Catnip Plant Varieties Growing Different Species Of Nepeta

There are five popular types that include:

True catnip (Nepeta cataria)– Produces white to purple flowers and grows 3 feet (1 m.) ...
Greek catnip (Nepeta parnassica)– Pale pink blooms and 1½ feet (. ...
Camphor catnip (Nepeta camphorata)– White flowers with purple dots, about 1½ feet (.

Which is the best Nepeta?

Nepeta 'Select Blue' (Select Blue Catmint) is a fantastic xeric perennial with dramatic lavender-blue flowers and handsome gray-green foliage. A recurrent bloomer, the first flush of flowers comes in late spring, and again later in summer. A long-lived, easily grown perennial, this is an excellent plant for beginners.

Is Nepeta the same as catnip?

Are Catnip and Catmint the Same? It can be easy to mistake these two plants as simply different names for the same thing, but they are, in fact, different plants. Both are part of the mint family and both belong to the Nepeta genus – catnip is Nepeta cataria and catmint is Nepeta mussinii.

How do you identify catnip plants?

Look for jagged, heart-shaped leaves and thick stems that are both covered in fuzzy hairs. The best time to search for wild catnip is between July and October when the flowers are in bloom. Catnip flowers bloom in large clusters at the tops of the plants and look like little tubular mouths.

Can catmint be divided?

Catmint (Nepeta x fassenii 'Walker's Low) is easy to divide – every little piece with roots that breaks off can grow.

Does catmint need sun?

Although most prefer full sun, they won't mind a bit of afternoon shade, especially when grown in hot climates. Catmint will grow in just about any type of well-drained soil.

Does catmint spread fast?

Catmint has few pests and the seeds are sterile so it doesn't spread by self-sowing. Catmint is a classic cottage garden plant that often accompanies peonies, roses, coreopsis, and delphiniums. Because of its spreading nature, it's a great filler plant to provide color and green foliage between later blooming flowers.

Is catnip edible to humans?

Catnip is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catnip tea have been consumed without serious side effects. However, catnip is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked or taken by mouth in high doses (many cups of catnip tea, for example).

Is catnip a drug?

Catnip is a bizarre phenomenon for a few reasons. It's the only recreational drug we routinely give to animals, and though it basically makes them freak out — rolling on the ground, drooling, and mashing their face into wherever the catnip was sprinkled — it has essentially no effect on us.

Is catmint an invasive plant?

The true catmint species described above is a big invasive plant. It reaches three feet tall, producing sparse white flowers. ... To absolutely prevent self sowing simply deadhead the blossoms once they are spent before seed can form. The most outstanding form is Six Hills Giant, which stands 3 feet tall.

Should I let my catnip flower?

Catnip herb grows best in well draining soil in the full sun, but it will tolerate part sun and a wide variety of soil types. Catnip plants spread readily by seed, so in order to control its spread, you'll need to remove the flowers before they go to seed. ...

Does catnip come back every year?

Catnip grows as a loosely branching, low perennial, which means it will die back in the winter in most areas and then come back in the spring. In a flowerbed, you can plant catnip in front of purple coneflower, which blooms about the same time. The plant bears tiny, white blooms that are not very showy.

Can you eat fresh catnip leaves?

Young leaves can be eaten raw. Their mint-like flavour adds an aromatic flavouring in salads. Older leaves can be used as flavouring in cooked foods. Catnip leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried to make a calming herbal tea.

Is catmint toxic to dogs?

There is no harm in allowing dogs in catnip plants as long as you don't expect them to go into raptures. While your dogs will not react to catnip like your cats do, the herb offers canines benefits too.

Should I prune catmint?

Wait until early spring to cut it back. To keep catmint vigorous, divide it every three to four years in either spring or early fall. ... If you want to contain the overall size of the plant, pinch it back in spring after it is a few inches tall to promote a bushier growth habit.

Can I eat catmint?

This plant is edible for humans and it even has some medicinal benefits. The leaves and flowers can be steeped to make tea. Catmint herbal tea has a mild minty taste and a sweet fragrance. ... Alternatively, you can also eat the leaves.

What can I plant next to catmint?

Try growing catmint plant companions such as verbena, agastache, lavender, and tufted hairgrass together. Plant a striking border of catmint along with irises and Siberian spurge, or accent the aforementioned rose and catmint combo with a pop of color from yarrow.

Is catmint the same as lavender?

Although there are some differences among species, most species of lavender have narrow, dark green to gray-green leaves. Catmint's heart-shaped, gray-green leaves have a scalloped edge. Catmint begins blooming in late spring and continues through early summer. Lavender blooms appear from early through midsummer.

Do bees like catmint?

Nepeta produces long lasting flower spikes that are highly appealing to honey bees. They are members of the mint family and do best in sunny locations with moderate water requirements and also show good drought tolerance once established.

Will deer eat catmint?

The fuzzy, fragrant foliage of catmint is detested by deer. 'Cat's Meow' is a lower maintenance selection that is prized for its naturally neat, dense habit that won't need trimming to keep it in bounds like older varieties. It is very easy to grow in zones 3-8 in full sun and well-drained soil.

How often should you water catmint?

Give newly planted catmint about 1 inch of water each week during its first growing season. Once established, these drought-tolerant plants need watering only about once every three weeks. Irrigate the soil until the roots are moistened, but avoid overwatering because this plant really hates having wet feet.

Why is it called catmint?

Some members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of their effect on house cats – the nepetalactone contained in some Nepeta species binds to the olfactory receptors of cats, typically resulting in temporary euphoria.