Catnip Nepeta cataria

Common Name:
Catnip

Description:
Catnip is a hardy, aromatic perennial herb well known for its stimulating effect on cats and its soft, ornamental appeal in the garden. It features heart-shaped, grey-green leaves with a slightly fuzzy texture and produces small spikes of pale lavender to white flowers during the warmer months. When brushed or crushed, the foliage releases a strong minty scent that is highly attractive to cats while also appealing to pollinators such as bees. Well-suited to Melbourne’s climate, catnip thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soil, tolerating dry conditions once established. It grows vigorously through spring and summer and benefits from regular trimming to maintain a tidy shape and encourage fresh growth. Ideal for herb gardens, borders, and pots, catnip is both a functional and decorative plant.

Form:
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding
Ground Cover

Mature Size:
Height: 0.5–1 m
Width: 0.5–1 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring
Flowers in Summer

Flower Colour:
Pale lavender
White

Key Attributes:
Bee Attracting
Cat attractant
Drought Tolerant
Fragrant foliage
Herbaceous
Perennial
Suitable for Pots
Spreading habit – can become invasive if not contained

Toxicity:
Non-toxic to humans and cats; may cause mild digestive upset in pets if consumed in large quantities.

Companion Plants:
Lavender
Rosemary
Thyme
Mint
Echinacea