Catmint is an easy plant to grow and is ideally suited to planting in a cottage garden. Catmint 'Purrsian Blue', Garden Caminth 'Purrsian Blue', PP24788. container.style.maxWidth = container.style.minWidth + 'px'; Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems though it can be a bit weedy. container.appendChild(ins); In The Green Pharmacy, renowned ethnobotanist James Duke writes that catnip may be helpful for preventing cataracts, promoting sleep, and for treating amenorrhea. Check out this blog post to learn more about this versatile herb. It can grow up to 30 tall, with fragrant spires of dark grey-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers which bloom in the summer. Some people drink catnip tea to relieve digestive problems, but some people may not tolerate it well. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Click on the link to see the current price on Amazon. If you suspect that your child has eaten a large amount of Catmint, contact your doctor for information on a treatment plan. An annual application of pelletized manure in early spring is usually more than enough. This page contains affiliate links to products on Amazon. The tough plants are easy to grow and low maintenance, use them in borders with other perennials or as an informal edging as an alternative to lavender. Their rich flavor and texture make them versatile additions to recipes, either as a side. After they are well-established, they can be transplanted into your garden after the last danger of frost has passed. Lastly, catmint has mild sedative effects, so avoid consumption before driving and two weeks before any scheduled surgery. Some plants work well together, and others just don't. We are taking a deep dive into these "good neighbor" plants, what works well together, and what should be avoided but more importantly, we're explaining why these things may have positive or . Find locations near you that offer Proven Winners products. Catmint; Peppermint. Nepeta grandiflora is related to true catnip (Nepeta cataria), but the leaves are lusher and the flowers are purple instead of white/pink. It is a drought-tolerant plant that produces attractive foliage and blue flowers throughout the summer. Effect: For infected wounds and bellyache, respectively. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Water catmint plants regularly until they become well established. Additionally, I am a bit confused with the fact that catmint would be loved by cats, when it is actually catnip they love. The plant may need the occasional water in dry period and a trim at the end of the season to tidy up plant, however, this is entirely optional. N. x faassenii, an N. racemosa hybrid also known as Faassen's catmint, is a compact mounding hybrid with small but attractive lavender flowers.It is also grown primarily for its ornamental value. They are even heat and drought tolerant, making them excellent plants for dry garden areas. Catmint is an aromatic herb that is commonly grown in the garden. (Like pine and spruce! Catmint can also be brewed into tea or used as a garnish for cocktails. Catmint is also attractive to bees and other pollinators. Catmint - The Ultimate Growing Guide from Proven Winners. Description. Just go take a look at it for yourself before accepting someones offer of catnip or catmint, because odds are they dont know the difference between them! Please consult a licensed professional concerning any health condition. This only comes from ingesting large amounts of the leaves or stem. The plant is known for its fragrant leaves, which can be used to flavor food or make a tea. If you want more, you can take divisions from the original plant after a couple of years and transplant them to other parts of the garden. Catmint is valuable for its medicinal value, which comes from compounds it contains. Lastly, it has anti-inflammatory effects, so it can also be used to treat arthritis, hemorrhoids, and bug bites. Even so, the catmint and catnip names often get used interchangeably as though they referred to a single herb. It works well in containers, planted along walkways, or nestled between rocks in a rock garden. Overfertilizing can cause fewer flowers or plants to flop. Get more practical ways to live greener and healthier delivered straight to your inbox! Those that do are more likely to roll around in the leaves than to eat them as they do with catnip. lo.observe(document.getElementById(slotId + '-asloaded'), { attributes: true }); The flowers of the catmint plant are also edible and can be added to salads or used as a garnish. Is catmint the same as lavender?Both catmint and lavender are members of the mint family (Lamiaceae), but belong to different genera (Nepeta vs. Lavendula). Catmint could also help to relieve stomach pain and menstrual cramps too. "knowsAbout": ["Edible Gardening, Plants, Gardening, Nurseries, Houseplants, Container Gardening, Landscape & Garden Design, Native Plants of North America, Seed Saving, Waterwise Planting, Seed & Plant Propagation, Sustainable Gardening"], Nepete is now known as Nepi. You may be . However, it does spread within your garden over time and does need to be controlled to some degree. Is Catnip Edible For Humans? I dont love the taste of fresh catnip on its own, though, so I usually combine it with lots of other herbs growing in my yard, including wild violets, yarrow, and lemon balm. This will promote new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too woody. Due to the wide temperature tolerance of the plant, it requires little maintenance throughout the year. 'Early Bird' Flowers/Leaves - March 28 - Wake Co., NC. It is common for gardeners to simply purchased a plant from the local garden center to start off as they multiply relatively quickly. Dried catnip makes for a mintier and more pleasant tea if you want to try it on its own, without other herbs. You can use catmint tea as a sleep aid or as a tea to treat anxiety. Cut the plant down to 2-3 inches above ground level and tie the stems together in small bundles. You also dont need to bother with fertilizer too much, just once or twice a year will do. If you want to try catnip tea or add catnip to your evening tea blends, you can grow it yourself or buy it dried and ready to use. Continue with Recommended Cookies. You can also enjoy the mint leaves in the form of herbal teas and other cold beverages. Use a low-growing catmint variety as an edging plant along a pathway for color all summer long. Flowers are usually white, sometimes with a pinkish tinge. Discover 750+ spicy recipes and hundreds of pepper profiles, comparisons, cooking tips + more. Once planted the seeds will take 7 to 14 days to germinate and they will require a further 4 weeks or so before they reach the point where they are large enough to plant outside. ), buy a plant start at a nursery, or grow it from seed. Watering: Provide regular water during the first growing season. Mass Planting. A list of the more common varieties of Nepetafaassenii are provided below; In addition to Nepetafaassenii there are also several other species from the same genus that are useful alternatives in the garden if the soil conditions are not ideal. Catmint (Nepeta cataria) is a herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family. It rapidly forms a clump 18 to 24 inches tall and spreading as much as 36 inches wide that blooms from spring into summer. Catmint is not toxic to children. Required fields are marked *. Perhaps its higher concentration of cat-attracting nepetalactone also explains catnips medicinal benefits for humans. As for humans, the catmint plant is edible and has a history of human consumption over the years in counties like England and China. Is catmint edible for humans? Noted for its neat and tidy habit, Nepeta faassenii 'Purrsian Blue' (Catmint) is a compact herbaceous perennial forming a dense, rounded clump of small, aromatic, gray-green leaves all season long. Insomnia and anxiety: Gently sedative. Container planting helps because it makes it easier to control. Flowers and leaves are both edible. Plant catmint alongside other plants with similar cultural needs of full sun and good drainage. NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to Over time, deer can become used to the smell of repellents; consider rotating brands and types to maintain effectiveness. If you love the classic combination of lavender and roses but find lavender too finicky to grow in this area, catmint is a good substitute. A reliable long-lived perennial, catmint (Nepeta) is a member of the mint family. Your email address will not be published. Deadheading spent blooms promotes additional flowering. Overcrowded plants can lead to powdery mildew or leaf spot, especially in hot, humid climates. The leaves can be added to salads, soups, or stews for flavor. These plants are good for mass planting or edging and are suitable near vegetables as an insect deterrent especially for aphids and Japanese beetles. // ]]> A number of plants within the Nepeta genus are known as catnip or catmint. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Keep up to date with the latest healthy living tips! They wont go as crazy for catmint as they would for catnip. As the flowers start to blossom, gather the leaves, trimming the top leaves, stems, and flowers if you like. "url": "https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-jmzfi5zcr2/images/stencil/344x56/new_plant_addicts_logo_1649688464__46914.original.png" var alS = 1021 % 1000; Rose-purple calyxes extend the color past peak bloom. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. One way to avoid any seed disturbance is to water the tray from below by the tray sitting it in water for a few minutes. Author Robbin Small - Published 7-14-2022. Eurasia, Macaronesia to Eastern Tropical Africa, Herbal teas from leaves. The plant's nicknames, catnip, catmint or catwort are no doubt inspired by cat's well-known taste for the plants. Stop drinking catnip tea if it continues to cause an upset stomach after a few uses. "dateModified": "2023-03-25" This study of 72 patients with depression given Nepeta menthoides suggests it may have use as an anti-depressant. While the two plants are similar, there are important distinctions. The plant spreads rapidly by runners and can become invasive if not controlled. Like catnip, catmint is edible. These Walker's Low catmint plants can easily reach 30 inches in height from ground to top of flower stalk, and grows to be about 36-40 inches wide. "alumniOf": [{ To identify catnip vs catmint: Catnip has a more upright, rangy growth habit and larger leaves than catmint. Blue catmint is an herbaceous perennial, ground cover native to Europe and in the Lamiaceae (mint) family. Ditto for butterflies. Fall, Spring, Summer. If you dont want your garden overrun with felines, plant catmint instead, which is much less attractive to them. Catmint tea has a refreshing taste and is said to be good for indigestion and headaches. Catmint is a close relative of catnip, a herb that holds a strong appeal for cats. It's also good for respiratory problems such as chest congestion or cold. The Nepeta genus to which catmint belongs gets its name from the city of Nepete in Etruria. It is native to Europe and Asia, and has naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America. Catmint is usually grown from seed and sown in the garden during spring, spaced 12" apart. Despite being known for its effects on felines, cats aren't the only ones who can enjoy catmint. Basic care of catmint is easy. The plant produces small, lavender-colored flowers that bloom in the summertime. Ground Cinnamon Vs. Cinnamon Stick How Do They Compare. ins.style.display = 'block'; "name": "Robbin Small", With all the confusion about names, most searches for whether catmint is edible will take you to a post actually describing catnip, which definitely is edible and has many studied medicinal uses. Both the Latin name and scientific names are derived from the inability of cats to resist the aroma of this plant. Hi! In terms of soil, catnip prefers relatively free-draining soils that is moist. Catnip is one of the more useful herbs for sleep you can grow yourself. Your email address will not be published. Find out more and grab your copy here. "Name": "University of Minnesota Twin Cities"}] As a garden plant, catmint acts as a repellent for certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. This study looked at similar traditional uses of different catmints in various parts of the world. But i have one question.. 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