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Catmint plant produces aromatic gray-green foliage and upright flower spikes in shades of lavender-blue, pink or white. It has small tubular flowers attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators on this catmint plant. These perennials send up square, erect, and branched stems like the rest of their Mint-family relatives, averaging 1 to 3 feet high. Its quick growth and resistance make it ideal for planting from spring to early fall.

To maximize growth and flowering, ensure they receive bright, indirect light and well draining soil with consistent but moderate watering to prevent root rot. With proper care and maintenance a Bee balm plant can live up 2 to 5 years, making it a timeless addition of indoor gardening.

Catmint plant prefers

• Scientific name: Nepeta cataria
• Family : Mint
• Plant type : Perennial
• Length : 12 to 36 inchs
• Temperature : 50 to 80 degree Fahrenheit
• Humidity : Low to high
• Sun exposure : At least 6 hours direct light
• Soil type : Well draining
• Soil pH : 6.0-7.5
• Blooming time : Late Spring
• Flower colour : Lavender
• Toxicity : Non toxic

Catmint plant care: How to grow this plant

Adequate amounts of light, water, soil, temperature, humidity and fertiliser should be obtained for the plant to grow healthy. This article will help you with all the essentials you need to grow your plant.

If you want to know about the bee balm plant care.

Light

Catmint plant grows best in a location that receives bright, direct sunlight each day. This plant can handle partial shade but your plants are likely to become leggy over time. Too much light can cause leaves to turning yellow. Place your catnip container near a bright, south-facing window where it can get unobstructed rays.

Water

This plant is drought tolerant so mature catmint handles dry weather easily and rarely needs extra water.Water deeply only after 2 to 3 weeks of no rain or during severe summer heat. Early watering gives the plant time to absorb moisture before the hot sun causes evaporation.This plant is sensitive so it’s recommended to use filtered or purified water.

Soil

Catmint grow best in a sunny spot with well-draining soil for the best blooms and mounding shape. This plant grows easily in most soil types, including rocky or clay soil, which makes it simple to understand how to grow catmint.  It handles mildly acidic soil down to about 5.0 but extreme acidity (below 4.0) can block nutrient absorption.

Temperature & Humidity

Catmint plant prefers temperature between 55-85 degree Fahrenheit. This temperature is the optimal range for healthy daily growth.The plant easily handles light and hard frosts during autumn.

The moderate humidity level is 40-70%. If you want to healthy plant then maintain the humidity level. High humid or wet air causes the plant to struggle and invites fungal diseases.Winter heating can dry out indoor air. 

Fertiliser

The one thing that you apply to your plants outside is fertilizer. There are essential things you need to make such as how much temperature you need, if it is too much, you need to shift the pot to another place, how much soil mix you need.Catmint does best with little or no supplemental fertilizer. Mulch new plants around the base with a thin layer of compost. Overfertilizing can cause fewer flowers or plants to flop. 

Types of Catmint plant

• True Catnip : This plant produce white to purple flowers .
• Nepeta citriodora : It is also known as Lemon Catnip. This plant grows slightly smaller than Nepeta cataria and also has lemoany fragrance.
• Nepeta parnassica: This plant is also known as Greek catnip. It is also remains smaller than 2 feet tall and wide and bears light pink flowers.

Propagation of Catmint plant

Catmint plant propagate by division method.Choose a healthy mother plant to propagate it. The best way to propagate your plant is root division. Avoid dividing Catmint too late in the summer or fall.Divide the plant in spring by slicing a section with shoots and good roots vertically with a spade. If the plant is large, divide it into smaller sections, replant them at the same depth in compost-amended soil, and keep well-watered until new growth appears.

Pruning of Catmint plant that make it healthier

Pruning is the essential part of its care that keeps your plant healthy and encourage lush growth. Trimming your plant for new growth to produce more new branches. Early Spring is the best time for pruning and cut the dead, hollow stems down to about 2-3 inches above the soil level. Pruning catmint too early when the plant is not yet fully dormant will encourage new growth, which is susceptible to cold damage.Deadheading spent flowers throughout the season encourages more prolific blooms.

Repotting of Catmint plant

Catmint plant grow best in Spring and requires regular repotting and should only be transplanted once it has outgrown its previous container. This plant potted every 2 to 3 years in the Spring only when it becomes tightly root bound. If the plant is root bound invite fungal infection that kill the plant. Use a pot only 1–2 inches larger than the current root ball, ensuring it has drainage holes. Keep your plant with proper care and wait a week before watering after repotting because a risk of root rot. Carefully remove the excess amount of soil from the root before placing this plant in a new container.

Facing some common problem of Catmint plant

1. Catmint plant leaves turn yellow when the plant is overwatering. It should be removed immediately so thar plant does not start to rot.
2. The most common garden catmint problems are flopping after flowering, powdery mildew, root and crown rot, cats rolling and crushing plants. A white, powdery fungus grows on leaves in humid or crowded spots. Prune neighboring plants to increase airflow.
3. Neighborhood cats love to roll in and crush tender catmint. 

Benefits of Catmint plant

• This plant requires low maintenance and drought tolerant once roots grow deep and needs poor to average soil.
• The strong scent helps keep away deer, rabbits, and certain insects like mosquitoes.
• Many cat loves catmint because it contains Nepetalactone, it is natural compound that triggers playful euphoria or relaxed sleepiness.

Catmint plant Faq

1. What are the disadvantages of Catmint?

Ans. Some older types can also self-seed easily. To tackle these issues, choose a compact variety that doesn’t produce seeds and trim the plant in mid-summer to refresh its appearance.

2. Can you plant catmint and lavender together?

Ans. Yes, catmint and lavender can be planted together. Both belong to the mint family. 

3. When to plant catmint?
Ans. For proper catmint care, plant in the garden during the cooler months of spring or fall after all danger of frost is past.