Nepeta cataria
- Phonetic Spelling
- NEP-eh-tuh kat-AR-ee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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‘Cataria’ catmint is a perennial herb in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It originated in Europe and Asia. It came to be called catmint owing to having a strong scent that cats find attractive.
‘Cataria’ catmint requires good drainage and full sun to part shade but tolerates many soil types. The plant is resistant to drought, dry soil, and air pollution but is somewhat intolerant of heat and humidity, so give it some afternoon shade. Shear flower spikes after initial flowering to promote continued bloom. Propagate by division or seed.
As a culinary herb, the minty-flavored leaves may be chopped and added to soups, stews, sauces, vegetables, or pasta. ‘Cataria’ catmint is a pollinator plant for honey bees as well as other bees, insects, and butterflies. Plant this fast growing low maintenance deer resistant perennial in a cottage, sensory, herb, or children's garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The plant can become weedy, so consider growing it in a container. Many cats are attracted to ‘Cataria’ catmint, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It makes some cats sedated and others stimulated.VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nepeta
- Species:
- cataria
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Asia
- Distribution:
- Naturalized throughout
- Wildlife Value:
- Cats love it. The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees primarily, including honey bees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Other visitors that occasionally visit the flowers include Halictid bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and skippers. The foliage is one of the food sources for the caterpillars of such moths as Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) and the polyphagous Xanthotype urticaria (False Crocus Geometer).
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Leaves for herbal teas, soups, stews, sauces, vegetables, or pasta.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Herb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The upper stems terminate in dense whorls of flowers on spike-like racemes about 1-6" long. The flowers are small, two-lipped, white with pale purple spotting tubular flowers and bloom May through September.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Aromatic, coarsely-toothed, triangular to ovate, grey-green leaves (to 3" long). Leaves are downy which gives it a grey-green appearance.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Square
- Stem Description:
- Square stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Edible Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Pollution
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Weedy
