Herbs

Nepeta cataria

Catnip

LamiaceaeEurope, western Asia, central Asia

At a Glance

TypePerennial
HabitMounding
FoliageDeciduous
Height18-36 inches (45-90 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

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

Overview

Nepeta cataria is an erect, bushy, short-lived perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae) reaching 18–36 inches (45–90 cm) tall with an 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spread. 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 has 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, borne in dense terminal spikes and upper axillary whorls. Self-sows freely; deadheading prevents unwanted spread. Less aggressive than Mentha species — 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

Native to Europe, western Asia, and central Asia, occurring in hedgerows, waste ground, and roadsides. Widely naturalized across temperate North America. In the Pacific Northwest, common on roadsides and waste ground.

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× more effective than DEET in laboratory studies). Distinguished from ornamental catmints in the Lamiaceae identification curriculum.

How to Identify

Distinguished from ornamental catmints (Nepeta x faassenii, N. racemosa) by the gray-green downy leaves (versus darker green, smaller), the white flowers with purple spots (versus lavender-blue), and the taller, more open habit. Distinguished from Mentha 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 unique 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

white
purple

Foliage Colors

gray
green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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SummerFall
Flowers from June through September. Terminal spikes and upper axillary whorls bloom over 4–6 weeks. Pollinated by bees and butterflies. Self-sows freely; remove spent flower spikes before seed dispersal to prevent unwanted spread. Cut back after first flowering to stimulate a second bloom flush.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White with purple spots

Foliage Description

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

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial 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
loamsandsilt
Drainage
well 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. 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, protect young plants with wire cages until established — cats roll on and crush small plants. Container culture (3+ gallon) is practical for balcony herb gardens. Short-lived perennial (3–5 years); allow some self-sowing or save seed 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. Deadhead spent flower spikes to prevent self-sowing.

Pruning Schedule

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early springsummer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

transplant

Indoor Start

8 weeks before last frost

Days to Maturity

90–120 days

Plant Spacing

18 inches