← Plant Guides

How to Grow Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage

Wikimedia Commons

Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage

Lavandula spp., Nepeta spp., Perovskia atriplicifolia

herb

This is a complementary trio of Mediterranean and Central Asian perennial herbs prized for their fragrant foliage, delicate flowers, and ability to attract pollinators. All three plants thrive in similar growing conditions and create stunning purple-blue color combinations in gardens. Together they form a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance landscape that blooms throughout summer into fall.

When should you plant Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage timeline →

Example Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (8+ hours ideal)
💧
Water: Low water needs once established. Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry between waterings. These are drought-tolerant plants and prefer dry to moderately moist soil. Overwatering is the primary cause of failure.
📏
Spacing: 18-36 inches apart depending on variety (lavender 18-24", catmint 24-30", Russian sage 24-36") inches
📅
Days to maturity: Perennials establish in 2-3 years; begin flowering first year from transplants
🌱
Planting depth: Transplants: plant at same depth as nursery pot. Seeds: press into soil surface (light is required for germination)

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy or rocky loam
pH: 6.0-7.5
Amendments:
Perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage Gravel or crushed stone mulch Avoid adding excessive compost or organic matter

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Lavender thrives in zones 5-9; Catmint in zones 3-9; Russian Sage in zones 5-10. All three are compatible in zones 5-8.

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a

Sign up free to see if Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Establishment

4-8 weeks

Young transplants with emerging leaves and developing root systems

Water regularly the first month to establish deep roots, then gradually reduce watering. Avoid fertilizer. Mulch lightly around base, keeping clear of stems.

2

Vegetative Growth

Spring through early summer (8-12 weeks)

Plants develop bushy foliage; stems elongate with narrow, silvery-green leaves

Minimal supplemental water except during extreme drought. Prune tips lightly in spring to encourage branching. Do not overwater.

3

Flowering

June through September (12-16 weeks)

Tall flower spikes emerge in purple, blue, or pink tones; bees and butterflies visit freely

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Leave some flowers for wildlife and seed set. Water only during severe drought.

4

Late Season/Seed Set

September through November

Flowers dry on stems; foliage may develop richer color; ornamental seed heads persist

Allow some flowers to go to seed for wildlife food and self-seeding. Cut back dead growth in late fall or early spring. Ensure excellent drainage for winter survival.

5

Dormancy

December through March

Plants rest over winter with minimal visible growth; foliage may turn grey or silver

No watering needed in winter. Do not cut back aggressively until spring. Ensure drainage prevents water pooling around crowns. Mulch lightly if temperatures drop below zone rating.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Sedums and other succulents Salvia (sage) Coreopsis Santolina (cotton lavender) Achillea (yarrow) Alliums (ornamental onions) Roses Catmint and Russian sage with each other Lamb's ear (Stachys) Germander

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring frequent watering (hostas, astilbe, ferns) Heavy feeders that require rich soil amendments Moisture-loving perennials (daylilies in wet climates, bergenia) Aggressive spreaders that prefer moist conditions

Common Pests

  • Spray with strong water stream to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe. Improve air circulation.

  • Hand-pick beetles; apply neem oil in early spring. Remove plant debris where they overwinter.

  • Prevent with excellent drainage and infrequent watering. Remove and destroy affected plants. Amend soil with gravel and sand.

  • Yellow sticky traps; insecticidal soap; improve air circulation and reduce nitrogen fertilizer.

Uses

🍳

Fragrant Cooking & Beverages

Culinary

Lavender flowers flavor baked goods, honey, and teas with a floral sweetness. Catmint produces a milder minty tea. Both are used in herbal cuisine and honey infusions. [source]

💊

Relaxation & Sleep Support

Medicinal

Lavender is traditionally used to promote calmness and improve sleep quality due to compounds like linalool. Catmint supports digestive comfort. Both have been studied for anxiolytic properties. [source]

🏠

Natural Fragrance & Pest Control

Household

Dried lavender flowers freshen closets, drawers, and linens while naturally repelling moths and insects. Essential oils are used in cleaning products and potpourri. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Magnet

Wildlife

This trio is exceptionally attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds throughout the growing season. Provides abundant nectar and pollen during mid to late summer when other food sources are scarce. [source]

🎨

Dried Arrangements & Crafts

Craft

All three plants dry beautifully and retain color and fragrance for months, making them ideal for dried bouquets, wreaths, sachets, and craft projects. [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 culinary lavender: harvest flower buds just as they begin to open, in mid-morning after dew dries. Cut stems 6 inches from base. Dry in bundles hung upside down in cool, dark, airy location. For catmint and Russian sage: cut tender stem tips anytime for fresh use; harvest for drying at peak bloom. These plants are perennial and will resprout from pruning.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years; the ancient Romans added it to their baths for relaxation and cleanliness, and the name comes from the Latin 'lavare' meaning 'to wash.'
  • 🌱 Russian sage (Perovskia) was virtually unknown in Western gardens until the 1990s but has become one of the most popular perennials due to its exceptional drought tolerance and long blooming period—sometimes flowering until the first hard frost.
  • 🌱 Catmint attracts pollinators so effectively and tolerates poor soil and drought so well that it's becoming a major focus of sustainable landscaping; it is less vulnerable to deer and rabbit browsing than many ornamentals due to its aromatic foliage.

Gardening Terms

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

Crown Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Perennial Transplant
Shop Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Lavender with Catmint and Russian Sage timeline →