Catmint Outperforms Lavender: Tougher, Longer-Flowering and a Bee Paradise

Yet one frequently overlooked perennial is tougher, flowers for longer – and sends bees into a veritable frenzy.

Anyone planning flowerbeds, pots and window boxes now will almost automatically think of lavender to bring a touch of Mediterranean flair to their doorstep. However, there is a perennial plant that quietly does all of this even better: it is long-lasting, exceptionally undemanding, blooms for months, has an intense scent – and creates a real paradise for bees and other pollinators. It is catmint, botanically Nepeta × faassenii, a perennial especially well suited to an era in which heat, drought and late frosts are becoming the new normal.

The underrated rival: why catmint outperforms lavender

Fragrance that instantly fills the air

Lavender has long been considered the undisputed queen of fragrant borders. It dominates sunny spots in many gardens, from front gardens to rockeries. Yet catmint belongs in the same league – and clearly outshines it in several respects.

Even brushing lightly against its grey-green foliage releases an aromatic cloud of scent. Unlike some heat-loving herbs, it does not need scorching midday temperatures to do so. Its leaves give off fresh, gently mentholated and spicy notes reminiscent of a blend of mint and a herb garden. The fragrance remains surprisingly noticeable into the evening and on cooler days.

“Catmint perfumes the garden without demanding a Mediterranean climate – and it does so for months.”

Many people find its fragrance more pleasant and less “soapy” than that of strongly scented lavender. This is particularly beneficial on terraces or balconies where people sit close to the plants: the aroma is intense without being overpowering.

A bee hotspot from spring to autumn

From an insect’s perspective, catmint is an absolute dream buffet. Its small blue to purple flowers grow in long spikes that continually provide fresh nectar. Bumblebees and solitary bees are already clinging to the flowers early in the day, with butterflies joining them later.

For anyone wanting to turn their outdoor space into a small refuge for pollinators, Nepeta is an excellent choice. While some ornamental plants look attractive but offer little else, catmint supplies food for months on end.

• attracts honey bees, solitary bees and bumblebees
• provides a long flowering period and therefore a consistent food source
• supports butterflies and other pollinators
• contributes to the pollination of nearby fruit trees, berries and vegetables

Anyone who puts out bee watering stations, builds insect hotels and avoids toxic products should certainly add this perennial. It turns a pleasant garden into a genuine insect haven.

Virtually indestructible: this perennial copes easily with frost and heat

No more worrying about double-digit sub-zero temperatures

Many Mediterranean plants look good during mild winters but fail once frost becomes more severe. Catmint is different. It is considered highly hardy and tolerates temperatures of around -20 degrees Celsius, and sometimes even lower, depending on the location and variety.

The secret is that the upper growth usually dies back in winter, while its strength remains in the roots. Even if only dry stems are visible in January, the perennial is still alive beneath the soil. It reliably produces new growth in spring – without winter protection, fleece covers or being moved into a cellar.

“Plant catmint and you can say goodbye to worrying that you will have to buy your favourite perennial again after every harsh winter.”

Heat-tolerant and almost drought-proof

At the same time, Nepeta is among the plants that cope remarkably well with increasingly hot, dry summers. Once it has rooted in for a few weeks, it manages with very little water.

Its finely hairy, slightly felted foliage reduces evaporation, so the plant loses less moisture through its leaves. Water it well initially and provide free-draining soil, and it will withstand even heatwaves better than many traditional bedding plants.

This makes catmint appealing to anyone who:

• does not want, or is unable, to water every day in summer
• lives in an area with watering restrictions or water shortages
• is planning a low-maintenance front garden without a lawn
• needs to cover holiday periods without arranging continual watering

A burst of colour from April to October – with minimal maintenance

Up to seven months of flowers with barely any effort

Perhaps its most impressive quality is that catmint does not simply flower briefly before fading, but continues for an exceptionally long season. In a good position, it starts in April and is still going strong in October.

The slender flower spikes emerge in waves. Light trimming between flushes encourages another round of blooms. A firm cut-back around midsummer – simply reduce the clumps by one third with hedge shears – is usually enough to stimulate fresh flowering shoots for late summer and autumn.

The plant scarcely needs fertiliser. Overly rich soil tends to make it lush and floppy, whereas a leaner growing medium keeps it more compact and floriferous.

How catmint creates visual highlights

Visually, Nepeta resembles a soft, floating carpet of flowers. Depending on the variety, its colours range from cool blues and lilacs to rich violet. It looks particularly effective when planted in larger groups.

Popular uses include:

• as an informal edging for perennial borders or roses
• along path edges, where plants can be allowed to spill slightly over the path
• in large terracotta pots on sunny terraces
• between natural stones, in gravel gardens or prairie-style beds
• as an alternative to traditional ground cover in the front garden

“Catmint brings the feel of a lavender field to the garden – only more forgiving, longer-lasting and easier to care for.”

Planting time, position and care: how to get started successfully

The best time to plant

Early spring is ideal, as soon as the ground is no longer frozen and begins to warm up. Late March to April works well: the perennial then has sufficient time to develop strong roots before summer heat arrives.

Container-grown plants from nurseries or garden centres can be placed directly into beds or large pots without difficulty. Anyone planting catmint in autumn should watch for waterlogging in particularly exposed areas, so that the roots do not rot in wet soil.

Position and soil – what catmint really needs

The basic rules are simple and achievable in almost every garden:

• Light: As sunny as possible; light partial shade is acceptable, although flowering will be slightly less abundant.
• Soil: Well-drained, with no persistent wetness; sandy-loam or stony soil is ideal.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first weeks after planting, then only during prolonged dry spells.
• Spacing: Around 30–40 centimetres, depending on the variety, as plants spread into mounds.

In very heavy soil, it helps to work in sand or fine gravel. This creates conditions closer to a light, mineral substrate – exactly what Nepeta prefers.

Benefits for the garden, your back and the climate

Fewer weeds, less work and fewer chemicals

A dense carpet of catmint shades the soil, making it much harder for weeds to emerge. That saves many hours spent on your knees with a hoe in hand.

Anyone planting larger areas with Nepeta will need to hoe or weed less often and can manage entirely without herbicides. This protects not only your back but also soil life, groundwater and insects.

What new gardeners should also know

Despite its name, not every cat responds to this species as strongly as it does to traditional “true” catnip (Nepeta cataria), although curious four-legged visitors may occasionally roll around in the bed. If you have particularly delicate areas, use pots or protect a few plants with small fences.

Over the long term, catmint can be divided without difficulty: every few years in spring or autumn, dig up the clumps, split them with a spade and replant them elsewhere. In this way, your favourite perennial can spread through the whole garden almost free of charge – and perhaps into a neighbour’s garden too, if you give away a piece.