Catmint
Nepeta x faassenii
Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12–24 in tall and 18–36 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Long-blooming workhorse. Shear after first flush for repeat blooms. Bee + cat magnet.
On the CSU listlow to medium water12–24 in tall and 18–36 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Nepeta x faassenii
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Walker's Low', 'Junior Walker', 'Cat's Pajamas'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 12–24 in tall and 18–36 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~25–36 in apart
- Growth habit
- Mounding
- Foot traffic
- No foot traffic
- Winter cover
- Partial winter cover
- Bloom length
- Reblooms
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- blue, purple
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer, mid summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySelf-seeds prolifically if not deadheaded
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Using Catmint as a groundcover
Catmint grows in low mounds. It fills in to a moderately dense cover.
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. After establishment, water 1–2×/month during dry stretches.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Catmint good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Catmint is a well-suited groundcover for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Catmint?
- The main things to know: Self-seeds prolifically if not deadheaded
- How big does Catmint get?
- It matures to about 12–24 in tall and 18–36 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant Catmint?
- Space Catmint about 25 in apart for a faster, fuller cover, or up to 36 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is Catmint hardy on the Front Range?
- Catmint is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Catmint need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is Catmint native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Catmint deer-resistant?
- Catmint is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Catmint a good firewise plant near the house?
- Catmint is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Can you walk on Catmint?
- Catmint isn't meant for foot traffic, site it where you won't need to walk across it.
- Will Catmint spread or stay put?
- Catmint is mounding. Self-seeds prolifically if not deadheaded Give it room to fill in and edit the edges to keep it where you want it.
- Does Catmint stay green in winter?
- Catmint keeps partial cover through Front Range winters.
- How long does Catmint bloom?
- Catmint reblooms through the season, especially if you deadhead spent flowers on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
