Hairy Catmint Plant Care
Newcastelia cephalantha F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Newcastelia cephalantha is a species of plant belonging to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and native to several Australian states: Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory
Every 5–7 days
Partial to full sun
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hairy Catmint?
Water Hairy Catmint every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hairy Catmint Native To?
What Is the Hairy Catmint?
Hairy Catmint (Newcastelia cephalantha) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Newcastelia genus. Hairy Catmint is native to several Australian states: Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Hairy Catmint displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Hairy Catmint produces small tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hairy Catmint?
Newcastelia cephalantha requires watering every 5–7 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 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hairy Catmint Need?
Hairy Catmint thrives in partial to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Catmint Prefer?
Newcastelia cephalantha grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Hairy Catmint prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Catmint?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Catmint to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Catmint?
Feed Hairy 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 Hairy Catmint?
Repot every 1-2 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 Hairy Catmint?
Hairy Catmint can be propagated through softwood cuttings, division of root ball, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to whorled catmint plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hairy Catmint Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hairy 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 Hairy Catmint?
Hairy 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 Hairy Catmint Need?
Hairy Catmint grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hairy Catmint is native to several Australian states: Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Catmint as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hairy 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 Newcastelia genus — compare its care with other Newcastelia species on PlantoScan.
Newcastelia is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Hairy Catmint thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Newcastelia cephalantha F.Muell., family Lamiaceae (first published in Fragm. 9: 4 (1875)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy 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 13a, 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Hairy Catmint Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species