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How to Grow Blue Wonder Catmint

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Blue Wonder Catmint

Nepeta × faassenii 'Blue Wonder'

herb

Blue Wonder Catmint is a compact, mounding perennial herb known for its vibrant blue-purple flowers and aromatic silvery-green foliage. This cultivar is a sterile hybrid that blooms continuously throughout the growing season, making it an excellent choice for borders, containers, and pollinator gardens. The plant is drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and beloved by bees and butterflies.

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Example Blue Wonder Catmint timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Blue Wonder Catmint

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Blue Wonder Catmint

    Around Jun 16

    ≈ 60 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blue Wonder Catmint dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates)
💧
Water: Low to moderate water needs; drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during first growing season. After establishment, water only during extended dry periods. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
📏
Spacing: 12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first flowers from transplant
🌱
Planting depth: Plant at same depth as container; seeds barely covered with soil if direct sowing

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy or sandy soil
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Perlite for drainage Compost for structure Avoid excessive organic matter

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling/Transplant

3-4 weeks

Young plants with small, soft, hairy leaves and thin stems. Limited foliage.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Harden off transplants gradually before planting outdoors.

2

Establishment

4-6 weeks

Plants develop fuller, mounding shape with more silvery-green foliage. Root system expanding.

Water regularly, especially during first month after planting. Mulch around base to retain moisture. Avoid overwatering.

3

Vegetative/Growth

6-8 weeks

Compact, bushy plant with dense aromatic foliage, reaching mature dimensions (typically 12-18 inches tall and wide).

Reduce watering frequency as drought tolerance increases. No fertilizer needed; too much nitrogen causes weak growth. Pinch tips early in season to encourage bushiness.

4

Flowering

12+ weeks (May/June through September/October)

Prolific spikes of small blue-purple flowers emerge above foliage. Continuous blooming throughout season.

Deadhead spent flower spikes regularly to encourage more blooms and extend flowering season into fall. Drought-tolerant at this stage.

5

Senescence/Winter Dormancy

October/November through March/April

Foliage may fade or turn brownish in fall. Plant dies back in cold climates or remains semi-evergreen in milder zones.

Do not cut back until spring to protect crown from frost damage. Remove dead foliage in early spring before new growth. No special winter care needed in hardy zones.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Salvia Russian Sage Coreopsis Black-eyed Susan Sedum Ornamental grasses Daylily Blanket Flower Catmint (other Nepeta varieties)

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistently moist soil Shade-loving perennials Plants sensitive to dry conditions

Common Pests

  • Ensure good air circulation. Water at soil level, not foliage. Remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur or neem oil if needed. Most catmint varieties are quite resistant.

  • Spray with strong water jet to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for heavy infestations. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.

  • Increase humidity by misting. Spray with water forcefully. Use neem oil or miticide if severe. Usually only problematic in very hot, dry conditions.

  • Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure good air circulation.

Uses

🍳

Herbal tea and beverages

Culinary

Fresh or dried catmint leaves can be steeped into a floral, slightly minty tea with a gentle flavor. Historically used as a caffeine-free beverage and in herbal blends. [source]

💊

Traditional herbal remedy

Medicinal

Catmint has been traditionally used in folk medicine to support digestive comfort, calm nervousness, and promote relaxation. Modern herbalists include it in calming tea blends. [source]

🎨

Dried flower arrangements and crafts

Craft

The delicate blue-purple flower spikes dry beautifully and retain color well, making them ideal for dried arrangements, wreaths, and other floral crafts. [source]

🦋

Pollinator magnet

Wildlife

Blue Wonder Catmint is beloved by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent choice for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]

🏠

Fragrant dried herbs and sachets

Household

Dried catmint foliage and flowers retain a pleasant, aromatic scent and can be used in sachets, potpourri, and herbal crafts for subtle fragrance. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

For fresh use: Pinch or cut stems throughout the growing season, ideally in morning after dew dries. For drying: Cut stems just as flowers are opening, tie in bundles, and hang dry in a well-ventilated area. For deadheading to promote blooms: Remove flower spikes after they fade. The entire aerial portion can be harvested in late summer/early fall for drying.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Blue Wonder Catmint is a sterile hybrid (Nepeta × faassenii), meaning it cannot produce viable seeds, but this actually benefits gardeners because it flowers continuously without setting seed—it keeps blooming all season rather than stopping once reproduction is achieved.
  • 🌱 Catmint is named for its attraction to cats; like catnip, it contains nepetalactone, a compound that produces a euphoric response in felines. Many cats enjoy rolling in and nibbling catmint plants, though they are generally gentler with catmint than with catnip.
  • 🌱 Catmint has been cultivated in European gardens for centuries and was used in medieval monasteries for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It remains a staple of cottage gardens and pollinator-friendly plantings worldwide.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Crown Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Perennial Transplant
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