Cat lovers who also love to garden are likely to include cat-favorite plants in their beds, but it can get a little confusing. Especially tricky is catnip vs. catmint. All cat owners know their furry friends love the former, but what about catmint? Is it the same thing or a different plant cats enjoy? While the two plants are similar, there are important distinctions.
Are Catnip and Catmint the Same?
It can be easy to mistake these two plants as simply different names for the same thing, but they are, in fact, different plants. Both are part of the mint family and both belong to the Nepeta genus – catnip is Nepeta cataria and catmint is Nepeta mussinii. 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. Catmint flowers more continuously than catnip. Catnip flowers are typically white. Catmint flowers are lavender. Some people harvest catmint leaves to use as a culinary herb similar to mint. Both plants attract bees and butterflies in the garden. Both plants are fairly easy to grow.
Do Cats Want Catmint or Catnip?
For gardeners with cats, the main difference between catmint and catnip is that only the latter will stimulate cats and make them go crazy. Catnip leaves contain a compound called nepetalactone. This is what cats love and what induces them to eat the leaves that give them a euphoric high. Nepetalactone also repels insects, so it’s not bad to have around the house. Some people report that their cats show some interest in catmint. Those that do are more likely to roll around in the leaves than to eat them as they do with catnip. If you are looking for a plant to grow purely for the enjoyment of your cats, go with catnip, but if you want a prettier perennial with ongoing blooms, catmint is the better choice.
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Cutting Back Catnip: Should I Prune Catnip PlantsCatnip is a no-fuss, easy-to-grow member of the mint family that requires little maintenance. What about pruning catnip plants though? Is cutting back catnip necessary? Click here to find out about pruning catnip plants and, if need be, how to prune catnip.
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Planting Catnip For Cats: How To Grow Catnip For Cat UseIf you have cats, then you are more than likely to have given them catnip or have toys for them that contain catnip. As much as your cat appreciates this, he/she would love you even more if you provided them with fresh catnip. Learn about planting catnip for cats here.
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Treating Catnip Diseases – How To Manage Problems With CatnipThere are few issues that will seriously affect the plant's health. They take quite a lot of abuse from overly interested neighborhood felines. However, if your plant looks sick, fungal issues are probably the most common diseases of catnip. Learn more here.
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Catnip Propagation Methods – Tips For Growing New Catnip Herb PlantsDoes kitty love her catnip toys? Well then, perhaps you should grow your own catnip herb plants. Don’t know how to propagate catnip? Growing new catnip plants is easy. Click on the following article to find out about catnip propagation.
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What Is Catnip For: Learn About Various Uses For CatnipThe name says it all, or almost all. Catnip is a common herb that you can cultivate in the garden but that also grows wild. Knowing how to use catnip means you can put this plentiful herb to good use for both you and your feline friends. Learn more in this article.
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Catnip Plant Varieties: Growing Different Species Of NepetaCatnip is a member of the mint family. There are several types of catnip, each easy to grow, vigorous and attractive. Learn more about the various types of catnip plants that you can add to your garden here in this article.
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