How to Grow Nepeta
Nepeta cataria
Catmint is one of the easiest perennials for UK gardens, thriving in full sun and poor, well-drained soil. Plant in spring, water until established, then leave it alone. Cut back hard after the first flush of flowers in midsummer to trigger a strong second bloom. Protect young plants from cats with wire netting until they toughen up. A superb edging plant and pollinator magnet that pairs beautifully with roses and lavender.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Rarely needed. Thrives in poor, well-drained soil.
Watch For
- Generally pest-free
- Cats (roll in it and crush plants)
Companions
Roses, Lavender, Geraniums, Alliums
Track your Nepeta care schedule — pruning, feeding, and seasonal tasks
Start planning freeCare Requirements
☀️ Light
Full sun for compact growth and best flowering
Full sun for the best compact growth and heaviest flowering. Tolerates light shade but plants become leggy and flower less.
💧 Watering
Drought-tolerant once established
Very drought-tolerant once established. Water newly planted catmint until roots are settled, then only in prolonged dry spells.
🌱 Fertilizing
Rarely needed; prefers lean soil
Rarely needed. Catmint thrives in poor to moderate, well-drained soil. Rich soil produces floppy, weak growth.
✂️ Pruning
Hard cut after first flush for repeat bloom
Cut back hard after the first flush of flowers to encourage a strong second bloom. Cut to ground level in late autumn or early spring.
Growing Tips
Chop for a second show
Cut back hard after the first flush of flowers to encourage a strong second bloom through late summer.
Keep it lean
Avoid rich soil and heavy feeding; lean conditions produce compact, floriferous plants.
Cat-proof new plants
Protect young plants from cats with wire netting or pea sticks until stems are tough enough to resist rolling.
Annual hard cut
Cut to ground level in late autumn or early spring to keep plants tidy and vigorous.
Pests & Diseases
Pest Cats
Identification: Plants crushed, rolled on, and flattened; broken stems; cats sleeping on or rubbing against the plant
- Protect young plants with wire netting or pea sticks until well established
- Plant in the centre of a border where cats are less likely to reach
- No chemical treatment; physical barriers are the only solution
Pest Aphids
Identification: Clusters of green aphids on soft shoot tips; sticky honeydew; minor distortion of new growth
- Blast off with a jet of water
- Encourage natural predators — catmint attracts hoverflies which are excellent aphid predators
- Rarely needed; catmint is generally pest-resistant
Disease Powdery Mildew Erysiphe spp.
Symptoms: White powdery coating on leaves, usually in late summer; affected leaves may yellow and drop
Treatment: Cut back affected growth hard — catmint responds well and produces fresh clean growth
Prevention: Ensure good air circulation; avoid overcrowding; plant in well-drained soil in full sun
Disease Stem Rot Various fungi
Symptoms: Stems blacken and collapse at the base; crown rots in wet conditions; plant dies back in patches
Treatment: Remove and destroy affected stems; improve drainage around the plant
Prevention: Plant in well-drained soil; avoid heavy clay; do not mulch over the crown in winter
Popular Varieties
Six Hills Giant, Walker's Low, Purrsian Blue, Junior Walker, Blue Wonder
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