Caring for Catmint

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.