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catmint for cats

If you’re a cat lover and a keen gardener, growing catmint for cats is a natural way to delight your feline friends and add beauty to your outdoor spaces. Catmint (Nepeta) is a hardy perennial herb known for its aromatic foliage and clusters of blue-purple flowers. While it resembles catnip, catmint is generally more often grown for its ornamental value but is still enjoyed by many cats for its enticing scent and gentle effects. Choosing catmint for cats can bring playful moments and pollinator-friendly vibes to your garden, all in one easy-to-grow package.

Dactylis glomerata plant with a cat.

Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

5 from 1 customers

Dactylis glomerata, commonly known as Cat Grass or Catnip Grass, is a popular grass that is loved by cats. It features flowing, green foliage held as a dense clump and typically grows to 40 cm tall and 60 cm wide. Dactylis glomerata is commonly planted alongside water features such as ponds and streams, mass planted either as a groundcover or on a bank, included in borders, used in rock gardens, or maintained in a container. A mass planting gives an outstanding display and is one of the best ways to showcase this plant.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Grasses
Height: 40 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.

Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

5 from 10 customers

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white flowers in summer. In New Zealand, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It’s perfect for covering fences, walls, or pergolas, and can also be used as a groundcover or in containers. Star Jasmine is low-maintenance, frost-tolerant once established, and ideal for adding year-round structure and sweet perfume to NZ gardens.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White
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Nepeta 'Walkers Low' blue flowers.
Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Walker's Low' is an award winning Catmint admired for its long flowering season and aromatic grey green foliage. From late spring through...

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Nepeta mussinii with blue flowers and lush foliage.
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Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' green foliage and blue flowers.
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Nepeta faassenii plants with blue flowers in a border.
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Rose 'Double Delight' pink and cream-coloured flowers.
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A Calathea insignis (Rattlesnake Plant) growing in a tropical garden.
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ceropegia-woodii-
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Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine) bordering steps to a house.
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Chamaedorea cataractarum (Cat Palm) in a tropical garden and featuring lush, green foliage.
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Chamaedorea cataractarum, commonly known as the Cat Palm, Cascade Palm, or Cataract Palm, produces upright stems that carry very aesthetic, dark...

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Dactylis glomerata (Cat Grass)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Calathea, Cordyline, and Dactylis, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Grasses, and Indoor Plants.

Search catmint for cats

What Makes Catmint Appealing to Cats?

Catmint contains the compound nepetalactone, which affects about half of domestic cats, triggering joyful behaviour such as rolling, rubbing, and playfulness. Each variety offers slightly different scents and appearances, but all are safe for cats and non-toxic when nibbled in moderation. Growing catmint for cats is an excellent way to enrich your pet’s environment, especially for indoor-outdoor cats who love to explore sensory delights in the backyard.

Best Varieties of Catmint for Cats

Not all catmint varieties are created equal when it comes to attracting felines. To get the most enjoyment for your pets and your garden, explore some of these tried-and-true cultivars:

Planting and Caring for Catmint for Your Cats

Catmint thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it a low-maintenance addition to most New Zealand gardens. Plant these perennials in free-draining spots where cats have safe access, ensuring they can enjoy brushing or rolling against the aromatic stems. Deadheading spent blossoms encourages further blooms, offering months of pollinator activity and ongoing entertainment for your pets. If your garden is home to both cats and pollinators, consider planting alongside salvia varieties such as Salvia 'Blue Hill' for a harmonious, bee-friendly habitat.

Is Catmint Safe for Cats?

Yes, catmint is completely safe for cats and is often chosen by animal lovers who want to avoid potentially harmful ornamental plants. Eating, rubbing, or rolling in catmint will not harm your furry friend but moderation is key, especially if your cat has a sensitive stomach. Always keep an eye on how your pet responds to new plants and consult your vet if you have any concerns.

Enhance Your Garden and Delight Your Cat

Bringing catmint for cats into your landscape is a wonderful way to add a sensory-rich element to your garden while keeping your pets happy and active. With beautiful varieties like Nepeta 'Walkers Low' (Catmint), Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint), Nepeta mussinii (Catmint), and Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' (Catmint), you can create a vibrant space that’s as appealing to your family as it is to your cats.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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