Siberian Catmint Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron', commonly known as Siberian catmint, exhibits a lush and attractive appearance, characterized by a profusion of lovely violet-blue flowers that form a striking contrast against the herbaceous perennial's backdrop of green foliage. The plant carries its flowers in dense, elongated spikes that rise above the foliage on sturdy stems. These blossoms are tubular and attractive to bees and butterflies, making it a buzz-worthy addition to any garden. The green leaves of Siberian catmint have a slightly serrated edge, are heart-shaped, and sometimes exhibit a fine downy texture. The foliage can emit a subtle, pleasing fragrance, especially when brushed or crushed, adding a sensory dimension to its garden appeal. Overall, the plant has a relaxed, informal growth habit that lends a soft, cottage garden feel to the landscape.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Lamiaceae
- Synonyms
  Siberian Catmint, Siberian Nepeta
- Common names
  Nepeta sibirica.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as Siberian Catmint is generally not considered toxic to humans. However, it is always advisable to exercise caution and avoid ingesting plants unless they are known to be safe for consumption. In case of accidental ingestion, if any adverse reactions are observed, medical attention should be sought.
- To pets
  Siberian Catmint is not known to be toxic to pets. This plant is actually closely related to catnip, which is famously enjoyed by cats. Nevertheless, it is recommended that pet owners supervise their pets to prevent them from eating large amounts of any plant material, which could potentially cause gastrointestinal upset or other digestive issues. If you notice any unusual symptoms in your pet after ingestion, consult your veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-91 cm)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (60-91 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  3
- Native area
  Siberia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron', commonly known as Siberian Catmint, draws bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden, promoting pollination.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, Siberian Catmint has good drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Low Maintenance: This plant is known for being low maintenance, requiring minimal care once it is established in the appropriate conditions.
- Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Siberian Catmint is generally resistant to deer and rabbits, making it a good choice for gardens that struggle with these visitors.
- Long Blooming: It offers a long bloom time, producing flowers throughout the summer months and into early fall, which enhances the aesthetic appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Erosion Control: The dense growth habit of Siberian Catmint can help to prevent soil erosion in the garden, particularly on slopes or in areas with loose soil.
- Aromatic Foliage: The leaves of Siberian Catmint are aromatic, releasing a pleasant fragrance when brushed against or crushed, which can add a sensory dimension to the garden.
Medical Properties
- Not commonly recognized for any significant medicinal properties.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Siberian Catnip can be used as a natural insect repellent when planted in gardens, as it emits a scent that is unappealing to many insect pests.
- The dense foliage of Siberian Catnip provides excellent ground cover, preventing soil erosion and suppressing weed growth in garden beds.
- This plant can be used in potpourri or dried flower arrangements, where its fragrant leaves add a pleasant aroma.
- Siberian Catnip is sometimes used in companion planting to protect vulnerable crops like vegetables and fruits from insect harm due to its repellent properties.
- The blooms of Siberian Catnip can provide a source of nectar for pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity in the garden.
- The plant can act as a natural lawn alternative, creating a fragrant, low-maintenance ground cover that rarely needs mowing.
- Some gardeners use Siberian Catnip as a means to distract cats from other more delicate garden plants, as cats are often attracted to its scent.
- The attractive flowers and foliage of Siberian Catnip can be used in floral crafts, such as wreath making or as a filler in bouquets.
- As a hardy perennial, Siberian Catnip can be used in erosion control projects on slopes or banks, where its root system helps stabilize the soil.
- For educational purposes, Siberian Catnip can be included in school gardens to teach students about plant-insect relationships and the ecological role of aromatic plants.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Siberian Catmint is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Siberian Catmint is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Relaxation – Given that Nepeta sibirica, commonly known as Siberian Catmint or just Catmint, is closely related to the catnip plant, which is famous for its relaxing and mildly sedative effects on cats, it often symbolizes relaxation and peace.
- Playfulness – Catmint can induce playful behavior in cats, therefore it may represent playfulness or bringing out one's inner child.
- Friendship – The plant's gentle appearance and the way it attracts cats and beneficial insects like bees can be symbolic of companionship and attracting friends.
- Endurance – As a plant that thrives in a Siberian climate, it represents durability and the ability to withstand harsh conditions.
- Healing – Herbal traditions often use Catmint for its therapeutic properties, making it a symbol for healing and health.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Siberian Catmint should be watered regularly, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, it is typically advised to water once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. If rainfall is scarce, you might need to water more often. Provide approximately one gallon per watering for an average-sized plant, ensuring you're watering deeply to encourage root growth. In winter, reduce watering to once every two weeks or whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
Light
Siberian Catmint thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal growth and flowering, place it in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light may result in leggy plants and fewer flowers.
Temperature
Siberian Catmint performs best in temperatures ranging between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is quite cold-hardy and can tolerate low temperatures down to -30 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for cooler climates. Despite its hardiness, it's ideal to protect the plant from extreme cold snaps and provide mulch for root insulation.
Pruning
Prune Siberian Catmint after the first flush of flowers fades to encourage a second bloom. Cutting the plant back by about a third can promote bushier growth and prevent it from becoming leggy. It is best to prune in late spring or early summer, after the initial flowering period, and again in late fall to tidy the plant before winter.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Siberian Catmint prefers well-draining soil, rich in organic matter, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of two parts garden soil to one part compost and one part perlite or coarse sand is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Siberian Catmint should be repotted every 2-3 years to prevent it from becoming root-bound and to replenish the soil's nutrients.
Humidity & Misting
Siberian Catmint tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but grows best in moderate conditions; it does not require high humidity environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light and good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, space 12-18 inches apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-8 USDA
Life cycle
Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron', commonly known as Siberian catmint, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in early spring when soil temperatures rise. The seedling emerges and develops into a vegetative plant, producing a rosette of leaves and establishing a root system. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, typically in late spring to early summer, producing spikes of lavender-blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers develop into small, brown nutlets (seeds), which are dispersed by wind, gravity, or animal movement. The plant may go dormant in winter, retreating to the root level, especially in colder climates. Siberian catmint is a perennial, thus it will reemerge from its rootstock the following spring to begin the cycle anew.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early spring
- Propogation: Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron', commonly known as Siberian Catmint, can be propagated through stem cuttings, which is the most popular method. The best time to take cuttings for propagation is late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing. Cut a 4-6 inch (10-15 cm) portion of the stem, ensuring there are at least two sets of leaves on the cutting. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, and dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to enhance root development. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, moisten the soil, and cover the pot with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity. Place the pot in a warm, bright area but out of direct sunlight until roots have established, usually within a few weeks, and then gradually acclimate the new plant to the environment before transplanting it outdoors.