How to Grow Six Hills Giant
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Six Hills Giant
Nepeta × faassenii 'Six Hills Giant'
herbSix Hills Giant is a vigorous catmint cultivar prized for its abundant lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage. This hybrid nepeta is a robust perennial that attracts pollinators and thrives in sunny, well-drained gardens. It grows taller and more robust than standard catmint varieties, making it an excellent choice for borders and informal gardens.
When should you plant Six Hills Giant 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.
Example Six Hills Giant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Six Hills Giant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Six Hills Giant
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Six Hills Giant dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4-9, with reliable growth even in zone 3b
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Get my Six Hills Giant timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling/Transplant
2-4 weeksYoung plants with soft green foliage and minimal branching.
Keep soil lightly moist until established (2-3 weeks). Harden off transplants before planting outdoors. Plant in spring or fall.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksPlant rapidly develops multiple stems and bushy foliage; aromatic, finely-textured gray-green leaves emerge.
Water moderately and ensure excellent drainage. Pinch back tips in early season to encourage branching and bushier form.
Seed Production
August-OctoberIf not deadheaded, flowers fade and develop small seed pods.
Allow some flowers to set seed for self-seeding if desired, or deadhead to redirect energy to new blooms.
Winter Dormancy
November-MarchFoliage dies back in cold climates; in mild areas, foliage may persist but growth halts.
Cut back to 4-6 inches in late fall (zones 6 and colder) or leave standing through winter for structure. Ensure no standing water at crown.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity by misting; spray with water or insecticidal soap if severe. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
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Strong water spray to dislodge; neem oil or insecticidal soap. Encourage natural predators like ladybugs.
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Improve air circulation. Spray with sulfur dust or baking soda solution. Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering.
Uses
Herbal Tea & Flavoring
CulinaryFresh or dried catmint leaves make a fragrant, calming herbal tea with a minty-floral flavor. Leaves can also be used to flavor desserts, beverages, and light savory dishes. [source]
Digestive & Relaxation Aid
MedicinalTraditional herbalism uses catmint to support digestion, reduce anxiety, and promote relaxation. Contains compounds like nepetalactone with mild calming properties. [source]
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeAbundant flowers attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects throughout the season, making it essential for pollinator gardens. [source]
Cut & Dried Arrangements
HouseholdFlowers dry beautifully and retain color and fragrance, making them ideal for dried floral arrangements, wreaths, and craft projects. [source]
Fragrant Sachets & Potpourri
CraftDried leaves and flowers retain strong aromatic oils, perfect for creating fragrant sachets, pot-pourri, and herbal crafts. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cut flowering stems for fresh arrangements or drying throughout the bloom season. For dried flowers, harvest when blooms are fully open but before they fade, then hang-dry in a cool, airy location. For culinary or medicinal use, harvest leaves in early morning after dew dries, pinching from stem tips.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Six Hills Giant is named after the English gardens at Six Hills Nursery in Hertfordshire, where the cultivar was developed and selected for superior vigor.
- 🌱 Catmint is famously attractive to cats; many cats will roll in and rub against the plant, bruising leaves and releasing more of the nepetalactone scent they love.
- 🌱 Unlike true mint, catmint is not invasive and does not spread via underground runners, making it a well-behaved garden perennial despite its enthusiastic growth.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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