Catmint Nepeta racemosa 'Toria'
ABOUT
Nepeta racemosa 'Toria', commonly known as Catmint, is a flowering plant with an appealing aesthetic. It has a mound-like growth habit, creating a rounded, bushy appearance. The foliage of Catmint is distinctly gray-green and is comprised of small, delicate leaves that are often heart-shaped and have a soft, slightly furry texture. These leaves can provide a lovely contrast to more vibrant greenery in a garden setting. The most striking feature of Catmint 'Toria' is its blooms. The flowers are small yet abundant, clustered on spires that rise gracefully above the foliage. Typically, the blooms are a soft lavender-blue hue that gives a sense of coolness and tranquility. The flowers are tubular and arrayed in whorls around the central spike, creating a delightful display that can last from late spring through the summer months, often attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden. Catmint is not only admired for its decorative qualities but is also known for its aromatic properties. When the leaves are crushed or brushed against, they release a pleasant, herby fragrance reminiscent of mint, which can be soothing and is thought to have repellent qualities for certain garden pests. The overall appearance of Catmint 'Toria' is charming and informal, making it an excellent choice for cottage gardens, borders, and natural-style plantings where its casual beauty and alluring scent can be fully appreciated.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Lamiaceae.
Synonyms
Dwarf Catmint, Toria Catmint, Racemose Catmint.
Common names
Nepeta racemosa 'Toria'.
ToxicityTo humans
Catmint (Nepeta racemosa 'Toria') is generally considered to be non-toxic to humans. However, ingesting any plant material may cause discomfort or an adverse reaction in some individuals, such as stomach upset or allergic reactions. It’s always best to avoid eating ornamental plants due to the potential for personal sensitivities or the presence of pesticides.
To pets
Catmint (Nepeta racemosa 'Toria') is known for its relatively low toxicity for pets, including cats and dogs. In fact, catmint is commonly associated with attracting cats, who may enjoy the plant’s scent and may exhibit a playful reaction to it. Ingesting it in small quantities is usually not harmful to pets, but overconsumption could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea. Always exercise caution and monitor the quantity your pet comes into contact with.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Blue
Height
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Spread
1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts pollinators: Nepeta racemosa 'Toria', commonly referred to as Catmint, draws in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, contributing to the health of your garden ecosystem.
- Drought tolerance: Once established, Catmint is relatively drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or low-water gardens.
- Ease of care: Catmint is a hardy perennial that requires minimal maintenance, which is ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners.
- Deer and rabbit resistance: The plant is generally undesirable to deer and rabbits, reducing the likelihood of damage from browsing animals.
- Landscape versatility: Catmint can be used in various garden designs, such as borders, rock gardens, or as groundcover, providing flexibility in landscaping.
- Aesthetic appeal: The lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage of Catmint add sensory beauty to gardens, enhancing visual and olfactory enjoyment.
- Long blooming period: With a long flowering season stretching from late spring to early autumn, Catmint provides enduring color in the garden.
- Companion planting: Catmint complements and enhances the growth of various other garden plants and can help deter certain pests.
- Low growth habit: The compact size of Catmint 'Toria' makes it suitable for edging and filling in small spaces without overwhelming other plants.
- Propagation ease: Catmint can be easily propagated by division, allowing gardeners to multiply their plants and fill larger areas at low cost.
Medical Properties- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Companion Planting: Catmint can be planted in vegetable gardens to help deter certain pests, potentially benefiting plants like tomatoes and cucumbers.
- Dye Production: The leaves and stems, when boiled, can yield a natural dye that can be used for fabrics or crafts.
- Garden Aesthetics: Catmint can be used as an ornamental plant to edge garden borders, adding texture and color with its gray-green foliage and lavender flowers.
- Improved Soil Quality: The roots of catmint can help to break up compact soil, potentially improving soil structure and drainage.
- Erosion Control: Because of its spreading habit, catmint can be used to stabilize soil on slopes or in areas prone to erosion.
- Ground Cover: Its dense growth habit makes it an effective ground cover, suppressing weeds and covering bare spots in the landscape.
- Attract Beneficial Insects: Catmint flowers can attract pollinators, such as bees, as well as beneficial insects that control garden pests.
- Moth Repellent: The strong scent of catmint is said to be disliked by moths, suggesting its use in warding off these insects.
- Enhanced Vegetation: The presence of catmint can enrich the overall diversity of the ecosystem, supporting a variety of insects and birds.
- Decoration: Dried catmint can be used in floral arrangements or potpourris to create visually appealing and fragrant decor for home interiors.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Catmint is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Catmint is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Relaxation: Like many other members of the Nepeta family, such as catnip, Nepeta racemosa 'Toria', commonly known as Catmint, is often associated with its calming and soothing effects. It is believed to symbolize relaxation and may encourage a sense of peace and tranquility.
- Affection: Catmint can also symbolize love and affection, as it is known for attracting cats who seem to revel in the plant's scent and taste, often rubbing against and lying in it, displaying behaviors of contentment and affection.
- Playfulness: Given the playful behavior cats exhibit around Catmint, this plant can represent playfulness and joy, highlighting the lighthearted pleasure it brings to feline friends.
- Happiness: With its light and airy flowers, Catmint can evoke a sense of happiness and celebration, symbolizing the lightness of being and the simple pleasures that bring joy.
- Home and Hearth: Often used in gardens for its aromatic and pest-repellent qualities, Catmint can symbolize protection of the home and a nurturing environment, as well as the comfort of familiar spaces.
WaterCatmint (Nepeta racemosa 'Toria') prefers consistent moisture, but it's important not to overwater. Typically, watering once a week with approximately one to two gallons per plant should suffice under normal conditions. During hotter, drier spells, you may need to water twice a week, while in cooler, wetter periods, watering can be reduced. Ensure that the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging. It's best to water deeply and less frequently to encourage strong root growth.
LightCatmint thrives in full sun to part shade. It performs best when it receives at least six hours of sunlight daily, but it can tolerate some light afternoon shade. The ideal spot for catmint would be an area that gets abundant morning sunlight with some protection from the intense heat of the late afternoon during the hottest months.
TemperatureCatmint is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. It grows best in temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit but can survive in temperatures as low as -30 degrees and as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing the plant to extreme heat without adequate water, as this can stress the plant.
PruningPruning catmint helps maintain its shape, encourages a second bloom, and can prevent it from becoming too leggy. Trim back the foliage by one-third after the first flowering period, typically in early summer, to promote a second round of blooms. Pruning can be done again in late fall or early spring to prepare the plant for new growth.
CleaningNot needed
SoilCatmint prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and coarse sand or perlite works well to ensure good drainage and fertility.
RepottingCatmint should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when it outgrows its current container, to provide fresh nutrients and encourage growth.
Humidity & MistingCatmint thrives in average humidity levels and does not require any special humidity conditions for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place catmint in bright, indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleNepeta racemosa 'Toria', commonly known as Dwarf Catmint, begins its life as a seed that germinates in early spring provided with the appropriate temperature and soil moisture. After germination, the seedling emerges and develops its first true leaves, establishing a root system. It grows into a vegetative stage with a bushy habit, forming grey-green, aromatic foliage characteristic of the mint family. Flowering occurs from late spring through summer, presenting lavender-blue blossoms that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. After pollination, seeds develop and are dispersed, completing the reproductive cycle. With the onset of colder weather, the plant may die back to the ground, though the root system remains alive and the plant will re-emerge the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Early Summer
The most popular method of propagating Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low', known commonly as Catmint, is through division. This is typically done in either the spring or early fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump and gently separate the plant into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has a portion of the root system attached. These divisions can be immediately replanted in a well-draining soil mix, spaced about 12 to 18 inches (about 30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow room for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish the roots. Catmint is a hardy perennial, and divisions will usually take hold quickly and start growing to produce a new plant that is identical to the parent plant.
