Pollinator plant

Catmint

Nepeta cataria

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Common names

21 names

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

English
Dutch
  • Wild kattekruid
  • Wild kattenkruid[2]
French
  • Cataire
  • Chataire[2]
  • Népéta cataire[2]
German
Italian
  • Erba gatta[2]
  • Gattaia comune[2]
  • Gattaria[2]
Portuguese
  • Erva-de-gato[2]
  • Erva-gateira[2]
  • Gatária[2]
  • Nêveda-de-gato[2]
Spanish
  • Hierba del gato[2]
  • Menta de gato[2]
  • Menta gatuna[2]

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Nepeta cataria — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Catmint — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Nepeta cataria.
  • Catnip — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Nepeta cataria.
  • Catswort — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Nepeta cataria.
[2] Nepeta cataria — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Catmint — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Catnip — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Echte Katzenminze — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Katzenmelisse — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Hierba del gato — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Menta de gato — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Menta gatuna — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Chataire — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Népéta cataire — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Erba gatta — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Gattaia comune — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Gattaria — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Wild kattenkruid — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Erva-de-gato — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Erva-gateira — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Gatária — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
  • Nêveda-de-gato — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 48622; Nepeta cataria.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Nepeta cataria ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Catnip — VernacularName.tsv, line 159761; taxon 46XJB.
  • Echte Katzenminze (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159762; taxon 46XJB.
  • Cat-mint (EN) — VernacularName.tsv, line 159760; taxon 46XJB.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Nepeta cataria is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Lamiaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Plant habit
Clumping; Erect; Spreading

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry; Very Dry

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Autumn; Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe and Asia

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees, butterflies, moths.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Nepeta species in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

Genus-level guidance, not a rating for this individual species or a particular cultivar. RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3] [4]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Medium suitability
Nectar value Medium
Pollen value Unknown
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Herbaceous
Size
Small
Dimensions
1.00 m high × 0.60 m wide
Lifecycle
Perennial

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
3-7
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Leaves, Seasoning, Tea
Functions
Essential oil, Herbicide, Repellent, Pollinator plant, Fragrant
Edibility
3 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

Young leaves can be eaten raw and have a fresh minty flavor, making them perfect for salads. Older leaves are often used as a seasoning in cooked dishes. Fresh or dried leaves can also be used to make an aromatic herbal tea.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Nepeta cataria — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 751012; ID 46XJB; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 751012; ID 46XJB; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Nepeta cataria — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Plant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Plants Of The World

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 2, entry Nepeta species (top 172 pt)

    Source checked on .

  4. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Garden Plants

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 4, column 2, entry Nepeta species (top 142 pt)

    Source checked on .