catnip
Nepeta cataria
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size2 to 3 feet tall2 to 3 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Clumping
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- White with pale purple spotting
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial for borders, pollinator gardens, and cottage gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to average soil of most types. It forms a fast-growing clump of gray-green, fragrant leaves, and butterflies and bees visit the white, purple-spotted blooms. It sits low on the menu for deer. Cut it back when it gets leggy.
Pairs well with Anise hyssop, Blue grama, and Stella de Oro daylily.
Native range
Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, and China.