Nepeta Growth & Care Guide

Nepeta, also known as Catmint, is a tough perennial known for its soft gray-green foliage and long-lasting waves of blue, lavender, or purple flowers. This Plant Guide covers everything you need to know about growing Nepeta successfully; sunlight, soil conditions, pruning, long-term maintenance and much more. We also cover the best varieties of Nepeta and ideas on how to best use it in your garden.

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By: Reggie Meehan (01/24/2026)

Introduction to Nepeta

Nepeta belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and includes dozens of species native to Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. While closely related to catnip (Nepeta cataria), ornamental Nepeta is grown for its refined habit, long bloom time, and landscape reliability rather than its effect on cats. Modern garden varieties have been bred for compact growth, heavy flowering, and improved heat tolerance.

Flowering Nepeta thrives in tough conditions—full sun, poor soil, heat, and drought—where many perennials struggle. It begins blooming in late spring and often continues into fall with minimal care. Its loose, airy form softens hard edges in the landscape and blends effortlessly with other perennials.

The first time I planted Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ was along a hot, sunny walkway where irrigation was limited and the soil was far from ideal. Within a single season, it filled out into a soft, billowing mound, spilled gracefully over the edge of the path, and stayed covered in lavender-blue blooms while surrounding plants showed signs of stress. Even during peak summer heat, it never skipped a beat, continuing to flower with minimal care. Since then, Walker’s Low has earned a permanent place in my garden plans whenever I need reliable color, movement, and toughness in challenging conditions.

Characteristics of Nepeta

Nepeta’s value lies in its ability to combine a relaxed, natural look with extreme toughness and long flowering. It performs equally well in formal designs and informal, cottage-style gardens. Once established, Nepeta requires very little intervention while still delivering months of dependable color.

Size and Growth Habit

Most ornamental Nepeta varieties grow between 12 and 24 inches tall, with a spread that often exceeds their height. Their growth habit is mounding to gently spreading, with arching stems that soften edges and weave naturally between neighboring plants.

Compact varieties stay tidy and well-contained, while larger selections create broad drifts of color ideal for mass plantings. Nepeta spreads gradually without becoming invasive and is easy to manage through simple seasonal trimming. This loose, flowing shape allows nepeta to soften hard edges like stone paths and retaining walls with ease. When planted in groups, individual plants knit together naturally to form cohesive, low-maintenance sweeps of color.

Leaves and Flowers

Nepeta foliage is soft-textured and aromatic, typically gray-green to silvery green in color. The fine texture of the leaves provides excellent contrast to bolder foliage plants, and the aromatic oils help deter deer and rabbits. Foliage remains attractive even when plants are not in bloom, providing season-long structure in the garden.

Flowers appear on slender spikes above the foliage and are typically shades of lavender-blue, violet, pale purple, or soft blue. Blooming begins in late spring and often continues through summer, especially if plants are lightly trimmed after the first flush. The flowers are highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators. The extended flowering period makes nepeta especially valuable for maintaining color continuity between spring and fall perennials.

Is Nepeta Annual or Perennial?

Nepeta is a true perennial and is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8, depending on the variety. Plants die back in winter and re-emerge reliably in spring, often growing quickly once temperatures warm. Its cold hardiness, long lifespan, and consistent performance make Nepeta a staple perennial for long-term garden success. Mature plants often improve with age, developing fuller growth and heavier bloom cycles over time. 

Best Varieties of Nepeta

Nepeta comes in a range of standout varieties, each selected for its flowering performance, growth habit, and reliability in the landscape. The best selections offer long bloom seasons, excellent heat tolerance, and an easygoing nature that fits both formal and informal garden designs.

Walker’s Low

The gold standard of Catmint, Walker’s Low is prized for its broad, mounding habit and exceptionally long bloom period. It produces waves of lavender-blue flowers from late spring through summer, often reblooming into fall with a light trim, and its arching stems spill beautifully over paths, walls, and borders. Extremely heat tolerant and drought resistant once established, it excels in sunny locations where other perennials struggle, making it a go-to choice for mass plantings and high-impact drifts.

Junior Walker™

Nepeta ‘Junior Walker’ offers the same flower color and toughness as ‘Walker’s Low’ but in a more compact, refined form. Reaching roughly half the size, it stays neater and more controlled, making it ideal for smaller gardens, tight borders, and container plantings. Its shorter stature reduces flopping while still delivering long-lasting blooms and strong pollinator appeal, making it a smart alternative where space is limited but performance still matters.

How to Grow & Care for Nepeta

Nepeta is one of the easiest perennials to grow, thriving in sunny locations with well-drained soil and minimal maintenance. With proper planting and simple seasonal care, catmint delivers months of continuous bloom, soft texture, and dependable performance year after year.

Planting Nepeta

Plant Nepeta in spring or early fall when soil temperatures are moderate. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart, depending on mature size. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture during establishment. Nepeta establishes quickly and adapts easily to new planting areas.

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun is essential for best growth and flowering. Nepeta performs best with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In partial shade, plants may become looser and flower less heavily. In hot climates, Nepeta tolerates intense sun exceptionally well and continues to perform through summer heat.

Soil Requirements

Well-drained soil is critical. Nepeta thrives in average to poor soil and prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Rich or overly fertile soil can cause excessive growth and flopping. Avoid heavy, wet soils, especially in winter, as poor drainage is the most common cause of failure.

Watering Needs

Once established, nepeta is highly drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering. Water consistently during the first growing season to encourage deep, resilient root development, then reduce irrigation as plants mature. Overwatering should be avoided, as soggy soil can weaken growth and reduce flowering. In most landscapes, rainfall alone is sufficient once plants are fully established.

Fertilizer Needs

Nepeta thrives in average to lean soils and rarely benefits from added fertilizer. In most gardens, no feeding is necessary, though a light application of compost in spring can support growth in extremely poor soils. Excess fertilizer promotes lush foliage at the expense of flowers and often leads to floppy stems. When it comes to nepeta, less feeding results in stronger plants and better bloom performance.

Pruning & Maintenance

After the first major flush of blooms in early summer, shear plants back by one-third to one-half to refresh growth and encourage reblooming. This simple trim keeps plants compact, tidy, and flowering well into late summer. In fall, plants may be left standing for winter structure or cut back once foliage declines. A full cutback in early spring, just before new growth emerges, helps reset the plant for the season ahead.

Overwintering

Nepeta requires no special overwintering care within its recommended hardiness range. In colder climates, proper drainage is essential to prevent crown rot during freeze-thaw cycles. A light mulch applied after the ground freezes can offer added protection without trapping excess moisture. Healthy, well-drained plants reliably return each spring with renewed vigor.

Common Pests

Nepeta is exceptionally resistant to pests thanks to its aromatic foliage. Deer, rabbits, and most insects tend to avoid it entirely, making it a dependable choice for wildlife-prone areas. Its natural resistance reduces the need for chemical controls and supports a low-maintenance garden.

Common Diseases

Disease problems are rare, with root rot being the primary concern in poorly drained soils. Providing full sun, sharp drainage, and avoiding excess water or fertilizer prevents nearly all issues. When grown in appropriate conditions, nepeta remains healthy, long-lived, and trouble-free.

Common Mistakes 

One of the most common mistakes gardeners make with Nepeta is overwatering, especially once plants are established. Constantly moist soil leads to weak growth, reduced flowering, and an increased risk of root rot. Another frequent issue is planting nepeta in too much shade, which causes plants to stretch, flop, and produce fewer blooms. Skipping midseason pruning is also a missed opportunity—without a light shear after the first bloom, plants can look tired and bloom less vigorously later in the season. Providing full sun, sharp drainage, and simple seasonal trimming prevents nearly all performance issues.

Common Misconceptions

A widespread misconception is that all nepeta aggressively attracts cats; in reality, many ornamental varieties have little effect compared to true catnip (Nepeta cataria). Another misunderstanding is that nepeta is a short-lived or fragile perennial, when it is actually long-lived and extremely durable in the right conditions. Some gardeners also assume it needs rich soil and frequent feeding, but Nepeta performs best in lean soils with minimal input. Understanding what Nepeta truly needs allows it to thrive with far less effort than many traditional perennials.

Using Nepeta in the Garden

Nepeta is a versatile garden plant valued for its soft texture, long bloom season, and ability to thrive in tough, sunny locations. Its flowing habit and cool-toned flowers make it easy to use as an edging plant, groundcover, or filler that ties garden designs together naturally.

Borders & Edging

Nepeta excels as a border and edging plant, where its soft form spills gently over paths and garden edges. It creates a polished yet natural look and requires very little upkeep. Its mounding habit helps soften hard lines from stone, concrete, and brick while visually connecting nearby plantings. Even when not in bloom, the tidy foliage maintains structure and keeps borders looking intentional rather than bare.

Pollinator Gardens

Catmint is a true pollinator powerhouse with an exceptionally long bloom season. Its flowers provide consistent nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects from late spring through summer. Because it blooms when many plants pause between cycles, nepeta helps maintain steady pollinator activity throughout the growing season. Its drought tolerance also makes it a reliable nectar source during hot, dry periods when other plants may struggle.

Companion Planting

Nepeta pairs beautifully with Roses, Salvia, Coneflowers, Sedum, and Lavender. Its cool-toned flowers balance warmer colors and help unify mixed plantings. The airy foliage also improves airflow around neighboring plants, reducing disease pressure while enhancing overall garden texture. This compatibility makes nepeta an ideal filler plant that supports both aesthetics and plant health without competing for resources.

Nepeta Delivers Effortless Beauty

Looking to grow Nepeta in your garden beds or borders? At Garden Delivery, we offer a carefully selected range of ornamental Catmint varieties chosen for long bloom time, compact growth, and exceptional garden performance. These hardy perennials thrive in full sun, tolerate drought, and return year after year with minimal care. Whether you’re lining a walkway, filling a sunny slope, or building a pollinator-friendly border, Nepeta is a reliable, low-maintenance favorite.