How to Grow Catmint White Wonder

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Catmint White Wonder

Nepeta × faassenii 'White Wonder'

flower

A compact perennial cultivar of catmint featuring delicate white flowers with subtle gray-green foliage. This dwarf variety is excellent for borders, containers, and rock gardens, offering reliable bloom throughout the growing season with minimal maintenance.

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

Plant Catmint White Wonder
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Catmint White Wonder blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

💧

Water: Low to moderate water needs once established. Water regularly during first season to establish deep roots, then reduce frequency. Drought-tolerant but performs best with occasional watering during dry spells. Avoid overwatering, which promotes disease.

📏

Spacing: 18 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 60-90 days to first bloom from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: Plant transplants at soil level; seeds surface-sown or barely covered

Soil

Type: Well-draining, sandy or gravelly loam

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Gravel mulch

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

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

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny leaves emerge with delicate texture; very small and fragile

Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.

Vegetative

4-6 weeks

Plant develops bushy form with gray-green lance-shaped leaves; low mounding habit

Water moderately as roots establish. Pinch back tips if needed to encourage bushier growth. No fertilizer needed if soil is adequate.

Early Flowering

2-3 weeks

First white flower spikes appear above foliage; mixed buds and open flowers

Maintain regular watering schedule. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Plant is now taking mature form.

Peak Bloom

6-10 weeks

Abundant white flowers cover the plant from top to bottom; dense flowering period

Deadhead regularly for continuous bloom. Water deeply but infrequently. Stake if needed in windy locations.

Mature/Established

Ongoing after first season

Plant becomes a compact mound with ongoing flowers; may self-seed lightly

Reduce watering significantly. Cut back in fall after frost or early spring before new growth. Divide every 3-4 years if desired.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lavender Salvia Coreopsis Rudbeckia Russian Sage Dianthus Ornamental grasses Sedum Daylilies

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring rich, moist soil High-nitrogen feeders

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil if severe. Ensure adequate air circulation.
Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering. Apply sulfur or fungicide if necessary; resistant cultivar but can occur in humid conditions.
Remove affected leaves; generally not damaging. Use insecticidal soap if populations are high.

Uses

🍳

Herbal tea

Culinary

Leaves can be dried and brewed into a mild, pleasant herbal tea with calming properties. Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor and medicinal potency. [source]

💊

Calming infusion

Medicinal

Traditionally used in herbal medicine for its mild sedative properties and to support relaxation. Contains compounds that may have anxiolytic effects similar to catnip. [source]

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Dried arrangements and potpourri

Household

White flowers dry beautifully and retain color and form well. Commonly used in dried flower arrangements, wreaths, and herbal potpourri for long-lasting ornamental and aromatic value. [source]

🦋

Pollinator garden focal point

Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the blooming season. Excellent for supporting pollinator populations in gardens. [source]

🎨

Garden design and landscaping

Craft

Compact white flowers and fine foliage texture add elegant contrast and movement to borders, rock gardens, and container plantings. Masses create striking visual impact. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Catmint is primarily ornamental but foliage can be harvested for dried arrangements or tea at any time. Cut flower spikes when they begin to open for longer vase life (3-5 days). Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the season to maximize blooming.

Fun Facts

🌱 Catmint is not the same as catnip (Nepeta cataria), though they are related genera; cats are generally less attracted to catmint than to true catnip.
🌱 The white 'White Wonder' cultivar is a sterile hybrid that produces few viable seeds, which helps prevent self-seeding issues in the garden.
🌱 Catmint flowers remain relatively pest-free due to essential oils in the foliage that act as natural deterrents.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Perennial Pinch Back

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