Catmint is NOT Catnip

CATNIP.jpg

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

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!

Sharon Dwyer