Perennial
Catmint
Nepeta × faassenii
A haze of lavender-blue from late spring to frost. Shear once midsummer to rebloom. Nearly unkillable.
- Pollinator
- Deer-resistant
- Fragrant
Quick facts
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–8
- Water
- Low once established
- Sun
- Full sun to Part sun
- Size
- 12–30 in. tall × 18–36 in. wide
- Bloom & interest
- Lavender-blue spikes from late spring into fall; reblooms after shearing
- Plant type
- Perennial
- Native range
- Not native to the US (non-invasive garden plant)
Why we recommend it
Bulletproof, months-long lavender-blue bloom, universally available, and a pollinator magnet that shears back for repeat flowering across nearly every US climate. 'Walker's Low' (2007 Perennial Plant of the Year) is the go-to selection.
Best regions: Front RangeGreat BasinHigh DesertTexasSouthern California
How to grow it
Watering to establish
Water weekly the first summer; once established it needs only an occasional deep soak in long dry spells.
Pruning
Shear the whole plant back by about half after the first flush fades to trigger a second bloom; cut old stems to a few inches in early spring.
Soil
Average to lean, well-drained soil. Rich soil and extra water make it sprawl and flop open in the middle.
Pairs well with
Read more
Where to buy
Shop Catmint from trusted growers. For the best selection of xeric plants, try a mail-order specialist or ask a local independent nursery.
- High Country Gardens (opens in a new tab)Xeric specialist
- Nature Hills Nursery (opens in a new tab)Wide selection
- American Meadows (opens in a new tab)Perennials & seeds
- Etsy (opens in a new tab)Small growers
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Xeriscaping.com may earn a commission at no cost to you. We only list plants we'd actually plant. Affiliate disclosure