Japanese Catmint Plant Care
Nepeta subsessilis Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nepeta subsessilis, the short-stalked catmint, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, from Japan. Growing to 100 cm (39 in) tall by 50 cm (20 in) broad, it is an erect herbaceous perennial with fresh, aromatic green leaves and soft blue flowers in summer and autumn.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Catmint?
Water Japanese 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 Japanese Catmint?
Japanese Catmint (Nepeta subsessilis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Nepeta genus.
Japanese Catmint displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Japanese Catmint produces small tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Catmint?
Nepeta subsessilis 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 Japanese Catmint Need?
Japanese Catmint thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Catmint Prefer?
Nepeta subsessilis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Japanese Catmint prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Catmint?
Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Catmint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Catmint?
Feed Japanese 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 Japanese 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 Japanese Catmint?
Japanese 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 Japanese Catmint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese 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 Japanese Catmint?
Japanese 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 Japanese Catmint Need?
Japanese Catmint grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Catmint as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese 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.
Japanese 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 subsessilis Maxim., family Lamiaceae (first published in Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg , sér. 3, 20: 469 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese 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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