Catmint (Nepeta cataria, Sp. Pl.: 570 (1753))

Family: Lamiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 570 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Nepeta

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Europe to Japan (C. Honshu)

Description

Catmint, scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Widely recognized for its charming appeal and multifaceted utility, Catmint has a storied history that dates back to its first documentation in 1753. This hardy plant is indigenous to regions ranging from Southern Europe to Japan, specifically central Honshu.

The herbaceous plant is known for its minty fragrance and distinctive, attractive foliage. It typically features heart-shaped, serrated leaves that emit a characteristic scent when crushed. During its blooming period, Catmint produces spiky clusters of small, tubular flowers that can be white, blue, pink, or lavender, making it a beautiful addition to any garden.

Catmint thrives in various soil types, provided they are well-draining, and it is especially suited to sunny locations. It is a low-maintenance plant that can tolerate drought conditions once established, making it ideal for xeriscape gardening. Additionally, its robustness allows it to thrive in different climates, further attesting to its versatility.

In gardens, Catmint is not only grown for its beauty but also for its beneficial properties. It is well-known for its effect on cats, which exhibit a peculiar attraction to the plant, often rubbing against or rolling in it. This behavior is caused by a compound called nepetalactone, found in the leaves and stems of the plant.

Moreover, Catmint can serve several functional uses. It has been traditionally employed in medicinal applications and as a culinary herb. The plant’s leaves can be used to brew a herbal tea that is said to have mild sedative properties and offers relief from headaches, insomnia, and digestive issues.

In conclusion, Nepeta cataria, or Catmint, is a versatile and resilient plant that offers both ornamental and practical benefits. Its charming appearance, robustness, and myriad uses make it a valuable addition to any garden.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig katteurt, kattemynte, katteurt
Eng: cat-mint, catmint, catnip, catwort, field balm, cat mint, wild catmint
Deu: echte katzenminze, gewöhnliche katzenminze, katzenminze
Lit: paprastoji katžolė
Fin: aitokissanminttu
Swe: aitokissanminttu, kattmynta
Fra: cataire, herbe aux chats, menthe des chats, herbe à chat, chataire, herbe à chats, népète chataire, népéta cataire
Por: catária, erva-dos-gatos, erva-gateira
Ita: erba-de-gatta
Est: harilik naistenõges
Spa: hierba gatera, menta de gato
Nno: kattemynte
Nob: kattemynte
Ces: kocúrnik oby, šanta ko
Nld: wild kattenkruid
Lav: īst
Cym: mintys y gath
En: Catmint, Catnip, Common catnip, Catswort, Or catmint, Cat-mint, Catwort, Field balm, Cat Mint, Wild Catmint
Af: Kattekrui
Ar: قطرم حقيقي
Az: Adi pişiknanəsi
Eu: Katu-belar
Be: Кацямятка каціная
Bs: Macina trava
Bg: Обикновена коча билка
Ca: Herba gatera
Zh: Jing jie, 荆芥
Cv: Кушак пӳсĕр курăкĕ
Hr: Prava mačja metvica
Cs: Šanta kočičí, Kocúrnik oby, Šanta ko
Da: Katteurt, Almindelig Katteurt, Kattemynte
Nl: Wild kattenkruid, Wilde kattenkruid, Wild Kattekruid
Eo: Katherbo, Katminto
Et: Harilik naistenõges
Fi: Aitokissanminttu
Fr: Cataire, Menthe des chats, Cataire commune, Chataire, Chataire commune, Herbe à chats, Herbe-des-chats, Mente à chats, Menthe de chat, Népéta cataire, Népéta chataire, Népéte, Népète chataire, Herbe aux chats, Herbe à chat
Gl: Herba gateira
De: Katzenminze, Gewöhnliche Katzenminze, Gewöhnlicher Katzenminze, Echte Katzenminze
El: Νεπέτα (Μαγιοβότανο)
Hu: Illatos macskamenta
Is: Kattarmynta
Id: Kucingan
It: Erba-de-gatta, Gattaia comune, Erba dei gatti
Ja: Chikuma-hakka, Inu-hakka
Ko: 개박하
Lv: Kaķumētra, Īst
Lt: Paprastoji katžolė
Ml: കാറ്റ്നിപ്പ്
No: Kattemynte
Nb: Kattemynte
Nn: Kattemynte
Oj: Gaazhagensibag (little cat leaf), Gaazhagensibagoon (little cat ears), Gichi-namewashk (big sturgeon leaf)
Fa: نعناع گربه‌ای
Pl: Kocimiętka właściwa
Pt: Erva-gateira, Catária, Erva-dos-gatos
Ru: Kotovnik košačij, Котовник кошачий, Кошачья мята
Sr: Mačija trava
Sk: Kocúrnik obyčajný
Es: Hierba gatera, Menta de gato, Mačja meta
Sv: Kattmynta, Aitokissanminttu
Zh-tw: 貓薄荷
Ta: பூனைக்கு பிடித்தமான செடி
Tr: Kedi nanesi, Nezle otu
Vi: Bạc hà mèo
Cy: Mintys y gath

Synonyms

• Glechoma macrura ((Ledeb. ex Spreng.) Kuntze)
• Nepeta macrura (Ledeb. ex Spreng.)
• Nepeta ceretana (Sennen)
• Nepeta laurentii (Sennen)
• Nepeta minor (Mill.)
• Nepeta cataria var. citriodora (Dumoulin ex Lej.)
• Nepeta bodinieri (Vaniot)
• Nepeta cataria var. canescens (Sennen)
• Cataria tomentosa (Gilib.)
• Glechoma cataria ((L.) Kuntze)
• Nepeta vulgaris (Lam.)
• Calamintha albiflora (Vaniot)
• Cataria vulgaris (Gaterau)
• Nepeta cataria f. laurentii ((Sennen) Font Quer)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Corse (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Magadan (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2019 by Luciano Luciano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2021 by Munro Dale (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Man Mar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Gabriele Ludorf (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 24, 2021 by joey zendner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Peter Belicka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2017 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2019 by Raúl Sánchez Pérez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2018 by Colorado Natural (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by Kees Verhoek (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2021 by bernard palluy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2022 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2019 by Man Mar (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 30, 2019 by Joshua Kuykendall (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2020 by Peter Vohwinkel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2020 by Romain HERRERA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2021 by Nisha Valverde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2013 by EOL − Al Keuter (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Feb 5, 2022 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2022 by Robyn x (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Fruit

Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Sonnenberg Horst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Arthur Ordona (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341499)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:452333-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Nepeta cataria L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 7