Nepeta cataria

catnip

Lamiaceae

Europe, western Asia, central Asia (native); widely naturalized across temperate North America

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (moderate)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Nepeta cataria is an erect bushy short-lived perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae spp.) reaching 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide. Stems are square, erect, branching, downy-hairy, gray-green. Leaves are opposite, ovate to triangular, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, gray-green, downy-hairy on both surfaces, with coarsely toothed margins and a cordate (heart-shaped) base. The foliage carries a faint mint-like scent to humans but contains nepetalactone, a terpenoid that triggers a strong behavioral response (rolling, rubbing, vocalization) in approximately 50–70% of domestic cats. Flowers are white with small purple spots, 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm) long, tubular, two-lipped, in dense terminal spikes and upper axillary whorls. The species self-sows freely; deadheading prevents unwanted spread. Less aggressive than Mentha spp. species — it spreads by seed rather than stolons. Naturalized along roadsides and waste ground throughout temperate North America. In garden settings, cat damage (rolling on plants, breaking stems) is the primary management challenge.

Native Range

Nepeta cataria is native to Europe, western Asia, and central Asia, occurring in hedgerows, waste ground, and roadsides. The species is widely naturalized across temperate North America and is common on roadsides and waste ground in the Pacific Northwest.

Suggested Uses

Planted in herb gardens, balcony containers, and medicinal herb collections. Dried leaves are used in herbal tea (calming, mild sedative). Fresh or dried leaves are used in cat toys and enrichment. The nepetalactone chemistry and cat behavioral response are studied in animal behavior and phytochemistry. The species is also a mosquito repellent — nepetalactone is approximately 10 times more potent than DEET in laboratory studies. Separated from ornamental catmints in the Lamiaceae identification curriculum.

How to Identify

Separated from ornamental catmints (Nepeta × faassenii, N. racemosa) by gray-green downy leaves (versus darker green and smaller), white flowers with purple spots (versus lavender-blue), and a taller more open habit. Separated from Mentha spp. species by the downy gray-green leaves (versus smooth bright green), the clump-forming (versus stoloniferous) habit, and the white (versus lavender-pink) flowers. The nepetalactone cat-attractant response is specific to N. cataria among common garden Lamiaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 3'

Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowers from June through September. Terminal spikes and upper axillary whorls bloom over 4–6 weeks. Pollination is by bees and butterflies. The species self-sows freely; spent flower spikes are removed before seed dispersal to prevent unwanted spread. The plant is cut back after first flowering to stimulate a second bloom flush.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with small purple spots; tubular two-lipped; 0.3–0.5 inch (8–12 mm) long; in dense terminal spikes and upper axillary whorls

Foliage Description

Gray-green; ovate to triangular with coarsely toothed margins; downy-hairy on both surfaces; faint mint-like scent

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand silt

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant divisions or nursery starts in spring, spacing 18 inches (45 cm) apart in well-drained soil. Full sun produces the most compact plants with the highest nepetalactone content. The species is drought-tolerant once established; overwatering causes lanky growth. Cut back to 4 inches (10 cm) after first flowering to stimulate compact regrowth and prevent self-sowing. In areas with outdoor cats, young plants are protected with wire cages until established because cats roll on and crush small plants. Container culture (3+ gallon) is practical for balcony herb gardens. The species is short-lived (3–5 years); some self-sowing or saved seed is useful for replacement.

Pruning

Cut back to 4 inches (10 cm) after first flowering (July) to stimulate compact regrowth and a second bloom. Cut to ground level in late fall or early spring. Spent flower spikes are deadheaded to prevent self-sowing.

Pruning Schedule

early springsummer