Lavender or Catmint What Makes the Perfect Purple Edge? Additional catnip vs catmint photo credits: w-ings, ikuyan. It can be alarming to see your plant flattened by a cat, but Catmint will quickly recover after some pruning or propping back up with stakes. The damage is typically superficial unless you get a bad infestation, although the insects are capable of spreading plant pathogens. Catmint is Nepeta faassenii; catnip is Nepeta cataria. The small, oval leaves are grey-green in color and have a strong minty scent. As a garden plant, catmint acts as a repellent for certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. It's slightly bitter, smokey, and a bit oily. Given that it looks similar to mint and has mint in the name is actually edible like common mint? }, 12 Uses for Lemon Balm, a Delicious Medicinal Herb. This plant is edible and it even has some medicinal benefits for us too. Im going to get my hands on some additional herbal medicine books and see if I can find anyone else confirming catmints rather than catnips edibility. Catnip leaves contain a compound called nepetalactone. Please see our privacy policy for more details. The whole wild violet plant is edible. Some people or pets may have reactions to the oils on the foliage and may experience contact dermatitis. Its delicious minty taste makes it great to use in cooking and as an herbal medicine. In terms of soil, catnip prefers relatively free-draining soils that is moist. Growth Stage. Catmint, Nepetafaassenii, is a popular plant in the cottage garden. Catmint can be used fresh, dried, or frozen for both culinary and herbal use. Fertilizing: Catmint does best with little or no supplemental fertilizer. [amazon_link asins=B00TZANB0W,B004HQ3PKK template=ProductCarousel store=spiceography-20 marketplace=US link_id=547a598a-0f08-11e9-8af9-d9e608341f1f]. Have you heard that there are medicinal benefits of catnip or is it catmint? Just like other mint family plants, Catmint is edible and not considered toxic for humans or pets. You also dont need to bother with fertilizer too much, just once or twice a year will do. The plant produces a mass of flowers that are most commonly purple but there are also varieties that have pink, white, and yellow flowers. Catmint can also be brewed into tea or used as a garnish for cocktails. Once youre familiar with these traits, youll never have trouble telling the difference between catnip and catmint again. The reason for this is that the division at that time will not interrupt the flowering of the plant. Catmint plays well with others. As the flowers start to blossom, gather the leaves, trimming the top leaves, stems, and flowers if you like. These include Nepeta grandiflora (native to Caucasus), Nepeta sibirica (native to Siberia), and Nepeta racemosa (native to the Caucasus and Turkey). Fresh, dried, or frozen catmint can be used in cooking or as a tea. Catmint flowers are lavender. How to plant: Catmint flowers best in full sun to partial shade, preferring some afternoon shade in warmer climates. This American variety of wild mint is edible and can be eaten either fresh or cooked into dishes that add a beautiful aroma and pleasant taste. Harvest leaves as flowers begin to bloom, cutting the top leaves, stems, and flowers if desired. The leaves of catmint can be used fresh or dried in teas, potpourris, sachets, and herbal pillows. Catnip flowers are typically white. This study looked at a combination of lemon balm and Nepeta menthoides and found it helped with insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Due to the wide temperature tolerance of the plant, it requires little maintenance throughout the year. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Catnip is also considered useful in companion planting. or so apart. It is less picky about its soil and will grow in clay, loam, sandy, or shallow rocky soil. 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 . Once plants are a few inches (8 cm.) Location: In the Forest Territories, it was found at Snakerocks. Catnip is edible for humans, especially when made into tea. Ingesting large amounts may cause stomach upset. The leaves and flowers can be steeped to make tea. This plant is edible for humans and it even has some medicinal benefits. The extra-long bloom time and ability to thrive in different growing conditions make catmint a versatile addition to any landscape. } Some people drink catnip tea to relieve digestive problems, but some people may not tolerate it well. It produces clusters of lavender-blue flowers amid mounds of gray-green foliage. In general, you can grow catnip just about anywhere, with the exception of soil that is too boggy or plots that receive too little light. Unlike its close relative catnip (both are members of the mint family), catmint is better behaved and much showier. The seeds should be sown at a depth of 0.5 inches (1 cm) and then watered gently to avoid flooding the surface of the tray which will disturb the seeds. Deadheading spent blooms promotes additional flowering. Catmint could also help to relieve stomach pain and menstrual cramps too. These plants are good for mass planting or edging and are suitable near vegetables as an insect deterrent especially for aphids and Japanese beetles. In terms of soil conditions, the plant will tolerate a wide range of different soils but ideally, they prefer rich moist soil that are well-drained. Read our Commitment to Diversity | Read our Privacy Statement. Catmint (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family that is known for its shy yet intoxicating flowers and gray-green leaves. Need some simple, practical solutions for living healthier and greener? If you want to try catnip tea or add catnip to your evening tea blends, you can grow it yourself or buy it dried and ready to use. Bloom occurs from late spring into fall, with the small tubular flowers attracting hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other insect pollinators. Check out this blog post to learn more about this versatile herb. Though both are members of the mint family and in the genus Nepeta, they are in fact different species, though theyre often called by the same name. Updated April 2022. The cultivar got its name for the owner of the garden in which Ms. Taylor discovered it. They are commonly used as a lettuce substitute in salads and sandwiches. It is sometimes used as a spice in cooking or as a tea. The division can be done at any stage of the year, however, I generally recommend doing it in late Autumn or even winter dependent upon the climate you live in. It was one of the most common plants used for tea in England prior to the arrival of black tea from China. The answer is both yes and no. Therefore, surround it with a border edging or use containers (bottomless if in garden). Catmint species sold in garden centers typically include Nepeta faassenii, Nepeta grandiflora, or Nepeta racemosa, but there are many more catmint species around the world. "url": "https://plantaddicts.com/authors/robbin-small/", Heres what to know about catnip vs catmint and which herb to use for medicinal benefits. An annual application of pelletized manure in early spring is usually more than enough. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Catmint (Nepeta cataria) is a herbaceous perennial plant in the mint family. Catmint is an easy plant to grow and is ideally suited to planting in a cottage garden. Combine a dwarf variety in a container with creeping sedum, lantana and verbena. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Catmint is an absolute asset in the garden. In fact, its a great herb to have in your kitchen. Frequent harvest also helps prevent the aggressive spread of catnip plants. When flowers begin to fade, shear them off to encourage new growth and another wave of flowering. Container planting helps because it makes it easier to control. Hi! Fresh leaves (minty flavor) may be chopped and added to soups, stews, sauces, vegetables, or pasta, Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. Yes, catmint is edible! Despite being known for its effects on felines, cats aren't the only ones who can enjoy catmint. The catmint herb is easy to grow. 'Early Bird' Flowers/Leaves - March 28 - Wake Co., NC. You can likely get both catnip and catmint from neighbors, one of the many ways to get plants free. It can also help prevent re-seeding. Click on the link to see the current price on Amazon. Catnip leaves contain a compound called nepetalactone. Sign up for our newsletter. Known for its ability to curl up into a ball when it is disturbed, these pill bugs can be found in the damp soil under rocks or rotting pieces of wood. var alS = 1021 % 1000; To identify catnip vs catmint: Catnip has a more upright, rangy growth habit and larger leaves than catmint. Start, How to Make Vinegar from Scratch {Homemade Vinegar 2 Ways}, 35+ Best Spinach Companion Plants {Plus 2 to Avoid} . NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to It is drought tolerant once established. Despite being known for its effects on felines, cats arent the only ones who can enjoy catmint. Catmint is not only good news for cats. Stop drinking catnip tea if it continues to cause an upset stomach after a few uses. Order mixed annual combinations ready to plant in your containers. Remove and crumble leaves and add to cat toys. The Nepeta genus to which catmint belongs gets its name from the city of Nepete in Etruria. Doesn't get any easier than that! Seeds Now carries seeds for both catnip and catmint. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Catmint is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family that has a number of species and hybrids. The minty flavored leaves of catmint are commonly used in herbal teas and are thought to have various health benefits. Visit our sister site PepperScale. Catmint. Catmint and Roses are a classic combination, and the catmint border may deter hungry deer looking to forage on the rose buds. These flowers grow amid lush gray-green foliage which is characterized by plush leaves that have quite a delicate and lacy appearance. Those compounds include: Use catmint for treating or preventing these and other conditions: The most common application for catmint is as a tea that you make by steeping it by itself or in combination with other herbs to make a beverage. Likewise, catmint can be planted and grown in containers. Content on this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide personalized medical advice. Create a habitat garden with catmint and other. If you prefer, you can also tincture your catnip or buy a catnip tincture ready-made. If you want to keep your catnip under control, cut flowers off and use or dry them before they have a chance to set seed. Catmint is not toxic to children. // ]]> The tough plants are easy to grow and low maintenance, use them in borders with other perennials or as an informal edging as an alternative to lavender. Catmint (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family that is known for its strong, aromatic scent and its ability to deter pests like rodents and insects. Small, two-lipped, white (with pale purple spotting) flowers (1/4" long) bloom in spike-like terminal clusters at the stem ends from late spring well into summer. As you come across one of your favorite secret spots, Walk around clearings, forest roads, and even gravel driveways in fall, and you might just run across the orange peel fungus (Aleuria aurantia). To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. Mass a spreading type along a slope for easy-care, drought-tolerant erosion control. Pin to save this info on catnip vs catmint & health benefits of catnip for later! This is also believed to be the origin of its genus name, Nepeta. The herb that is most often called catmint originated in the nursery of J.H. Siberian Catmint, Nepeta sibirica,is a variety that is more suited to cold locations, and will survive down to zone 3. Cats Meow (Nepeta faassenii) produces rich lavender-blue flowers on upright flop-proof stems, with a dense, uniform habit. Seller with a 100% positive feedback. Catmint is a carefree, easy-to-grow plant with an extra-long bloom time that deserves a spot in any landscape. The minty-flavored leaves are edible. It is called the Pet Poison Hotline, and their phone number is (855) 764-7661. The plant may need the occasional water in dry period and a trim at the end of the season to tidy up plant, however, this is entirely optional. Effects on felines, cats arent the only ones who can enjoy.! And is ideally suited to cold locations, and will grow in clay, loam sandy... 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