Species nepeta
light-purple flowers with brown-green foliage and stems

nepeta

Nepeta faassenii 'Kit Cat'

Nepeta faassenii 'Kit Cat' is a lovely, fragrant perennial. It has clusters of lavender-blue tubular flowers, which are attractive to bees and butterflies, from late spring through summer, on bright green foliage. 'Kit Cat' is a milder version of its bigger cousin, Catmint, and it is pest resistant, drought tolerant and easy to care for. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and can be used in a variety of garden settings, including waterside gardens and rock walls. This herb has a myriad of uses, including tea, flavoring, and even as a natural insect repellant. 'Kit Cat' is sure to bring cheer to any garden.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 8

Flowers:

Blue Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver,green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Nepeta faassenii 'Kit Cat' should be watered regularly to keep its soil lightly moist. Water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry to the touch, usually once or twice a week. Reduce watering during winter months when the plant goes dormant. When the soil is too dry, the leaves will start to curl and turn yellow - a sign that your Nepeta wants some water.

sunlight

Nepeta (Nepeta faassenii 'Kit Cat') needs full sun for at least 6 hours a day, while partial shade in the afternoon may be beneficial in some climates. They will grow best in climates with sunny and dry summers and mild and wet winters. While they will tolerate partial shade, nepetas will not tolerate deep shade at any time during the growing season, so make sure they get plenty of light.

pruning

Pruning for nepeta, or Nepeta faassenii ‘Kit Cat’, should be done in late winter or early spring. Begin by trimming back tall flower stems to within 2 to 3 inches of the base of the plant. This will encourage new growth and create a bushy, shorter appearance. For a more compact growth habit, give the plant a light trim once the flowering period is over. If you wish, apply a slow-release fertilizer, such as an all-purpose blend, over the soil around the plant to promote foliage and flowering.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Nepeta faassenii 'Kit Cat' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Nepeta faassenii 'Kit Cat' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map