Nepeta cataria
Overview
Uses: Herb gardens, pollinator borders, cottage gardens, containers, fresh or dried foliage harvest.
Benefits: Fragrant gray-green foliage forms a soft mound topped with airy spikes of pale blooms. Long flowering and adaptable growth make it reliable in sunny borders and low-maintenance plantings.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Growth Habit: Mounding, Spreading — softly arching stems form loose clumps.
Bloom Color: White to Pale Lavender
Foliage Color: Gray-Green
Mature Height: 18–30 inches
Mature Width: 18–24 inches
Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Fall
Growth Rate: Fast
Summary
Soft texture, gentle color, and unmistakable fragrance make Catnip a relaxed addition to sunny gardens. Its gray-green foliage and delicate flower spikes create a natural, cottage-style feel that blends easily with other perennials.
Reliable and adaptable, Nepeta cataria thrives in well-drained soils and tolerates heat and occasional dry spells once established. Its extended bloom period supports pollinators while the aromatic foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season.
Care
Catnip Care
Plant in well-drained soil with at least six hours of direct sun for best growth and flowering. It adapts to average soils and tolerates lean conditions.
Water regularly during establishment. Once rooted, plants require only occasional watering during extended dry periods. Avoid consistently wet soils.
Apply a light feeding in spring using a balanced fertilizer or
slow release fertilizer.
Shear plants lightly after the first bloom cycle to encourage compact regrowth and continued flowering. Deadhead if you wish to limit self-seeding.
Size
What Size is the Catnip for Sale Online?
Plants are greenhouse-grown and shipped in nursery containers appropriate to the selected size. Each plant is well-rooted and actively growing. For specific measurements or sizing questions, please
contact us.
How Large Does Catnip Grow?
Mature plants typically reach 18–30 inches tall and 18–24 inches wide, forming relaxed, gently spreading clumps.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
Nepeta cataria is commonly known as Catnip or Catmint.
Is Catnip good for pollinators?
The nectar-rich blooms attract bees and butterflies throughout the flowering season. Browse more pollinator-friendly selections in our
Perennials collection.
Does Catnip reseed?
It can self-seed in open soil if flower heads are left in place. Removing spent blooms will reduce volunteer seedlings.
Is Catnip deer resistant?
The aromatic foliage is often avoided by deer and rabbits, making it a useful addition to mixed borders. Explore more options in our
Deer-Resistant Perennials and Grasses collection.
