Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii)

common name: 
Catmint
 | 
scientific name: 
Nepeta
 
× faassenii
Purple and blue flowering stems in a green garden setting.

Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii) in bloom, displaying soft lavender-blue flowers above aromatic gray-green foliage in southeast Nebraska on April 26, 2026. 

Image Creadit: 
Trey Lamkins, Graduate Research Assistant

Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii) is a durable, long-blooming perennial widely valued for its soft, informal texture and exceptional adaptability in the landscape. Its spikes of lavender-blue flowers appear in late spring and often continue through summer, especially when lightly sheared after the first flush of bloom. The aromatic, gray-green foliage adds additional ornamental interest and is highly resistant to deer and rabbits. Catmint thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, performing particularly well in dry or challenging sites where other perennials may struggle.

Charecteristics
Plant type: 
Herbaceous perennial
Hardiness Zones: 
3, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 7, 8
Light Needs: 
Full Sun
Water Needs: 
Dry
Space Requirements: 
3–6 feet
Height Requirements: 
2–4 feet
Spread Requirements: 
3–4 feet
Bloom Color: 
Lavender
Purple
Bloom Time: 
Spring
Summer
Leaf Color: 
Grey/Silver
Green
Wildlife Attraction: 
Butterflies
Companion Plant Tolerance: 
Deer
Drought
Clay Soil
Dry Soil
Uses: 
Ground Cover
Naturalize
Rain Garden
Varieties
‘Cat’s Pajamas’

‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a compact, early-blooming cultivar known for its dense habit and heavy flower production from the base of the plant to the tips. It offers a tidy appearance and extended bloom period, making it ideal for smaller spaces and formal plantings.

‘Walker’s Low’

‘Walker’s Low’ is one of the most popular catmint cultivars, prized for its vigorous growth, long blooming season, and arching habit. Despite its name, it typically grows 2–3 feet tall and spreads widely, making it excellent for massing and borders.