How to Grow Catmint 'Snowflake'

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Catmint 'Snowflake'

Nepeta × faassenii 'Snowflake'

flower

Catmint 'Snowflake' is a compact, mounding perennial with delicate white flowers and soft gray-green foliage. This cultivar is a sterile hybrid that blooms continuously throughout the growing season without setting seed, making it excellent for borders and containers.

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Example Catmint 'Snowflake' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Catmint 'Snowflake'
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Catmint 'Snowflake' blooms
Around Jun 16

≈ 60 days after planting

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates

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Water: Low to moderate water needs once established. Water regularly during establishment (first season), then only during extended drought. Drought-tolerant mature plants; overwatering causes root rot.

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Spacing: 12 inches

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

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Planting depth: Plant transplants at soil level; seed can be surface-sown or lightly pressed into soil

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or gravelly loam

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

compost perlite or sand for drainage gravel mulch

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-9, cold-hardy to zone 3b

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

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings with first true leaves appearing; very delicate at this stage

Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light; thin seedlings to 2-3 inches apart

Establishment

4-6 weeks

Young transplants developing root system and branching structure; 4-6 inches tall

Water consistently but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid overwatering; pinch back at 3-4 inches to encourage bushiness

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Plant becomes fuller and more mounding; dense gray-green foliage developing; 8-12 inches tall

Reduce watering frequency as drought tolerance improves; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; minimal fertilizer needed

Flowering

12+ weeks (June through October)

Abundant tiny white flowers on 12-18 inch stems; blooms appear continuously through summer and fall

Deadhead regularly to maintain bloom production and shape; reduce waterings to once weekly; no fertilizer needed

Senescence

4-6 weeks

Flowers fade in late fall; foliage may turn brown with first frost; plant dies back to ground in cold zones

Cut back dead stems to 3-4 inches in late fall or early spring; apply mulch (2-3 inches) in zones 3-5; leave standing for winter interest if desired

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Russian Sage Coreopsis Black-eyed Susan Salvia Lavender Sedum Lamb's Ear Ornamental grasses Allium

Avoid planting near:

plants requiring consistently moist soil heavy feeders that prefer rich soil dense shade-loving plants

Common Pests

Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs
Increase humidity; spray with water; use miticide if severe; ensure good air circulation
Yellow sticky traps; neem oil spray; encourage parasitic wasps

Uses

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Cut Flowers & Arrangements

Household

White catmint flowers are delicate and charming in fresh bouquets and dried arrangements. The airy texture works well in cottage garden style floral designs. [source]

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Pollinator Garden

Wildlife

Catmint attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators throughout the growing season. The continuous blooming ensures reliable nectar and pollen sources. [source]

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Dried Flowers

Household

Flowers dry well and retain their white color, making them excellent for dried flower crafts and potpourri. [source]

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Herbal Tea

Culinary

Catmint leaves can be steeped into a mild, pleasant tea with a slightly minty flavor. Harvest leaves before or just as flowers begin to open. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Remedy

Medicinal

Catmint has been used traditionally to soothe digestive upset and promote relaxation. It contains volatile oils and compounds with mild calming properties. [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 not typically harvested, but flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements at any time during bloom. Cut stems in morning when flowers are fully open. The plant benefits from deadheading faded flowers to extend bloom season. In late fall, cut entire plant back to 3-4 inches above ground.

Fun Facts

🌱 Catmint 'Snowflake' is a sterile hybrid, meaning it produces no viable seeds; this feature causes it to bloom prolifically all season long rather than stopping once seed-set occurs.
🌱 Despite its common name, catmint does not contain nepetalactone (the active compound in catnip that affects cats), so it does not attract cats the way true catnip does.
🌱 Nepeta has been cultivated for over 2,000 years and was used by ancient Romans as a medicinal herb.

Gardening Terms

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

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Perennial Pinch Back Transplant True Leaves

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