The leaves and flowers can be steeped to make a soothing herbal tea with a mild minty taste and a sweet fragrance. In a shadier location, the plant will produce significantly fewer flowers but will still produce dense foliage. The leaves of the catmint plant have a minty, peppery flavor that can be used fresh or dried in a number of different dishes. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); Catmint - The Ultimate Growing Guide from Proven Winners. Catmint can be used fresh or dried in a variety of dishes, and it is also sometimes used to make tea.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'stuffsure_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-stuffsure_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is a perennial herb in the mint family. The flavor of wild violets is mild, not overwhelming so you can eat a whole bunch at one time. Spread out to dry in a cool, ventilated area and store the dried herb in an airtight container or bag to preserve its potency. Find out where you fall in the USDA Hardiness Zones database. Sign up for our newsletter. (Like pine and spruce! The most common varieties are Nepeta cataria, also known as European catnip, and Nepeta mussinii, also known as Chinese catnip. Playing in an area with Catmint or eating small amounts of the plant will rarely cause a reaction. or so apart. You may be . It is also an edible herb that can be used in a variety of dishes. 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. Your email address will not be published. "publisher": { Will catmint attract cats? Ive seen it on occasion at our local nursery and at farm stands selling potted herbs. Catmint is not a plant that is generally considered invasive according to Cornell University. There are a variety of different catmint plants, all of which are members of the mint family. The plant will spread but is not difficult to control. When I put out a request for catmint in a local plant exchange group, one kind member dug up a huge clump of catnip for me and deposited it at my door. Like catnip, catmint is edible. This hardy plant is drought-resistant, so you dont have to water them too often. Insomnia and anxiety: Gently sedative. Catmint can be grown in sun or partial shade with average, well-draining soil. Due to the wide temperature tolerance of the plant, it requires little maintenance throughout the year. The plant spreads rapidly by runners and can become invasive if not controlled. Buy catmint plants Order perennials online and have them shipped right to your door. "logo": { Faassens catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) is sterile, however, and doesnt require deadheading. Yellow catmint, Nepeta govanianais native to Kashmir and produces yellow flowers. Some people may experience an allergic reaction, such as itching or swelling, when they come into contact with the plant. Is Catmint Invasive? For gardeners with cats, the main difference between catmint and catnip is that only the latter will stimulate cats and make them go crazy. Free shipping. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Calamint is dotted with masses of tiny flowers that attract butterflies from midsummer until frost. "name": "Plant Addicts", More about me and my green projects here. Despite being known for its effects on felines, cats arent the only ones who can enjoy catmint. Susannah is a proud garden geek and energy nerd who loves healthy food and natural remedies. 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. Plants respond well to shearing to promote rebloom. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Keep up to date with the latest healthy living tips! 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. Many of the Catmints do not multiply from seed and are not commonly found outside of the cultivated garden. Keep them 12 apart from each other to avoid overcrowding. Catmint is a hybrid of Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella. Whats A Good Italian Seasoning Substitute? Is catmint edible?The minty flavored leaves of catmint are commonly used in herbal teas and are thought to have various health benefits. You can learn more about how to grow Faassen's catmint in our guide.. Cultivation and History. However, the catmint will still do very well in lower quality soil, it is generally quite hardy and drought-resistant. Catmint is edible and not considered toxic for humans or pets. Catmint is an easy plant to grow and is ideally suited to planting in a cottage garden. This plant is edible and it even has some medicinal benefits for us too. Some claim that both catnip and catmint can be used medicinally, though documented herbal uses of catmint are extremely scarce. // They are commonly used as a lettuce substitute in salads and sandwiches. This easily grown plant has an interesting history regarding its various uses in the landscape. Location: In the Forest Territories, it was found at Snakerocks. Heres more on catmint cultivars and growing tips. At the ending of each growing season, they can be cut back hard in order to reshape the plant and get it ready for next year. 'Cat's Meow' Nepeta faassenii USPP 24,472, Can 5,098. Featured Image: Catmint spires photo by DoF CC-BY-X on Wikimedia Commons, Leave your email address so you don't miss any of our wild edibles info! Is catmint edible? This variety has a more upright habit than other catmints and is well worth considering for your garden. It was considered a stimulant and able to make gentle people fierce. 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. If large amounts are eaten, it can cause stomach upset, but rarely any other problems. According to old stories about catmint, cats will only attempt to eat bruised or otherwise damaged plants. Fall, Spring, Summer. Mass Planting. Edible. At the same time, it will protect your garden from harmful insects like ants and flea beetles as well as other pests like rats and mice. It even has a mild sedative effect which can relieve insomnia and allow you to sleep better. It came to be called catmint owing to having a strong scent that cats find attractive. Much like other herbal teas, catmint herbal tea can aid digestive problems such as upset stomachs, excessive gas, diarrhea, and nausea. It has a very slight numbing effect on the tongue. It is believed to be useful in relieving stress, menstrual cramps, flu symptoms, and digestive symptoms. Once the Catmint gets going you will find that the plant does is a good job of smoothing any competing weeds. Therefore, surround it with a border edging or use containers (bottomless if in garden). Do I Have Catmint Or Catnip: Are Catnip And Catmint The Same Plant, Catmint Companion Plants: Tips On Planting Next To Catmint Herbs, Cat-Friendly Garden Ideas: Tips For Creating A Cat-Friendly Garden, Common Flowering Quince Diseases And Pests, These Weeds That Spread By Seed Can Sprout After Years, 3 Common Gardening Mistakes That Harm The Environment, Portulaca Flower: Tips For Portulaca Care, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Generally quite hardy and drought-resistant a garden plant, it requires little maintenance throughout the.... Believed to be excluded from contact culinary uses, catmint acts as a.... 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