Long-lasting color, no-fuss care - what’s not to love?

Looking for a garden perennial that blooms for months, shrugs off drought, and brings in the pollinators? Meet catmint (Nepeta), a standout member of the mint family that’s anything but ordinary.

With waves of colorful flowers from spring through late summer, catmint is a low-maintenance powerhouse for sunny borders, pollinator gardens, and cottage-style landscapes in zones 3-8. Don’t know your zone? Look it up on the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

While the Nepeta genus includes several species (yes, including catnip), it’s the ever-expanding lineup of Nepeta hybrids, including the beloved ‘Walker’s Low’, that have made catmint a staple in modern gardens. New cultivars continue to debut, offering fresh options in size, shape, and flower color to suit just about any design.

Catmint’s soft, aromatic, silvery-green foliage keeps the plant looking lovely even when it’s not in bloom. When the flowers do arrive, they appear in airy spikes of small, tubular blossoms - mostly in shades of purple, though newer cultivars are now available in white and soft pink.

This long-blooming display draws in bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by the dozen. Beyond its beauty, catmint is impressively tough: it’s rabbit and deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, and adaptable to a range of soil types (including clay), as long as the soil is well-draining.

Whether you’re designing a pollinator haven, filling gaps in a sunny border, or just want a beautiful plant that blooms like crazy with minimal fuss, catmint delivers.

Worried about the neighborhood cats moving in? Keep reading to explore more, including how to grow catmint, standout varieties, planting companion ideas, and settle the great Catmint vs Catnip debate once and for all.

catmint (nepeta) growing in landscape next to sidewalk and grass — **Catmint (*Nepeta*) is a popular plant with landscapers because it’s easy to grow and drought-tolerant.**

When to Plant Catnip

The best time to plant catmint is in the spring or fall, when temperatures are milder and the plant can settle in and develop a healthy root system before hot or cold weather sets in.

Spring planting gives the plant a full growing season to get established before winter, while fall planting takes advantage of cooler weather to reduce transplant stress.

Either season works well, just be sure to avoid planting during the peak heat of summer or when the ground is frozen.

It’s important to water newly planted catmint deeply and consistently for the rest of the season to help the roots establish and ensure healthy growth, even for tough, drought-tolerant plants like this one. Read “How to Water Your Plants: The Ultimate Guide” for help with watering strategies.

catmint (nepeta) plant covered with purple flowers growing in a landscape — **Kitten Around Catmint (*Nepeta faassenii* ‘Kitten Around’).** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

How to Grow Catmint

Location: Catmint thrives in full sun and can handle a bit of afternoon shade. It grows best in sandy or loamy soils and will tolerate clay, but good drainage is absolutely essential. Avoid planting catmint in a wet, soggy site - constant moisture around the roots quickly leads to rot. If you have a sunny location with wet soil and are looking for a flowering plant, try swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) instead.
Cultivar: Catmint comes in a variety of different sizes, shapes, and flower/leaf colors. Choose the catmint variety that suits your gardening goals - read on for a list of popular cultivars to get some ideas.
Watering: Water newly planted catmint regularly to help establish the roots. Once established, catmint is drought-tolerant. Are you in a drought? Check the U.S. Drought Monitor Map.
Mulch: Apply a layer of mulch around catmint to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilizer: Catmint does not require supplemental fertilization, it can lead to reduced flowering or flopping plants. A thin layer of compost, applied in early spring, is sufficient and will enrich the soil structure and support plant health.
Pruning: After the first flush of spring flowers, use sharp pruning shears to cut back the entire plant by about one-third to promote reblooming and bushier growth. You can also selectively prune specific stems or branches to shape the plant, if needed.
Pests and Diseases: Catmint is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, and can occasionally be bothered by aphids or spider mites. Overwatering and wet soil are the most frequent causes of problems with catmint and will cause the yellowing leaves and brown-black, rotting stems.

closeup of small tubular flowers of catmint (nepeta) growing near a street and crosswalk — **Catmint (*Nepeta*) has small, tubular flowers and silvery green leaves.**

How Do You Keep Catmint Blooming? Does Catmint Need to be Cut Back?

Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers by deadheading. This process involves cutting or pinching off the faded blooms. Deadheading prevents the plant from setting seed, redirecting its energy toward producing new flowers.
Pruning: When the first flush of spring flowers begin to fade, give catmint a light shearing or pruning and cut back the entire plant by about one-third. This will stimulate new growth and encourage a second round of blooming.
Dividing: Every few years, consider dividing mature catmint plants. This helps to rejuvenate the plant and can also promote increased flowering. Divide the plant in early spring or fall.

Is Catmint Deer-Resistant?

Yes, catmint (Nepeta) is deer-resistant, with pungent, aromatic foliage that deer find unappealing.

Rutgers University rates catmint as “rarely damaged” on their List of Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance. That’s the highest rating on their scale, yay!

But before you get too excited, however, no plant is truly deer-proof 😕. When food is scarce, hungry deer will eat almost anything, including plants they typically avoid.

If deer pressure is high in your area, you may still need to take precautions, such as using wire cloches or fences to keep your catmint from becoming an unexpected snack.

catmint (Nepeta) with golden yellow leaves and purple flowers growing in a landscaped garden bed — **Lemon Purrfection Catmint (*Nepeta* ‘Lemon Purrfection’).** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Catmint Landscaping Ideas

Use catmint in hot, dry garden beds alongside walkways, sidewalks, or driveways. Plant in mass in a rock garden, or along the front of the border where it can spill over and soften the edges of a bed.

Catmint attracts bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds and makes a great addition to any butterfly or pollinator garden.

For a sophisticated perennial planting, combine catmint with ‘Midnight Masquerade’ Beardtongue (a Penstemon hybrid) and ‘Helen von Stein’ Lamb’s Ears (Stachys). The larger leaf and flower shapes will contrast nicely with the soft mounds of silvery green catmint foliage, and the colors of each plant play nicely together.

For a structured planting, combine Otto Luyken cherry laurels (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Otto Luyken’), Golden Dream boxwoods (Buxus microphylla ‘Golden Dream’) and Cat’s Meow catmint (Nepeta faassenii ‘Cat’s Meow’). The large, glossy green leaves of the laurels and the small lime-green leaves of the boxwoods create a backdrop for the soft, silver foliage and purple flowers of catmint, and provide year-round evergreen structure.

catmint plants covered in purple flowers growing in a landscape in front of boulders, plants, lights and grass — **Purrsian Blue Catmint (*Nepeta faasennii* ‘Purrsian Blue’).** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

Planting Companions for Catmint

Perennial Planting Companion Ideas:

Hummelo Betony (Stachys officianalis ‘Hummelo’)
Blackbeard Penstemon (Penstemon ‘Blackbeard’)
Boom Chocolatta Hardy Geranium (Geranium pratense ‘Boom Chocolatta’)
Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
Creme Caramel Tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Creme Caramel’)
Moonshine Yarrow (Achillea x ‘Moonshine’)
Ballerina Pink Salvia (Salvia ‘Ballerina Pink’)
Lemon Meringue Baptisia (Baptisia ‘Lemon Meringue’)
White Swan Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’)
Variegated Liriope (Liriope muscari ‘Variegata’)
White Wands Speedwell (Veronica ‘White Wands’)
Sarah Bernhardt Peony (Paeonia lactiflora 'Sarah Bernhardt')

Shrub Planting Companion Ideas:

Peach Drift® Groundcover Rose (Rosa 'Meiggili')
Blushing Knockout® Shrub Rose (Rosa ‘Radyod’)
Little Lime® Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘Jane’ Little Lime®)
Anna’s Magic Ball® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Anna van Vloten')
Dwarf Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria ‘Globosa Nana’)
Lemony Lace® Elderberry (Sambucus recemosa ‘SMNSRD4’ Lemony Lace®)
Oak Leaf™ Holly (Ilex conaf)
Soft Touch Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’)
Little Missy Boxwood (Buxus ‘Little Missy’)
Green Mountain Boxwood (Buxus ‘Green Mountain’)
NewGen Independence® Boxwood (Buxus ‘SB108’)

catmint (nepeta) with purple flowers and lime green leaves growing in a landscaped garden bed outdoors — **Chartreuse on the Loose Catmint (*Nepeta* ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’).** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc. via Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

Popular Cultivars of Catmint

Cat’s Meow (Nepeta faassenii ‘Cat’s Meow’): A tidy, dense, uniform plant with purple-blue flowers, growing 17-20 inches high and 24-36 inches wide.
Cat’s Pajamas (Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’). A petite, early blooming cultivar with rosy purple blooms. Grows 12-14 inches high and 18-20 inches wide.
Catwalk Queen (Nepeta ‘Catwalk Queen’): Exceptionally large lavender-blue flowers and a low-growing, sturdy habit. Grows 10-12 inches high and 18-20 inches wide.
Chartreuse on the Loose (Nepeta ‘Chartreuse on the Loose). Bright lime green foliage with lavender-blue spikes of flowers. Grows 8-10 inches tall and 20-24 inches wide, ideal for edging and the front of the border.
Kitten Around (Nepeta faassenii ‘Kitten Around’). Purple-blue flowers on a compact and low growing plant, 12-14 inches tall and 20-22 inches wide.
Lemon Purrfection (Nepeta ‘Lemon Purrfection’): A small, tidy plant with golden yellow leaves and lavender blue flowers. Grows 10-12 inches high and 16-18 inches wide.
Little Titch (Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’): This low-growing, purple-flowering cultivar has tightly packed leaves. It forms a dense, 8-10 inch high mound and grows up to 15 feet wide.
Little Trudy® (Nepeta ‘Psfike’ Little Trudy®). Compact, 8-10 inch tall plant with purple flowers for the front of the border. Grows 12-16 inches wide.
Neptune (Nepeta kubanica ‘Bokratune’). Smaller stature, growing 8-12 inches high and 8-10 inches wide. Leaves are a larger size and have a fresh green color; flowers are violet-blue.
Purrsian Blue (Nepeta faassenii ‘Purssian Blue’). Periwinkle blue flowers cover a small, compact, tidy plant. Grows 14-18 inches tall and 18-30 inches wide.
Six Hills Giant (Nepeta ‘Six Hills Giant’). Tall, profusely flowering plant that grows to 36 inches high and 24 inches wide. Out of all the varieties available, this one is the most tolerant of damp soils.
Snowflake (Nepeta faassenii ‘Snowflake’). A white-flowered cultivar growing up to 14 inches tall.
SylvesterBlue™ (Nepeta faassenii SylvesterBlue™). Profuse violet-blue flowers on dense, mounded plant. Grows 12-15 inches high.
Walker’s Deep Blue (Nepeta ‘Walker’s Deep Blue’). Deep blue flowers, grows 18-20 inches tall.
Walker’s Low (Nepeta faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’). Very popular, easy to find cultivar with a long season of bloom. Despite the name, this is a taller cultivar, growing to 30 inches high.
Whispurr™ Pink (Nepeta faassenii Whispurr™ Pink). Larger soft pink flowers, grows 2 feet tall and wide.

catmint (nepeta) covered in purple flowers growing in garden bed next to plants in outdoor landscape — **Cat’s Meow Catmint (*Nepeta faassenii* ‘Cat’s Meow’).** Image courtesy of Proven Winners, provenwinners.com.

Is Catmint Invasive? Does Catmint Spread?

Catmint (Nepeta) is not considered to be an invasive plant. The hybrid catmint cultivars have been specifically bred to be sterile, unable to produce seeds, and will not self-seed or spread invasively or aggressively without deliberate division.

This includes all of the Nepeta x faassenii cultivars, and the hybrids like ‘Cat’s Pajamas’, Little Trudy®, ‘Neptune’, and ‘Walker’s Deep Blue’. The USDA does not currently consider catmint to be an invasive species. Visit the USDA’s Database of Invasive and Noxious Plants to learn more.

Will Catmint Attract Cats?

It’s a common question for pet owners and gardeners alike: will catmint attract cats? While catmint is related to catnip (more on that below), it doesn’t usually have the same irresistible effect on felines.

Some cats may show interest, like sniffing and rubbing against the leaves or sitting on the plant. But many cats tend to ignore it altogether.

So if you're worried that planting catmint will turn your yard into the neighborhood's feline hangout, don’t be too worried, because it probably won't. The ornamental varieties of catmint, especially the popular Nepeta hybrids, are far less likely to attract cats than true catnip.

As a cat owner, this advice comes with a caveat: just because most cats ignore catmint doesn’t mean yours won’t suddenly decide it’s their new favorite hangout. Because, let’s be honest, cats do whatever they want, whenever they want. 😜

catmint (nepeta) with larger leaves and bigger purple flowers growing in a grass landscape — **Neptune Catmint (*Nepeta* ‘Bokratune’).** Image courtesy of Ball Horticultural, Inc.

Catmint vs. Catnip

Catmint and catnip are related plants, both belonging to the Nepeta genus, and they share similar characteristics like flower size, flower shape, and aromatic foliage. However, they are not exactly the same.

Catmint

Catmint refers to various species and cultivars within the Nepeta genus (including Nepeta x faassenii ) grown for their ornamental value.
They have a mounded, clump-forming shape, attractive foliage, and profuse flowers in spring and summer.
Some cats may be attracted to catmint, but it does not have a strong effect on most cats and is usually ignored.
Catmint is well-behaved in the garden, and does not aggressively seed and spread.
It is a very popular, easy to grow ornamental plant, frequently planted by gardeners and landscapers.

Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a specific species within the Nepeta genus that is well-known for its effect on cats.
The compound nepetalactone, found in catnip, can induce a temporary euphoric or "happy" state in many cats, causing them to roll, rub, and nibble on the plant.
Catnip has a weedier appearance than catmint, and it flowers sparsely. It also has a tendency to self-seed and spread in the garden.
Because of its weedy, aggressive nature, catnip is not as commonly planted - it’s more of a niche plant grown by cat owners and herb gardeners interested in using the leaves for creating teas and insect repellents.

Plant catmint for pretty flowers…plant catnip for a feline frenzy!

Is Catmint Safe for Cats?

Yes, catmint is safe for cats. Catmint may not have the same effect on cats as catnip does, and may not induce the same playful behaviors associated with catnip, but it’s not considered toxic to cats.

Looking for cat-safe indoor plants? Read “Does your cat eat your houseplants?”.

catmint (nepeta) with lavender colored flowers growing in garden among other flowering plants — Walker’s Low Catmint (Nepeta faasennii ‘Walker’s Low’). Image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.