cat mint
Nepeta racemosa
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flowers:
Pale lilac to deep violet Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Low
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Cat mint should generally be watered approximately twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Water deeply until it begins to flow out of the drainage hole in the pot. Monitor the soil and if it appears dry, water more often. However, do not let the plant sit in water longer than 30 minutes. During the summer months, more frequent watering may be required. If the soil is extremely dry, soak it for 30 minutes and then discard the excess water. During the winter months, water sparingly and only when the soil moisture is low.
sunlight
Cat mint plants prefer to grow in areas that get full sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. In some cases, they can get by with 4 to 5 hours of sunlight They do best in areas that receive direct sunlight in the morning and shaded areas in the afternoon. During the summer months, they should get plenty of light and can even tolerate a few hours of direct sunlight in the afternoon. During the winter months, the amount of sunlight should be reduced, as the plants prefer cooler temperatures and indirect sunlight..
pruning
Cat mint should be pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Prune back about 1-third of the entire bush for basic maintenance. Removing dead, old, or diseased branches promotes air circulation and helps prevent disease. Cut stems back to just above a leaf set or just above a set of leaves, leaving at least 3 sets of leaves. When flowering has finished in early summer, re-prune lightly to tidy up and re-invigorate the bush.