‘Cataria’ catmint is a herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. It originated in Europe and Asia. It came to be called catmint owing to having a strong scent that cats find attractive. ‘Cataria’ catmint requires good drainage and full sun to part shade but tolerates many soil types. The plant is resistant to drought, dry soil, and air pollution but is somewhat intolerant of heat and humidity, so give it some afternoon shade. Shear flower spikes after initial flowering to promote continued bloom. Propagate by division or seed. As a culinary herb, the minty-flavored leaves may be chopped and added to soups, stews, sauces, vegetables, or pasta. ‘Cataria’ catmint is a pollinator plant for honey bees as well as other bees, insects, and butterflies. Plant this fast growing low maintenance deer resistant perennial in a cottage, sensory, herb, or children's garden. Host plant for the larvae of both the Hermit sphinx ( Lintneria eremitus ) and the False crocus geometer ( Xanthotype urticaria ) moths. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The plant can become weedy, so consider growing it in a container. Many cats are attracted to ‘Cataria’ catmint, but it can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It makes some cats sedated and others stimulated. VIDEO Created by Homegrown featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum More information on Nepeta .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Aromatic, coarsely-toothed, triangular to ovate, grey-green leaves (to 3" long). Leaves are downy which gives it a grey-green appearance.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Edible; Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme; Spike
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The upper stems terminate in dense whorls of flowers on spike-like racemes about 1-6" long. The flowers are small, two-lipped, white with pale purple spotting tubular flowers and bloom May through September.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Square stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe and Asia
Distribution
Naturalized throughout
Wildlife value
Cats love it. The nectar of the flowers attracts long-tongued bees primarily, including honey bees, bumblebees, cuckoo bees (Epeolus spp., Triepeolus spp.), long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), and leaf-cutting bees (Megachile spp.). Other visitors that occasionally visit the flowers include Halictid bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, and skippers. The foliage is one of the food sources for the caterpillars of such moths as Sphinx eremitus (Hermit Sphinx) and the polyphagous Xanthotype urticaria (False Crocus Geometer).