Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, catmint is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing catmint.
Jump to:
Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Catmint Belong To?
Catmint (Nepata faassenii) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include lavender, self-heal, and peppermint.
Catmint is also a cousin of catnip (Nepata cataria), which is of a different species but the same genus. Occasionally, you may even see catmint and catnip mistakenly referred to interchangeably. This is a somewhat "common" problem of common names! This article specifically refers to Nepata faassenii, the subtly minty-smelling herb with long, purple flowering stalks.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Catmint?
The minimum container size recommended for catmint is 2 gallons.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Catmint?
Some of catmint's best companions are as follows:
- Sage
- Echinacea
- Yarrow
- Lamb's ear
- Vervain
- Lemon verbena
- Lavender
- Motherwort
- Toothache plant
- Garlic
- Onion
- Leek
- Shallot
- Chives
- Ramps
- Dahlia
- Ice plant
- Gaillardia
- Lettuce
- Beet
- Chard
- Squash
- Potato
- Eggplant
- Broccoli, kale, and other Brassicas
- Lovage
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Catmint?
Catmint is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with catmint are as follows:
- Watercress
- Marshmallow
What Soil Conditions Does Catmint Need?
Catmint prefers well-draining soil, as it does not like wet feet. Beyond this, it is tolerant of a variety of soil types. It is not picky about fertility or whether the soil is primarily sand, loam, or clay.
How Long Does Catmint Take to Germinate?
Catmint takes 1-2 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 60-75°F.
How Much Sun Does Catmint Need?
Catmint can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate. It may also have fewer flowers in the shade than if it was grown in full sun, and it is more likely to become leggy.
If growing catmint in part shade, choose an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade if possible. See our Gardening in Part Shade article for more information about morning vs. afternoon sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and catmint grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Catmint Need?
Catmint needs 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Ideally, the water should be spread out over 2-3 watering sessions per week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Catmint?
Catmint grows fastest in temperatures of 55-85°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety.
How Tall Does Catmint Get?
The average height of catmint is 10-24 inches.
It also grows an average of 1-2 feet wide.
Is Catmint Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Catmint is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
How Does Catmint Reproduce?
Catmint reproduces by seed.
How Much Catmint is Produced Per Plant?
For catmint, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type of catmint, its growing conditions, and its size. Longer stalks will produce more flowers and leaves.
That said, mature catmints produce an average of 2 quarts of flowers and leaves per plant.
Can Catmint Be Ingested?
Catmint leaves and flowers are edible.
Catmint leaves and flowers have nervine and antispasmodic properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 25% alcohol is suggested for a catmint tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting catmint leaves or flowers.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of catmint rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for catmint here!
Catmint is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: