Catmint Nepeta 'Hill Grounds'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Nepeta 'Hill Grounds', commonly known as catmint, features soft, aromatic foliage that forms a lush, rounded mound. The plant's leaves are small and heart-shaped with a distinctive gray-green color, giving them a slightly silvery appearance. The edges are lightly scalloped and when crushed, they release a pleasant, minty fragrance that is known to attract cats and is also appealing in the garden. Throughout the blooming season, catmint produces abundant spikes of tiny, tubular flowers. These blossoms typically exhibit a soft lavender to purple hue that adds a gentle splash of color and contributes to the overall delicate texture of the plant. The combination of the flower color with the contrasting foliage makes catmint an attractive addition to various garden settings, where its blooms may attract beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Hill Grounds Catmint, Hill Grounds Catnip, Hill Grounds Nepeta.
- Common names
  Nepeta 'Hill Grounds'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant Nepeta 'Hill Grounds' is commonly known as catnip. Catnip is not toxic to humans. It is widely known for its effects on cats, but for humans, it is generally safe. In fact, catnip has been used in traditional medicine, and its leaves can be brewed to make tea. Ingesting catnip typically does not lead to poisoning or adverse effects in humans. However, consuming large amounts may cause mild stomach upset.
- To pets
  The plant Nepeta 'Hill Grounds', commonly known as catnip, is known for its effects on cats, which are usually not harmful. Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone, which can trigger a euphoric response in cats. It is generally safe for cats when ingested or smelled, but in some cases, cats may experience mild gastrointestinal upset if they consume too much. In other pets such as dogs, catnip is not toxic and tends to have little to no effect. It is typically safe for cats and other pets, and there are no serious consequences associated with its ingestion.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  2 feet (60 cm)
- Spread
  3 feet (91 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Nepeta 'Hill Grounds', commonly known as Catmint, draws bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden, aiding pollination.
- Drought Tolerance: Catmint has good drought resistance once established, making it suitable for water-wise landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care, making it a great option for gardeners seeking low-maintenance gardening.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Catmint is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, which makes it an excellent choice for gardens with wildlife pressure.
- Aromatic Foliage: The plant emits a pleasant fragrance from its leaves, which can add an aromatic dimension to garden spaces.
- Long Blooming Period: Catmint offers a long flowering season, providing a display of color and interest from late spring into early fall.
- Landscape Versatility: It can be used in various landscape designs including borders, rock gardens, and herb gardens.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Natural Insect Repellent: Catmint can be used to repel certain insects, such as mosquitoes, ants, and tick when its leaves are crushed and the oils are released or planted in areas where insect control is desired.
- Garden Border: With its attractive foliage and flowers, catmint can be planted along the edges of garden beds to create a defined border that adds aesthetic appeal.
- Companion Planting: Grow catmint near vegetable gardens to help deter pests that might otherwise damage susceptible crops.
- Soil Erosion Control: The roots of catmint can help hold soil in place, making it beneficial for planting on slopes or in areas prone to erosion.
- Fragrance Production: The leaves of catmint can be dried and used in potpourri mixes or sachets to provide a pleasant fragrance in drawers and closets.
- Dye Production: The flowers and stems of catmint can be used to make a natural dye for fabrics and yarn.
- Culinary Flavoring: Catmint leaves can be used sparingly to add a minty flavor to some culinary dishes, similar to other mint herbs.
- Decorative Dried Arrangements: The stems and flowers of catmint can be dried and included in decorative bouquets or arrangements for their aesthetic appeal.
- Plant Staking: Taller varieties of catmint can provide natural support for weaker or floppy neighboring plants, acting as a living stake.
- Craft Projects: Dried catmint stems and flowers can be incorporated into homemade wreaths, garlands, or other craft items for decoration.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Catmint is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Catmint is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Relaxation: Nepeta, commonly known as catmint, often symbolizes relaxation due to its calming effects on cats and sometimes even on humans.
- Playfulness: Since catmint, induces playful behavior in cats, it is also associated with playfulness and joy.
- Affection: Given its ability to attract cats, catmint can symbolize the affection or close bonds between pets and their owners.
- Healing: Catmint has been used in traditional herbal medicine, so it can represent healing and therapeutic properties.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For catmint (Nepeta 'Hill Grounds'), it's best to water deeply but infrequently to encourage a strong root system. Water the plant once a week with about 1-2 gallons of water, making sure the soil is moistened thoroughly but not waterlogged. During hot, dry spells, you may need to water more often, but always check that the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. Cut back on watering as the weather cools and rainfall increases in the fall. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage and adjust your watering schedule according to rainfall.
Light
Catmint thrives in full sun to partial shade. The ideal spot for this plant is an area where it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, which will help to ensure robust growth and plentiful flowering. While it can tolerate some shade, too little sunlight may result in a leggier plant and fewer blooms.
Temperature
Catmint is quite hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It grows best in conditions between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit but can withstand temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensuring the plant has adequate water during extreme temperatures will help maintain its health.
Pruning
Pruning catmint helps to maintain its shape, encourage bushier growth, and can lead to a second flush of flowers if done mid-summer after the first flowering. Prune back by about a third after the initial blooms fade, typically in early to mid-summer. Pruning can be done again in late fall or early spring to tidy up the plant and remove any dead or damaged growth.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Catmint 'Hill Grounds' thrives in well-draining, loamy or sandy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A soil mix with equal parts garden soil, coarse sand, and compost is ideal for this plant to ensure proper drainage and nutrient content.
Repotting
Catmint 'Hill Grounds' does not require frequent repotting and can typically be repotted every 2 to 3 years, or when it outgrows its current container.
Humidity & Misting
Catmint 'Hill Grounds' is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels, but it prefers dry to average humidity conditions typical of outdoor environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in a sunny spot and water sparingly for Catmint.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun with well-drained soil for Catmint.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
Nepeta 'Hill Grounds', commonly known as catmint, begins its life cycle as a seed, often requiring a cold stratification period to break dormancy. Upon germination in the spring, the seedling emerges and develops into a small plant with distinctive, aromatic foliage. As it matures, catmint enters a vegetative stage where it focuses on leaf and stem growth, preparing for flowering. Throughout late spring and summer, it produces spikes of lavender to blue flowers that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After flowering, catmint sets seed which can be dispersed to produce new plants. Once the growing season ends, catmint becomes dormant, with the root system surviving the winter to resprout the following spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Catmint, known scientifically as Nepeta 'Hill Grounds', is typically propagated through stem cuttings. The best time for this practice is late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To do this, select a healthy, non-flowering stem and cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length, making sure to include several sets of leaves. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone to encourage root development. Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix, water it well, and cover it with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in a few weeks, new growth will indicate that the cutting has successfully rooted. Transplant the new catmint plant to the desired location once the roots are well-established.