The vulgar name catmint bear on to a number of species in theNepetagenus of herbaceous perennials in the mint family .
Catnip ( Nepeta cataria ) is a long - used medicinal herbaceous plant that drives kitten waste , while other species , includingN. mussinii(syn . N. racemosa),N. nervosa , N. grandiflora , andN.xfaasseniiare attractive landscape gardening plants .
They have many law of similarity , and their usual names are even used interchangeably sometimes , which may be why they are so often disordered .
ButN. catariais a trenchant specie with notable divergence .
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Continue reading to learn how to tell them apart .
What You’ll Learn
Difference Between Catnip and Catmint
It is true that catnip and species unremarkably known as catmint have quite a flock in common . They are low-pitched criminal maintenance perennial that grow inUSDA Hardiness Zones3 to 9 , and thrive in full to part Dominicus .
Both attract pollinator and other type ofbeneficial insects , making them useful companion flora , and both are well suitable for containers or border .
So what coiffure them apart ?
N. cataria , commonly called catnip , is a industrial plant that ’s renowned for attracting African tea . It contains a chemic chemical compound cry nepetalactone that cause that characteristic euphory in our feline booster .
OtherNepetaspecies also arrest nepetalactone , but in much lower assiduousness .
It is also commonly used in herbal medicine , and can be made into a console afternoon tea for relieve symptoms of stomach upset and other complaint .
To identify catnip , count for toothed gray-headed - green warmheartedness - work parting , and small whitened or clean pink flowers that grow on spikes . The square stems are also cover in inadequate hairs .
Rather weedy in appearance , it grows in untidy clumps a few feet tall and wide , and has a tendency to spread . You canlearn all about develop catnip in our guide .
On the other deal , If you are looking for something attractive and neat to fill a flower seam , N.mussinii(syn . N.racemosa ) is a better wager . This is the mintage you ’ll typically see listed generically as “ catmint . ”
This species is a low - growing ornamental , typically achieve only about a foot in stature .
It also has white-haired - green foliage , but with a goodish outgrowth habit , and it features clusters of vivacious lilac - colored peak that bloom continuously throughout the summer .
It is thoroughgoing for a molding , to produce a colorful edge along a path , or as a ground cover in a flower bed .
Caucasus or giant catmint , N. grandiflora , has an upright growth use with a ripe height of two to three substructure , with a spread of up to two ft .
This species features purple - bluish or pinkish peak , calculate on the cultivar , and grey-haired - greenish , slenderly fuzzy leafage .
N. nervosais easy to recognise from Nepeta cataria thanks to its green leave and mound growth habit . It has a mature height of one to one and a half foot and a similar spread , and lavender blue-blooded flowers .
N.xfaassenii , orFaassen ’s catmint , is an award - winningN. mussiniihybrid with a compact mounding emergence habit and small but showy blossom that is grow in the main as an ornamental .
As this hybrid is unfertile , it wo n’t spread and take over your garden .
Your cats may enjoy munching on Nepeta cataria , but they wo n’t typically go haywire the way they do for catnip .
Where to Buy
When purchasing plants or seeds , be trusted to go over for the botanical name to check that you have the veracious mintage .
If you desire to grow catnip for your feline companion , you ’ll need to prefer forN. cataria .
N. cataria
you’re able to purchaseN. catariaseeds in packets of 100from Earthbeat Seeds .
For the ornamental varieties which contain less nepetalactone , select from one of the following species and cultivars :
N. mussinii
Eden BrothershasN. mussiniiseeds uncommitted for leverage in packets and software program ranging up to a fourth - pound in size .
N. nervosa‘Blue Moon ’ is a striking cultivar with lavender flowers . Seeds areavailable from dead on target Leaf Market .
N. nervosa‘Blue Moon ’
AnotherN. nervosacultivar , ‘ Pink Cat ’ feature bright pinkish flowers for a colorful addition to your herbaceous plant garden or repeated border .
N. nervosa‘Pink Cat ’
you may find ‘ Pink Cat ’ seedsavailable from dead on target Leaf Market .
If you would choose to grow sterileN.xfaassenii , a notable cultivar is ‘ Walker ’s Low . ’ It produces a profuseness of undimmed blue flowers on good silvery - gullible stems .
Contrary to what it ’s name paint a picture , this cultivar grows to a fledged height and width of one to two feet .
N.xfaassenii‘Walker ’s Low ’
you could find plants in # 1 containersavailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
Still unsure about which plant to choose ? Check ourguide to growing plants in theNepetagenus for more selective information .
Nip or Mint? Both Are the Cat’s Pajamas
While it may seem perplexing at first glimpse , there are clear clues that will facilitate you to tell these plants apart . Catnip is the best selection for medicinal usage ( or CT ! ) while catmint are superior for decorative plantings .
And even if you get mixed up , you ca n’t really go faulty . Both are wonderful herb for the home garden !
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© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . intersection photos via Botanical Interests , Earthbeat Seeds , Eden Brothers , Nature Hills Nursery , and True Leaf Market . Uncredited photograph : Shutterstock . With extra authorship and editing by Clare Groom .
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Heather Buckner
