta x faassenii: The classic garden Catmint group, resulting from a cross between N. racemosa and N. nepetella. Sterile hybrids (don't self-seed). Gray-green foliage, lavender-blue flowers. Hardy Zones 3/4-8.

  • 'Walker's Low': Very popular, award-winning cultivar. Forms large, sprawling mounds (2-3 ft tall x 3+ ft wide) with profuse lavender-blue flowers. Despite the name, it's not particularly "low."
  • 'Select Blue': Similar to 'Walker's Low' but perhaps slightly more upright.
  • 'Six Hills Giant': Even larger and more vigorous than 'Walker's Low'. Needs ample space.

• Nepeta racemosa: Lower-growing species.

  • 'Little Titch': Very dwarf selection (under 1 foot tall), forms neat mounds. Good for edging.
  • 'Blue Wonder': Compact habit, deep blue flowers.

• Nepeta subsessilis: Japanese Catmint. Different look with larger leaves and larger, more open blue flowers. Prefers more moisture and tolerates partial shade better than N. x faassenii types. Hardy Zones 4-8. ('Sweet Dreams' has pink flowers).

• Newer Hybrids: Many new introductions focus on more compact habits, different flower colors (white, pink), or earlier bloom. Examples: Cat's Pajamas®, 'Purrsian Blue', Whispurr™ Pink.

Planting Nepeta

These tough perennials establish easily in the right spot.

When to Plant

• Spring or Fall: Both work well.

Ideal Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun (6+ hours daily) is essential for best flowering, compact habit, and strongest aroma. Tolerates very light shade but may become leggy and flower less.
• Soil: CRITICAL: Requires well-draining soil. Tolerant of poor, rocky, or sandy soil. Intolerant of wet, heavy, or poorly drained conditions, especially in winter. Average to lean fertility is best.
• Spacing: Space according to mature width. 'Walker's Low' needs 3 feet+ spacing. Smaller types need 1-1.5 feet. Good air circulation is beneficial.

Planting Technique

Watering Nepeta

• Water regularly after planting until established.
• Once established, Nepeta is very drought-tolerant. Water deeply but infrequently, only during extended hot, dry periods.
• Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering, especially in poorly drained soil, can lead to root/crown rot.

Fertilizing Nepeta

• Not necessary or recommended. Catmint thrives in lean soil.
• Fertilizing often leads to overly lush, floppy growth with reduced flowering intensity.

Maintenance for Best Performance

Shearing After Bloom (Highly Recommended!)

• After the first major flush of flowers begins to fade (typically mid-summer), shear the entire plant back by about half to two-thirds.
• This removes spent flowers, tidies the plant (which can start to look leggy/floppy), and stimulates a strong flush of fresh foliage and repeat blooming later in the summer and into fall. Don't be timid!

Division

• Nepeta is long-lived and doesn't strictly require division for health.
• Divide clumps in spring or fall only if they become too large, the center opens up, or you wish to propagate. Dig up the clump and separate rooted sections.

Cleanup

• Cut back dead stems in late fall or early spring before new growth begins.

Cat Attraction

• Many, but not all, cats are attracted to the nepetalactone compound in Nepeta, similar to Catnip (Nepeta cataria).
• They may roll in the plants, chew on them, or flatten them. The effect is usually temporary and harmless to the cat.
• If cat damage is a concern, consider planting less attractive cultivars (scent can vary), using temporary barriers around young plants, or planting Catnip elsewhere as a decoy. Most garden Nepetas (N. x faassenii) have a milder effect than true Catnip.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Nepeta is remarkably trouble-free when sited correctly.

Floppy / Sprawling Growth

Symptoms and Management

Plant opens up from the center or stems fall over.

• Cause: Insufficient sun (needs full sun), overly rich soil, too much water or fertilizer. Also natural habit after first bloom flush before shearing.
• Solution: Ensure full sun and lean, well-drained soil. Avoid fertilizer. Water sparingly once established. Shear back hard after the first bloom flush to rejuvenate. Choose more compact varieties if space is limited.

Root Rot

Symptoms and Management

• Plant wilts, yellows, base may be mushy.
• Cause: Poor drainage, overwatering.
• Prevention: Plant in well-draining soil. Water infrequently. Avoid heavy winter mulch around crown.

Leaf Spot (Minor)

Symptoms and Management

• Occasional fungal spots may appear, especially in humid weather.
• Prevention/Control: Ensure good air circulation (spacing). Usually cosmetic and not requiring treatment. Shearing often removes affected foliage.

Conclusion

Nepeta (Catmint) is an indispensable perennial for sunny, dry locations, offering months of pollinator-attracting flowers, aromatic foliage, and remarkable toughness with minimal care. Its tolerance of heat, drought, and poor soil, combined with deer resistance, makes it a landscape problem-solver. Provide full sun, good drainage, avoid fertilizer, and give it a hard shear mid-season, and Catmint will reward you with a long season of cool color and buzzing activity.