Cat mint typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
cat mint
Nepeta racemosa
Cat mint (Nepeta racemosa) is a fragrant perennial herb that bears blue, purple, or white flowers. It is a member of the Lamiaceae family and is found in temperate regions around the world, from Europe to Asia. The aromatic foliage gives off a distinctive minty scent and is attractive to cats, so it’s not surprising that catmint is commonly planted in gardens. This low-maintenance perennial requires little care, and can even cope with drought. It can be propagated through division or cuttings and is known to attract bees and butterflies. Catmint is widely used as an herbal medicine to treat respiratory problems like asthma. It can also be dried and used to prepare tea or added to salads.
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.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Cat mint typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
