If you want to try it, go to your local nursery and ask for catmint - for some reason its called catmint when you talk about planting it, but catnip . Tea made from the leaves and flowers can be used for calming nerves and relieving coughs, congestion, and menstrual cramps. Do you grow catmint or catnip? Learn how your comment data is processed. ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; Basic care of catmint is easy. For containers, use a high quality all-purpose potting mix. Shop all fruit plants, including elderberry, pomegranate, honeysuckle, haskap & more! Catmint tea has a refreshing taste and is said to be good for indigestion and headaches. All parts of the plant are considered safe for animal consumption, but only certain parts of the plant are safe for human consumption. I draw on numerous health sources, some of which are linked above. For most species, these flowers are produced in late spring and early summer and usually last for several months. Order mixed annual combinations ready to plant in your containers. Heres how to tell spruce vs fir vs pine if youre curious.). Probably not. Catmint's spreading form makes it a good choice for meadows, naturalized areas, and cottage gardens. Catnip is one of the more useful herbs for sleep you can grow yourself. Catmint (nepeta faassenii or mussinii) is more ornamental with pretty purple flowers and has a bit of a cinnamony smell to its mint/catnip scent. There are a variety of different catmint plants, all of which are members of the mint family. Find out more and grab your copy here. Catmint; Peppermint. Catmint originated in Temperate Eurasia and Macaronesia to Eastern Tropical Africa. 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. Temperate. Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. They require plenty of space too and should be spaced (or thinned) to at least a foot (31 cm.) The damage is typically superficial unless you get a bad infestation, although the insects are capable of spreading plant pathogens. Catmint is better behaved and will stay where you put it. The small white or pale lavender blooms make a good substitute for baby's breath. Edible. Within the Catmint family, there is a number of cultivars that range in height from low growing border plants to small shrubs that reach a height of up 3 feet tall. As weve covered earlier, catmint is certainly a useful herb to have around. Some catnip-related products, toys, and situations can be dangerous if used improperly. Both plants attract bees and butterflies in the garden. To identify catnip vs catmint: Catnip has a more upright, rangy growth habit and larger leaves than catmint. Her first book, Everything Elderberry, released in September 2020 and has been a #1 new release in holistic medicine, naturopathy, herb gardening, and other categories. If they are planted early enough in the season it is likely that they will flower in the first season. This perennial plant originates in Europe and is found in the wild across the U.S and Canada. Plant in a curbside strip in combination with other drought-tolerant perennials such as lavender, salvia, agastache, sedums and ornamental grasses. The whole wild violet plant is edible. Consuming large quantities of catmint can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Catnip Plant Varieties: Growing Different Species Of Nepeta, Catmint Companion Plants: Tips On Planting Next To Catmint Herbs, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, How To Get Aloe Pups: Reasons For No Pups On Aloe Plants, Can You Grow Houseplants Together Tips For Growing Companion Houseplants, Fruit Tree Lichen And Moss Is Moss On A Fruit Tree Bad, Grapevine Wont Produce: How To Get Grapes On Vines, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. 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. Repellents can be used, although they need to be resprayed after heavy rains or lots of overhead watering. The plant produces small, lavender-colored flowers that bloom in the summertime. Stomach upset and temporary vomiting is the most common symptom. In. If you dont want your garden overrun with felines, plant catmint instead, which is much less attractive to them. Mulch your soil regularly to help keep the moisture retained. It is also a natural way to help repel fleas. This plant has very few problems. You can get catnip at Amazon as well, though it costs more. Caution is needed when planting some types of catmint plants, as they can be aggressive growers. Finally, catmint won't stimulate cats in the same way as catnip does. Remove the catmint plant from the nursery pot and tease out roots if potbound. This page contains affiliate links to products on Amazon. 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. Catmint isn't just a pretty face in the garden, it's an herb that can be used medicinally for a wide variety of ailments from arthritis to menstrual cramps. The most common way to use catnip medicinally is in herbal tea. Rose-purple calyxes extend the color past peak bloom. Alternatively, you can also eat young cat mints leaves. Spread out to dry in a cool, ventilated area and store the dried herb in an airtight container or bag to preserve its potency. Catmint (Nepeta) is a genus of perennial herbs in the mint family that also includes catnip (Nepeta cataria).They are extremely easy-to-grow plants with few pests or problems. But a few may be lethal if consumed in sufficient quantitiesand, The days grow shorter, and the weather chillier. You may be . N.C. Some people report that their cats show some interest in catmint. It is also an edible herb that can be used in a variety of dishes. For gardeners with cats, the main difference between catmint and catnip is that only the latter will stimulate cats and make them go crazy. It is a drought-tolerant plant that produces attractive foliage and blue flowers throughout the summer. var pid = 'ca-pub-5625333199759946'; Remove and crumble leaves and add to cat toys. Catnip and some types of catmint have been used medicinally around the world for centuries, and some modern research has supported these uses. Please share in the comments! Author Robbin Small - Published 7-14-2022. Is catmint edible for humans? Scientifically speaking, catnip tastes like ass. Therefore, surround it with a border edging or use containers (bottomless if in garden). Aside from relieving tension and improving sleep quality, this herb also offers other health benefits. What do you like to do with them? Catnip grows readily from seed and can be a bit weedy, having a tendency to spread easily by seed and popping up in odd places around the garden. However, as catmint does not spread by seed it can be controlled with a minimum of fuss. Catmint can also be made into a tincture or compress to help with bruises or insect bites.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stuffsure_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',184,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stuffsure_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'). Catnip (Nepeta cataria) has less ornamental value in the garden than its catmint (Nepeta mussinii) counterpart. It can also be found in some cosmetics and perfumes.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stuffsure_com-box-4','ezslot_4',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stuffsure_com-box-4-0'); Catmint is considered safe to ingest in small quantities. Heres how to make lemon balm tea, which is quite tasty with a little catnip, an excellent evening beverage to encourage relaxation and better sleep. Catmint can be grown in sun or partial shade with average, well-draining soil. Harvest the plant frequently to encourage bushy growth and prevent the plant from setting seed too early. "dateModified": "2023-03-25" "alumniOf": [{ Follow these steps and space plants 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the variety. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Many common herbs used for seasoning are also among cat-safe plants, including basil, dill, catmint, parsley and rosemary. Mulch new plants around the base with a thin layer of compost. It is a low-growing mounded plant with attractive, gray-green foliage. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains more of the compound called nepetalactone that cats find so attractive and its what youll most often find used in catnip treats and toys for cats. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); heres how to make a tincture from the Herbal Academy, Vitacost has the best price Ive found on bulk catnip, 45 Vegetables that Grow in Shade for Less Sunny Gardens, Easy DIY Bath Salts Recipe {Just 2 Ingredients & 2 Minutes! This variety has a more upright habit than other catmints and is well worth considering for your garden. Catmint is part of the mint family and has a light fragrance that wafts when the foliage is brushed or heated in the summer sun. Heres what to know about catnip vs catmint and which herb to use for medicinal benefits. The leaves can be added to salads, soups, or stews for flavor. As a garden plant, catmint acts as a repellent for certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. Catmint is drought tolerant and thrives on neglect, making it good for beginning gardeners, low-maintenance landscapes and water-wise borders. It has a very slight numbing effect on the tongue. "@type": "ImageObject", Flowers are usually white, sometimes with a pinkish tinge. Unlike its close relative catnip (both are members of the mint family), catmint is better behaved and much showier. However, the catmint will still do very well in lower quality soil, it is generally quite hardy and drought-resistant. Whats A Good Italian Seasoning Substitute? Given the choice between herbs and grass, however, cats are more likely . Catmint is an aromatic herb that is commonly grown in the garden. Whether you have a pet cat or not, having a catmint plant around will still benefit you immensely. Catmint can be used fresh or dried in a variety of dishes, and it is also sometimes used to make tea.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stuffsure_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stuffsure_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is a perennial herb in the mint family. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Your email address will not be published. Will catmint attract cats? Shop herbs plants including basil, mint, thyme, oregano, dill, chives & more. Catmint ( Nepeta mussinii ) is an aromatic perennial herb that is best known for its clusters of lavender blue flowers, often with subtle touches of the gorgeous violet color. Catmint prefers a location that gets at least 8 hours of sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. This overview of pharmacological uses around the world also reports that members of the Nepeta genus contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other properties and have been used to treat malaria, chickenpox, tuberculosis, measles, as well as respiratory, digestive, and other complaints. So confusing! Contrary to how the name sounds, this type of mint isn't made from cats. At the same time, it will protect your garden from harmful insects like ants and flea beetles as well as other pests like rats and mice. // ]]> The taste and scent are both relatively mild when compared to those of other mints. Spearmint. Mass a spreading type along a slope for easy-care, drought-tolerant erosion control. It works well in containers, planted along walkways, or nestled between rocks in a rock garden. 'Cat's Meow' Nepeta faassenii USPP 24,472, Can 5,098. Seeds Now carries seeds for both catnip and catmint. 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