Are All Types of Mint Plants Edible? However, due to differences in the chemical composition between Catmint and Catnip, Catmint does not have the same effect on cats. The plant may need the occasional water in dry period and a trim at the end of the season to tidy up plant, however, this is entirely optional. Catmint is generally considered more attractive and well-behaved in the garden than its cousin catnip and is often used as a landscape plant. Want some super-simple ways to live healthier now? The plant will spread but is not difficult to control. Unlike its close relative catnip (both are members of the mint family), catmint is better behaved and much showier. However, there are also some low-growing varieties that only reach a height of 1 ft (30 cm) and also a couple of varieties that reach 4 ft. ins.style.width = '100%'; Scientifically speaking, catnip tastes like ass. Please share in the comments! Eurasia, Macaronesia to Eastern Tropical Africa, Herbal teas from leaves. Manage Settings Catmint is most often grown by seed or through division. It works well in containers, planted along walkways, or nestled between rocks in a rock garden. Catmint originated in Temperate Eurasia and Macaronesia to Eastern Tropical Africa. Catmint is a close relative of catnip, a herb that holds a strong appeal for cats. Edible. Given how little reliable information we have about catmint, I suggest proceeding with caution with Nepeta species other than Nepeta cataria unless you find something more definite. Some people drink catnip tea to relieve digestive problems, but some people may not tolerate it well. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. However, it does spread within your garden over time and does need to be controlled to some degree. The plant produces a mass of flowers that are most commonly purple but there are also varieties that have pink, white, and yellow flowers. If you are interested in purchasing one we recommend the iPower Heating Seed Starter Germination Kit which is shown in the picture below. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Some people harvest catmint leaves to use as a culinary herb similar to mint. Lift and divide catmint clumps every three years in the spring to increase your plant stock. Japanese catmint, Nepeta subsessilisis an ideal choice if you have moist soil. Catmint could also help to relieve stomach pain and menstrual cramps too. Spearmint. window.ezoSTPixelAdd(slotId, 'stat_source_id', 44); Nepetalactone also repels insects, so its not bad to have around the house. The minty flavored leaves of catmint are commonly used in herbal teas and are thought to have various health benefits. "@type": "Organization", 'Cat's Meow' Nepeta faassenii USPP 24,472, Can 5,098. N. x faassenii, an N. racemosa hybrid also known as Faassen's catmint, is a compact mounding hybrid with small but attractive lavender flowers.It is also grown primarily for its ornamental value. Is catmint edible?The minty flavored leaves of catmint are commonly used in herbal teas and are thought to have various health benefits. This plant is edible and it even has some medicinal benefits for us too. Doesn't get any easier than that! The leaves and flowers can be steeped to make a soothing herbal tea with a mild minty taste and a sweet fragrance. The seedlings will take 6 to 8 weeks to reach a sufficiently large size to allow them to be planted out into the garden. Catnip has a more compelling scent, while catmint has more ornamental value in the landscape. Pretty But Poisonous: Deadly Mushrooms To Avoid. As a garden plant, catmint acts as a repellent for certain insects, including aphids and squash bugs. It grows and flowers freely. Overfertilizing can cause fewer flowers or plants to flop. Noted for its neat and tidy habit, Nepeta faassenii 'Purrsian Blue' (Catmint) is a compact herbaceous perennial forming a dense, rounded clump of small, aromatic, gray-green leaves all season long. Additional catnip vs catmint photo credits: w-ings, ikuyan. Nepeta grandiflora is related to true catnip (Nepeta cataria), but the leaves are lusher and the flowers are purple instead of white/pink. Consider planting low-growing Catmint around plants that attract deer browsing. This is also believed to be the origin of its genus name, Nepeta. This study looked at similar traditional uses of different catmints in various parts of the world. Deadheading spent blooms promotes additional flowering. Seedling. If you want to harvest catmint for its leaves, wait until the plant is well-established (after 2-3 years) and has produce a large amount of foliage. . Edible Herbs Catmint If you have ever seen catmint with its bountiful green foliage and clusters of small purple flowers, you may have mistaken it for lavender at first glance. "mainEntityOfPage": { It's also good for respiratory problems such as chest congestion or cold. Some catnip-related products, toys, and situations can be dangerous if used improperly. Uses Notes: Great in landscapes and containers. Required fields are marked *. But a few may be lethal if consumed in sufficient quantitiesand, The days grow shorter, and the weather chillier. Catmint is a general term that is used to describe a range of species in the Nepeta genus which includes Nepeta faassenii, Nepeta govaniana, Nepeta grandiflora, and Nepeta nervosa. It is also a natural way to help repel fleas. Aside from relieving tension and improving sleep quality, this herb also offers other health benefits. It is less picky about its soil and will grow in clay, loam, sandy, or shallow rocky soil. tall and 18 to 30 in. According to old stories about catmint, cats will only attempt to eat bruised or otherwise damaged plants. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. Mass a spreading type along a slope for easy-care, drought-tolerant erosion control. Your email address will not be published. Especially tricky is catnip vs. catmint. Its also advisable to stop or limit catmint consumption during menstruation as it may make periods heavier. Continue with Recommended Cookies. "@context": "https://schema.org", Catmint is valuable for its medicinal value, which comes from compounds it contains. Here are some other differences and similarities between the two plants: Catnip has a weedier appearance, while catmint is often used as a pretty, flowering perennial in beds. Over time, deer can become used to the smell of repellents; consider rotating brands and types to maintain effectiveness. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'plantaddicts_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-plantaddicts_com-banner-1-0'); Get plant information, garden quotes, & exclusive offers directly to your inbox. Seeds Now carries seeds for both catnip and catmint. The leaves also have also been used in salads to add fragrance. Just like lavender, catmint can be used to cover the bare "limbs" of rose bushes. Heres what it looks like in flower: If its sold at all, you might find the less attractive catnip plant with the culinary herbs. The eye-catching flowers can also attract butterflies that will help your garden thrive. They have a lovely minty flavor and a mild fragrance, making them a great aromatic addition to salads. Catmint is part of the mint family and has a light fragrance that wafts when the foliage is brushed or heated in the summer sun. "Name": "University of Minnesota Twin Cities"}] For gardeners with cats, the main difference between catmint and catnip is that only the latter will stimulate cats and make them go crazy. The seeds should be sown at a depth of 0.5 inches (1 cm) and then watered gently to avoid flooding the surface of the tray which will disturb the seeds. The plant is said to have stress-relieving properties that help reduce anxiety. Catmint 'Purrsian Blue', Garden Caminth 'Purrsian Blue', PP24788. Catmint is generally recognized as safe to use in adults, but there are a few drugs that do not interact well with this herb. I found one study in PubMed that included catmint among the edible flowers it examined, suggesting that indeed catmint is also edible. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. They require plenty of space too and should be spaced (or thinned) to at least a foot (31 cm.) "url": "https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-jmzfi5zcr2/images/stencil/344x56/new_plant_addicts_logo_1649688464__46914.original.png" Ground Cinnamon Vs. Cinnamon Stick How Do They Compare. Catmint's mounding or upright growth habit is perfect for mixed borders, as pathway edging, or in mass plantings. With all the confusion about names, most searches for whether catmint is edible will take you to a post actually describing catnip, which definitely is edible and has many studied medicinal uses. Catmint is not only good news for cats. "@type": "Article", This occasional bit of maintenance is far outweighed by the advantages it brings to the garden. "alumniOf": [{ Just like other mint family plants, Catmint is edible and not considered toxic for humans or pets. Your email address will not be published. Catmints flavor and aroma are similar to those of pennyroyal. It was one of the most common plants used for tea in England prior to the arrival of black tea from China. Need some simple, practical solutions for living healthier and greener? Nepeta plants were brought to North America by the European colonists. I can answer the catnip part Its potential health benefits come from its active essential oil, nepetalactone. The catmint herb is easy to grow. Loosen soil in the planting area and dig a hole slightly wider and deeper than the root ball. "logo": { The herbs pleasant taste and gentle action makes it suitable for treating colds, flu and fevers in children. Catmint is excellent for attracting pollinators to a garden and gardeners often plant it for this purpose. Catmint does require lots of space to grow and are aggressive growers, crowding out other plants if given the chance. It grows in a clumping mound and can reach up to three feet in height. Several Native American tribes embraced the herb for its medicinal benefits. Is catmint invasive?Catmint is not considered invasive, though catnip, its close relative, can be weedy and somewhat invasive in the right growing conditions. Once plants are a few inches (8 cm.) "url": "https://plantaddicts.com/authors/robbin-small/", Combine a dwarf variety in a container with creeping sedum, lantana and verbena. When flowers begin to fade, shear them off to encourage new growth and another wave of flowering. Given the choice between herbs and grass, however, cats are more likely . However, it can self-seed and occasionally pops up elsewhere in the landscape. If you live in a cold climate and are frequently growing plants from seed a heated propagation tray is a worthwhile investment as they are relatively low cost and will really help to get your seeds going in the early part of the growing season. Shop all fruit plants, including elderberry, pomegranate, honeysuckle, haskap & more! According to Plan Your Patch, catmint is rarely consumed raw instead, it is typically steeped in hot water to make an herbal tea. The leaves of catmint can be used fresh or dried in teas, potpourris, sachets, and herbal pillows. Catmint requires full sun and good drainage. To compare a range of different Catmint varieties click here. Spearmint is found in many pet products to help reduce bad breath. Those compounds include: Vitamins: Like many in the mint family, catmint is an excellent source of vitamin C. It contains vitamins A and K as well. . These species are generally not as fragrant as common mint and the leaves tend to a dull greenish-grey color rather than the brighter green of the common mint. Dried catnip makes for a mintier and more pleasant tea if you want to try it on its own, without other herbs. The days grow shorter, and situations can be dangerous if used improperly limit. In purchasing one we recommend the iPower Heating seed Starter Germination Kit which is in. 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