Catmint is an easy to grow perennial with a lovely aroma. More ornamental than catnip with purple flowers that bloom early and over a long period and attractive, fuzzy grey-green foliage. Tolerates poor soil and drought. Catmint is an excellent ground cover and attracts both bees and butterflies to your garden, making it a great choice for pollinator-friendly gardening. Enjoyed by cats, but less likely to attract them to your garden than catnip. Packet contains ~50 seeds.
- Perennial to zone 3
- flowers in first year
- full sun, part-shade tolerant
- ground cover
- mature height 10-24 inches (24-60 cm)
- late spring to summer
Catmint Seeds
Catmint can be started indoors about 6-8 weeks prior to your last frost date. Can also be direct-seeded after risk of frost has passed.
Seeds should be cold stratified to improve germination. Place seeds in the freezer for at least 24 hours, followed by soaking for an additional 24 hours prior to seeding.
Press seeds into soil and cover only lightly. Keep moist until germination in ~10-20 days (may be longer with cooler temperatures).
Transplant after your last frost date into a sunny or part sun location, with plants 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart.
Nepeta cataria