Catmint

A long-blooming perennial with aromatic gray-green foliage and spikes of lavender-blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Catmint is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and requires minimal care beyond shearing back after the first bloom flush. It makes an excellent edging plant alongside roses and pathways.

Catmint can be grown from seed or, more reliably, from division or cuttings. For seed starting, sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, pressing seeds lightly into the surface of moist compost without covering. Seeds need light for germination, which occurs in 7-14 days at 18-22°C. Named cultivars do not come true from seed and must be propagated vegetatively. Divide established clumps in spring or early autumn, or take softwood cuttings in late spring. Cuttings root easily in 2-3 weeks in a gritty, moist medium.

The Season Plate

Your Catmint Year

Composed for Zone 7 · typical seasons · frost passes Apr 2, returns Nov 1

Sow Catmint Mar – Apr, Sep, pick May – Sep. Set your climate below and every date on this plate re-times itself.

Sowing window

Mar – Apr, Sep

re-timed to your frost dates

Plant out

after Apr 2

once frost risk has passed

First picking

around Mar 15

≈ 365 days from sowing · 2-3 major per plant

Composed for —ColdTemperateMildWarmUse my locationUsed once to set your season · only the zone is kept

Week-by-week Catmint reminders watering, feeding and pruning, timed to your dates

In the app

Frost alerts for your garden a warning before a cold night costs you the crop

In the app

Succession sowing dates so the picking never gaps mid-season

In the app

Keep my dates — free for 7 daysWe nudge you as each window opens · cancel anytime

Catmint is one of the longest-blooming, most reliable perennials in the garden, producing wave after wave of soft lavender-blue flower spikes from late spring through early autumn. The aromatic silver-grey foliage forms a billowy, rounded mound 30-60cm tall and wide that is deer-proof, rabbit-resistant, and drought-tolerant—making it one of the most trouble-free garden plants available.

Plant in full sun in average to lean, well-drained soil. Like many Mediterranean-origin plants, catmint actually performs better in poor soil than rich—excessive fertility produces lank, floppy growth at the expense of flowers. Space plants 45cm apart for a dense, continuous planting, or use as a specimen at path edges and border fronts. Catmint establishes quickly and begins flowering in its first season.

The secret to continuous bloom is shearing. After the first flush of flowers fades in midsummer, cut the entire plant back by half to two-thirds with hedge shears. Within two weeks, fresh growth emerges and a second—sometimes third—flush of bloom follows, carrying the display well into autumn. This hard shearing also keeps the plant compact and prevents the center from opening up or flopping.

Catmint is the classic companion for roses, spilling at their feet and providing a continuous blue-lavender carpet that complements every rose color. It partners beautifully with lavender, salvia, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses in drought-tolerant borders. Use as edging along paths where brushing against the foliage releases its minty fragrance. The flowers attract abundant bees and beneficial insects that improve pollination across the garden.

The Society Table

Rose belongs beside it.

Old growers' knowledge, checked against Catmint's real companion table below — test any plant you're growing.

Grows well in the company of · 3

RoseLavenderPerennial Salvia

Keep apart · 0

no recorded foes

Plant Catmint with good neighboursThe planner flags conflicts before they're in the ground

Catmint performs best in average to lean, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. It thrives in sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils and struggles only in heavy, wet clay. Do not over-enrich the soil—too much nitrogen produces floppy growth with fewer flowers. If planting in clay, add generous amounts of grit or gravel to improve drainage. Little to no fertilizer is needed; a light application of balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring is sufficient for poor soils. Container plants need a well-drained mix and light monthly feeding.

Ideal Temperature

Hardiness Zone Compatibility

Cut catmint stems for fresh flower arrangements when the flower spikes are about half-open. The soft blue-lavender color combines beautifully with roses, daisies, and other cottage garden flowers. Stems last about 5-7 days in water. For drying, cut stems when flowers are at peak color and hang upside down in a warm, dark room for 1-2 weeks. The dried flowers retain a pleasant fragrance and a muted lavender color that works well in dried arrangements and potpourri.

Storage & Preservation

Dried catmint stems maintain their aromatic fragrance for months and are excellent in potpourri and sachets. Hang-dry bundles for two weeks, then strip dried flowers and store in airtight containers. The dried leaves and flowers can be used to make a mild herbal tea similar to chamomile. For seed saving, allow some flower spikes to remain uncut after the final bloom flush; collect the tiny seeds when the calyces turn brown and dry.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Flopping is the most common complaint, caused by rich soil, too much water, or insufficient sunlight. Grow lean and in full sun for the most compact growth. The midsummer hard shearing prevents floppy regrowth. Cats may roll in and crush young plants (the Nepeta genus includes catnip); protect new plantings with chicken wire until well established. In very humid climates, powdery mildew may disfigure late-season foliage; shearing keeps it in check. Catmint can self-seed prolifically—deadhead before seeds set if unwanted spreading is a concern.

Growing Tips

1. Plant catmint in full sun for the densest flowering, though it tolerates light afternoon shade in hot southern climates without significant reduction in bloom quality.
2. Ensure well-drained soil is the top priority, as catmint is far more likely to die from waterlogged winter roots than from cold temperatures. Amend heavy clay soils with coarse grit or perlite before planting.
3. Space plants 45-60 cm apart to allow their natural mounding habit to develop fully and to ensure adequate air circulation that prevents foliar diseases.
4. Shear the entire plant back by one-third after the first bloom flush fades in midsummer. This single action is the most important maintenance step and will reliably trigger a vigorous second wave of flowers within 2-3 weeks.
5. Avoid rich, heavily fertilized soil, which causes catmint to produce lush but floppy growth with fewer flowers. Lean, average garden soil produces the most compact and floriferous plants.
6. Propagate catmint by division in early spring or by taking semi-ripe stem cuttings in late summer. Root cuttings in a gritty, well-drained propagation mix and keep them moist but not waterlogged.
7. Pair catmint with roses, lavender, salvia, and ornamental grasses for classic cottage garden combinations. The cool lavender-blue tones complement both warm and cool color palettes beautifully.
8. Water newly planted catmint regularly for the first growing season to establish deep roots. Once established, catmint is remarkably drought-tolerant and typically needs supplemental water only during extended dry spells exceeding 3-4 weeks.
9. Use catmint as a living mulch or ground cover on dry banks and slopes where its dense root system helps stabilize soil and its spreading habit suppresses weed growth naturally.
10. Leave dried seed heads standing through winter rather than cutting back in autumn. This provides food for finches and other seed-eating birds and adds structural interest to the dormant garden landscape.