Cat Mint

How to grow Cat Mint

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant or sow in spring in a sunny, well-drained spot. It is coarser and taller than the ornamental catmints grown for edging, so treat it as a herb-garden or informal border plant rather than a front-of-border filler.

Pruning

Cut back by about a third after the first flush of flower for a second, tidier flowering. Cut down to the base in autumn or leave stems until early spring.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring, or take cuttings in early summer. It self-seeds readily and seedlings appear around the parent plant.

Pests and diseases

Few problems. The most common damage is from cats rolling on and flattening the plant.

Value to wildlife

A heavily worked bee plant over a long midsummer season, drawing bumblebees and honeybees. Also attracts cats, which may or may not be what you want.

Notes

Protect young plants with a low cage of twigs or wire until they are established, or cats will destroy them. Self-seeding can be prolific, so cut back before seed sets if that matters.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Nepeta cataria but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Nepeta