Catmint is NOT Catnip
Catmint and Catnip are in fact different plants with very distinct characteristics
Even some experienced gardeners have gasped when they hear I have Catmint in my gardens. I know they are thinking of the species plant Catnip and its’ negative attributes for most garden settings. Or perhaps some do not realize that the two are actually very different plants! Once you understand the differences you too will love Catmint in your gardens.
Catmint Nepeta mussinii
Catmint is a hybrid
Catmint has a mounded form
Catmint flowers nearly continuously
Catmint flowers are typically lavender blue
Catmint has a minty scent
Catmint leaves are small, about 1-2 inches
Catmint Faassen’s hybrids are sterile
Catmint leaves contain only a slight trace of nepetalactone. This will attract cats just enough to perhaps roll around in the foliage.
CATNIP
Catnip Nepeta cataria
Catnip is a species plant
Catnip has a weedy appearance
Catnip flowers once each season
Catnip flowers are typically white
Catnip has a musky scent
Catnip leaves are large, about 3 inches
Catnip self seeds invasively
Catnip leaves contain nepetalactone which attracts cats. They eat the leaves for a euphoric high.
Catmint and Catnip are from the Nepeta genus and the mint family. Both are very easy to grow. Both Catmint and Catnip will attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
Catnip attracts cats with a terpene that is called nepetalactone. It seems to mimin the female cat’s sex hormone. About two thirds of domesticated cats will be drawn to the scent as well as some large wild cats. When cats eat the leaves they experience a short lived euphoria and may exhibit some unusual behaviors. Some cats will be mellow, some frisky, some aggressive.
Catmint is a hybrid of Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella. Cultivars are typically named with x faasinii which are all sterile hybrids and will not spread in your gardens. Catmint is also used for herbal tea and also has medicinal and culinary uses.
If you wish you could grow Lavender in your region, Catmint is a perfect alternative. Or, plant some catnip for all the neighborhood cats!