Lesser Catmint Plant Care
Nepeta nepetella L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nepeta nepetella, common name lesser cat-mint, is a low-growing species of catnip belonging to the family Lamiaceae. It is native to France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, and Morocco.SubspeciesNepeta nepetella subsp.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Lesser Catmint?
Water Lesser Catmint every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Lesser Catmint?
Lesser Catmint (Nepeta nepetella) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Nepeta genus. Lesser Catmint is native to France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, and Morocco. Lesser Catmint is also known as Italian Catmint.
Lesser Catmint displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lesser Catmint produces small tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lesser Catmint?
Nepeta nepetella requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lesser Catmint Need?
Lesser Catmint thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lesser Catmint Prefer?
Nepeta nepetella grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Lesser Catmint prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lesser Catmint?
Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Lesser Catmint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lesser Catmint?
Feed Lesser Catmint every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Lesser Catmint?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Lesser Catmint?
Lesser Catmint can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to catnip plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lesser Catmint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lesser Catmint, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lesser Catmint?
Lesser Catmint is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lesser Catmint Need?
Lesser Catmint grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lesser Catmint is native to France, Spain, Italy, Algeria, and Morocco. In cooler regions, grow Lesser Catmint as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Lesser Catmint is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Nepeta genus — compare its care with other Nepeta species on PlantoScan.
Nepeta is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Lesser Catmint thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Nepeta Species
Other Nepeta species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nepeta nepetella L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Syst. Nat. ed. 10 , 2: 1096 (1759)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lesser Catmint, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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