27 Best Varieties of Catmint (Nepeta) For Your Flower Bed

Catmint is a wonderful, low-maintenance herb to add to your garden. The plants range from dwarf varieties starting at six inches tall and all the way up to three feet or taller. They make an excellent addition to the garden, drawing bees and butterflies to help pollinate other nearby plants. 

If you want a hardy, reliable perennial that blooms all summer long, you simply can’t beat this member of the mint family. Its drought tolerance and easygoing nature mean you rarely have to pay it any attention. But you might want to anyway! It’s fun to watch the hummingbirds enjoy the sweet nectar of these pretty blue flowers. 

Catmint is tolerant of poor soil and salt air, so it makes a good coastal garden plant. Use this plant as a border in the landscape or anywhere that needs some pops of color. Some varieties might be attractive to your feline friends, but many are not. Here are 27 great varieties of catmint for your garden. 

Kitten Around

	botanical name Nepeta faassenii ‘Kitten Around’ PP30940
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-14”
	hardiness zones 3-8

In case the name doesn’t give it away, this is a dwarf variety that’s perfect for smaller spaces and containers. The compact, dense foliage forms a tight clump. Above the mound of foliage, racemes of pretty purple calyxes holding blue flowers attract tons of pollinators.

‘Kitten Around’ makes an excellent border in the garden. Use it to line a walkway or pop it in between other plants to fill garden space. 

Cat’s Pajamas

	botanical name Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ PP31127 CPBRAF
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-14”
	hardiness zones 3-8

This bushy, compact catmint also makes an excellent border. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a hybrid variety with a rounded, shrubby shape and deep indigo flowers in purple calyxes. It’s a big bloomer that starts to flower two to three weeks earlier than most types. It also holds onto its calyxes for a long time, maintaining color and beauty in the garden for an extended period. 

Purrsian Blue

	botanical name Nepeta faassenii ‘Purrsian Blue’ PP24788
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18″-30”
	hardiness zones 3-8

This compact variety lies somewhere between full-sized and dwarf. ‘Purrsian Blue’ isn’t just a cute name; this variety has an attractive, rounded shape. When it blooms, the densely packed periwinkle flowers nearly obscure the aromatic foliage.

It has a spread that doubles its height, so give this variety room to spread out. If you are looking for extra blooming power, this is perfection. 

Walker’s Low

	botanical name Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Walker’s Low’ is a full-sized, award-winning variety. It won both Perennial Plant of the Year in 2007 and the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2012. The foliage remains short, while the flower spikes tower up to three feet tall.

It makes a wonderful container variety or focal point in the pollinator garden. The flowers bloom intermittently throughout the summer and into the fall. 

Blue Wonder

	botanical name Nepeta racemosa ‘Blue Wonder’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 9”-2’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Blue Wonder’ is a dwarf variety with glowing indigo flowers that obscure the grey-green foliage. It blooms from late spring until early fall, providing a bountiful buffet for pollinators.

This open bowl-shaped catmint makes a wonderful border, and you won’t be able to stop admiring the mass of blue blooms all summer. Catmint is an exceptionally low-maintenance member of the mint family. It’s almost too easy to grow!

Picture Purrfect

	botanical name Nepeta ‘Picture Purrfect’ PP34502
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10″-12″
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Picture Purrfect’ has the same compact habit as ‘Kitten Around,’ but with a wider spread. It also blooms about two weeks sooner and even earlier in warm climates. This is a great container or border variety. Its flowers have a rich, blue tone that sets them apart from other varieties. You will love this catmint for its plump shape and bright blooms.

Whispurr Pink

	botanical name Nepeta x faassenii ‘Balpurrink’ PP #33,184
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 24”-28”
	hardiness zones 4-9

This variety brings large, fluffy plumes of soft pink flowers to the garden. ‘Whispurr Pink’ is a delightful, full-sized catmint with a robust growth habit and larger flowers that open early in mid-spring.

This is an eye-catching and statement-making plant that makes a great focal point in the garden. Their abundance of nectar and pink tones makes these flowers very popular with hummingbirds. 

Cat’s Meow

	botanical name Nepeta faassenii ‘Cat’s Meow’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 17″-20”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Cat’s Meow’ has a great reputation. It is an exquisitely uniform and beautiful variety that becomes very dense and full over the season. This plant is moderately tall, with very strong stems that won’t flop over. Use this plant to fill large spaces with lush, aromatic foliage. You will love how dense the flowering habit is when ‘Cat’s Meow’ blooms all summer long. 

Chartreuse on the Loose

	botanical name Nepeta ‘Chartreuse on the Loose’ PPAF
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8”-10”
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Chartreuse on the Loose’ is a special variety. Not only is it short enough to make a groundcover, it blooms all season without any pruning! Most catmints need to be pruned to bloom, making this type one of the most low-maintenance. It also has very bright green foliage that stands out as a foundation for its lovely purple flowers. 

Little Trudy

	botanical name Nepeta x psfike ‘Little Trudy’ PP #18,904
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8”-12”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Petite and refined, ‘Little Trudy’ is a shorter variety with purple flowers that have a warm rather than a cool tone. The finely cut foliage gives this variety an airy look and keeps this plant free of fungal issues.

This plant has a spreading nature that is about twice its height. Its spreading habit makes this a wonderful ground cover or edging for the flower garden. 

Hill Grounds

	botanical name Nepeta ‘Hill Grounds’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 18”-36″
	hardiness zones 4-9

This exciting catmint has the largest flowers of any variety. At one centimeter long, the bold purple blooms will draw native and honeybees from miles away. Fuzzy, substantial foliage adds another element of visual and tactile interest.

The plant is on the taller side, making it a perfect focal point in the cottage or pollinator garden. ‘Hill Grounds’  blooms throughout summer and into fall. 

Purple Haze

	botanical name Nepeta ‘Purple Haze’ PP321180
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10”
	hardiness zones 5-8

‘Purple Haze’ is a dwarf variety with a spreading habit that borders on trailing. Plant this catmint atop a rock wall, and it will spill over the edge. The thick, plump flower spikes curve lightly outward and upward. From afar, the entire plant appears dusted with lavender. The foliage is silvery, giving the entire plant a cool hue. This makes a fabulous ground cover. 

Dark Blue Panther

	botanical name Nepeta subsessilis ‘Panther Dark Blue’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-18″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Neat and tidy, ‘Dark Blue Panther’ has a compact habit. It also has some of the deepest and largest indigo blooms of all varieties. The flower shade can vary, with some rosy hues mixed in.

The cultivar ranges from one to two feet tall. It is a huge nectar producer and makes a great addition to the pollinator garden. It also makes a neat and dramatic border. 

Summer Magic

	botanical name Nepeta grandiflora ‘Summer Magic’ PP27090
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15”-19”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Sturdy and resilient, ‘Summer Magic’ is another RHS award-winning catmint. It’s on the taller end, with larger flowers that don’t experience any slowdown in the summer heat. The tall flower stems never flop in the rain. Some gardeners notice that cats seem to be less interested in this type. It blooms reliably from late spring until early fall.

Snowflake

	botanical name Nepeta x faassenii ‘Snowflake’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12”-18″
	hardiness zones 4-9

In a shift from the usual blue-toned catmint flowers, ‘Snowflake’ has dainty, delicate white flowers. It’s a great flower producer, and the blooms are lightly and pleasantly fragrant. This variety also has finely textured, grey-green foliage. It looks beautiful in a rock garden or mixed with other more colorful flowers. Its bloom time is briefer than some but no less lovely. 

Pink Panther

	botanical name Nepeta subsessilis ‘Pink Panther’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12”-18″
	hardiness zones 4-9

Rosy flowers with an extra pleasing fragrance set this bog cat apart. ‘Pink Panther’ has more than a nostalgic moniker; it’s an especially pretty cultivar. The plant is mid-sized with larger foliage. Overall, it is denser and has a fluffy appearance. The flower spikes are shorter, lightly curved, and very fluffy compared to other varieties. 

Blue Moon

	botanical name Nepeta nervosa ‘Blue Moon’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 4-7

‘Blue Moon’ is a favorite of mine. Its delicate yet impactful flower spikes are a wonderful treat in the flower bed. The individual blooms are small and light blue. They are tightly clustered to form a fluffy, dense pouf at the top of the stems. This catmint has a low, spreading habit that makes it nice for borders and mass plantings. 

Neptune

	botanical name Nepeta kubanica ‘Bokratune’ PP #29,556
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8”-12”
	hardiness zones 4-10

This cute little dwarf variety makes a wonderful ground cover. It has large, dense foliage and produces lots of dark purple flowers. Deadhead this one after its initial bloom, and it will come back with a bigger bloom very quickly. The flowers and foliage are both large compared to the overall size of this plant. It makes a nice container filler, leaving space for larger thriller plants. 

Pink Cat

	botanical name Nepeta nervosa ‘Pink Cat’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10”-12”
	hardiness zones 4-7

Compact and bushy, ‘Pink Cat’ is low-maintenance and sturdy. Its small, shrubby growth habit makes this a wonderful container plant. This type is a big bloomer that tolerates heat very well. The flower spikes are erect, and the blooms are powdery pink, which is a nice deviation from other types. Plant ‘Pink Cat’ along a walkway for a sweetly scented path. 

Marvelette Blue

	botanical name Calamintha nepeta ‘Marvelette Blue’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10″-12”
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Marvelette Blue’ has a different form than most others on this list. The foliage is smaller and has a minty fragrance, and the flowers are more sparsely placed. Rather than distinctive spikes of bold blue blooms, this plant has a delicate sprinkling of pale lavender flowers. It has a more herbaceous appearance and makes a great container plant or filler in the garden.

Six Hills Giant

	botanical name Nepeta faassenii ‘Six Hills Giant’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-8

‘Six Hills Giant’ is one of the tallest catmints around. It’s a robust grower that can reach up to three feet tall. The flower spikes are less dense than others and have a slight curve to them, making this a striking plant for the wildflower or cottage garden. The foliage has a lemony fragrance when crushed. The ethereal blooms are a cool shade of violet. 

Junior Walker

	botanical name Nepeta x faassenii ‘Novanepjun’ PP #23.074
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 14”-16”
	hardiness zones 5-9

If you want to avoid re-seeding entirely, ‘Junior Walker’ is a sterile form of ‘Walker’s Low.’ It is compact with finely textured foliage. Its delicate foliage and flowers look wonderful trailing over a stone or brick wall. This variety stays low and spreads out wide. With a spread of up to three feet, this is great for filling in spaces without detracting from plants in the background. 

‘Junior Walker’ has beautiful periwinkle flowers. The flower spikes are long, and when in bloom, the lavender flowers obscure the grayish-green foliage. With its floriferous nature, it makes quite an impact in the summer garden. 

Blue Prelude

	botanical name Nepeta subsessilis ‘Blue Prelude’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 16”-36”
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Blue Prelude’ is a leafy catmint, and a large one at that. This variety grows up to three feet tall, and it gets there in a hurry. The foliage is large, toothy, and bright green. This one has more of a shrubby appearance.

The flower spikes are large and spaced farther apart, so the plant itself doesn’t get lost. This is an herbaceous-looking perennial plant that looks gorgeous as a focal point or in a mass planting.

Blue Dragon

	botanical name Nepeta ‘Blue Dragon’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

‘Blue Dragon’ gets its name from its rather large flowers. They strongly resemble a dragon with its mouth open. This is one of the larger varieties, reaching up to three feet tall, and the flowers are also among the largest. You won’t catch this one flopping over. While I love a good trailing plant, ‘Blue Dragon’ has a striking, upright growth habit and nice, strong stems. 

Dropmore

	botanical name Nepeta faassenii ‘Dropmore’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 18”-24”
	hardiness zones 4-8

This hybrid is the product of careful breeding to make a very hardy variety. Don’t worry about heat, wind, or rain; ‘Dropmore’ can handle it all. This is a great bloomer of blue flowers.

Cut it back after the first flush, and you’ll have an even better one later in the summer. Butterflies and bees love catmint, so think about adding this to your pollinator garden. 

Little Titch

	botanical name Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-10”
	hardiness zones 4-8

A compact, dwarf variety, ‘Little Titch’ makes an excellent border. It has a nice spread, so consider filling this one between larger plants in the garden. The foliage has a lot of texture and is slightly fuzzy. At the top of short flower spikes, clusters of blooms are a warm shade of purple toward the base and blue at the edges. 

Washfield

	botanical name Nepeta subsessilis ‘Washfield’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-8

‘Washfield’ is a mid-sized cultivar with glossy, serrated leaves that have a pinkish cast when they are young. It is considered to be the best variety of its species, with aromatic foliage and blooms that last from May to October. The flower spikes are not tall but nestle more into the plant. The blooms are pale periwinkle blue with a deeper blue toward the inside. They display pinkish accents.