Catmint in April: monthly care

Catmint thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it ideal for sunny borders, gravel gardens, and edging paths. It tolerates loam, sandy soil, and chalky soil equally well, but good drainage is essential—waterlogged roots will quickly lead to rot. Choose a spot that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flowering and compact growth. Plant catmint in March, April, or May for establishment before summer, or in September and October to take advantage of autumn rains and allow roots to settle before winter. Space plants 45 cm apart to allow for their mature spread of 40–60 cm; they will knit together to form a soft, billowing mass within a season or two. Prepare the soil by removing weeds and digging in a little grit or sharp sand if your ground is heavy clay. Dig a planting hole slightly larger than the root ball, set the plant at the same depth it was growing in its pot, and firm the soil gently around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. If planting in spring, water regularly for the first few weeks until you see new growth. Autumn-planted catmint needs less attention but should not be allowed to dry out completely before winter sets in. A light mulch of gravel or grit around the base helps suppress weeds and improves drainage, especially on heavier soils. Avoid rich, moisture-retentive mulches like compost, which can encourage soft, floppy growth and reduce the plant's natural drought tolerance.

Catmint is a low-maintenance perennial once established, with low water needs and minimal feeding requirements. After the first growing season, it tolerates drought well and should only need watering during prolonged dry spells in summer. Overwatering or planting in heavy, moisture-retentive soil encourages weak, floppy growth and can lead to root rot, so err on the side of dryness. Feed lightly in March or April with a general-purpose granular fertiliser or a handful of blood, fish, and bone scattered around the base of the plant. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds, which produce lush foliage at the expense of flowers and reduce the plant's natural hardiness. One feed per year is sufficient; catmint performs well even in poor, lean soils and does not need rich conditions. Catmint is hardy to zone 3a and requires no special protection over winter in temperate Europe. The crown is fully frost-hardy, and the plant will die back naturally in late autumn, re-emerging reliably in spring. Mulching is unnecessary and can do more harm than good by trapping moisture around the crown. Pests are rarely a problem. Catmint's aromatic foliage deters most insects, though you may occasionally see aphids on soft new growth in spring—a strong jet of water usually dislodges them. Powdery mildew can appear in late summer, especially in dry conditions or where air circulation is poor, but it is largely cosmetic and does not seriously harm the plant. Cutting back after flowering helps prevent this. Slugs and snails generally avoid the hairy, scented leaves, making catmint a reliable choice for low-input gardens.