How to Grow Catmint Herb Plants

About Growing Catmint in Your Herb Garden

If you are growing Catmint herbs, all of the cats in your neighborhood will love you. Cats simply love Catmint! They love to nip the leaves of this herb plant. They love to roll in it. And, sometimes will take a nap in a bed of Catmint plants, too!

A member of the Mint family, Catmint is a strong-smelling, aromatic herb. It has clusters of flowers. The leaves have a lemon-mint flavor and scent. It is fun to grow for your kitties and to make a pleasant tea for you.

Ther are perennial and biennial varieties of Catmint plants. It is native to China, Central Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Furthermore, bees are fond of Catmint.

Catmint Versus Catnip

The distinction between these plants can be summed up in the following statement: Catnip is a variety of Catmint. But, not all catmint varieties are catnip.

Catnip varieties are high in the chemical nepetalactone and has a strong fragrance. It causes euphoria in cats.

Generally, non-Catnip varieties of Catmint is grown primarily for its ornamental appearance. It is less appealing to cats than Catnip.

Did You Know? Big cats, including lions and tigers, like Catnip, too.

Main Uses

The most popular use of Catmint is for cats. Rubbing the oil of Catnip varieties on your cats’ toys will drive them wild.

Also, it makes a minty tea for you to savor.

Medicinally, Catmint is used in treating colds and cold symptoms.

Catmint Plant Growing Specifications

Flowers Bloom: Spring through Summer

Flower Colors: Blue, pink, and white.

Days to Harvest: Harvest the leaves in late spring to early summer.

Plant Height: 10 to 24 inches tall.

Light Needs: Full sunlight to partial sunlight.

Ideal Soil pH : 6.0 – 7.5.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9

Ideal Growing Temperatures

Daytime: 60 to 70° F.
Nighttime: 55° F minimum.

Plant Type: Perennial.

Deer Resistant? Yes. Deer, rabbits, and other pests do not like the strong scent, taste, and texture.

Native To: Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and The Middle East.

Botanical Name: Nepeta Musinii

Catmint Plant Propagation

Grow Catmint plants from seed. Sow seeds into your garden in the spring. Space seedlings or thin plants to 12 to 18 inches apart. They tolerate a little crowding.

Established plants can be propagated by the division of the rootball, too.

When growing Catmint, allow for plenty of space. They like to spread out. So, it can overcrowd nearby plants in your herb garden.

Final Plant Spacing: Space seedlings, or thin plants 12 to 18 inches apart, in rows 12 inches apart.

Days to Germination: 7 – 14 days.

How to Grow Catmint Herb Plants

Planting and Soil Needs

Catmint is easy to grow. They thrive in full sun or partial shade. They prefer average, well-drained soil. Plants are drought and heat-tolerant. They grow well with little attention and withstand crowding.

For optimal growth, mix compost into the soil at planting time. Additionally, if the soil is average or poor, then mix in a general-purpose fertilizer prior to planting.

Light Requirement

Select a location in your garden where your Catmint plants will receive at least seven to eight hours of bright, direct sun. For optimal growth, grow them in a location where they will receive full sunlight from sunrise to sunset.

They are tolerant of light, partial shade. In hotter regions, select a growing location that has partial sunlight or light shade during the midafternoon to protect it from damage by the hot rays of the sun.

With reduced sunlight, the plants grow slower and smaller, with less flowers.

Fertilizer Needs

Fertilizer is not usually required, except in the poorest of soils.

In poor soils, add a balanced general-purpose fertilizer once or twice during the growing season.

Water Needs

Give the plants with plenty of water during the growing season. Keep the soil moist but not wet and allow the soil to dry out between watering.

Other Steps

Weeds will compete for valuable water and soil nutrients. Therefore, keep young Catmint plants well-weeded.

Then, after the plants have grown a few inches, pinch back the shoots to promote bushy growth. It will first bloom in mid-summer. After harvest, trim back the plants again. With luck, you will get three harvests in a season.

Catmint plants are aggressive growers, crowding out other plants if given the chance. Give them plenty of space away from other plants in your garden. Or, surround the plants with a border edging.

Insects and Plant Diseases

Aphids, leaf hoppers, spider mites can attack the plants. Control them with insecticidal soaps or neem oil.

Powdery mildew and root rot can be an occasional problem. Treat powdery mildew with a fungicide. Avoid wet soils.

Harvest Time

Harvest leaves as the flowers begin to bloom. Cut off the top leaves, stems, and flowers. They can be used fresh, dried, or frozen. Spread leaves out to dry in a cool and ventilated area.