How to Grow Walker's Low Catmint
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Walker's Low Catmint
Nepeta × faassenii 'Walker's Low'
flowerWalker's Low is a compact, long-blooming catmint cultivar known for its profusion of lavender-blue flowers and aromatic, soft-textured foliage. This hybrid perennial is exceptionally floriferous and maintains a tidy mounding form throughout the growing season. It's a favorite among gardeners for its reliability, low maintenance requirements, and ability to attract pollinators.
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Example Walker's Low Catmint timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Walker's Low Catmint
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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First Walker's Low Catmint blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Walker's Low Catmint dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; performs exceptionally well in zones 5-8
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Establishment
4-6 weeksYoung plants develop a low, spreading root system and early leaf growth. Foliage is delicate and light green.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Plant in spring after last frost or in early fall. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates during first season.
Vegetative Growth
6-8 weeksPlant develops dense mounding foliage with silvery-green, finely textured leaves. Stems branch prolifically and spread outward.
Water regularly during dry periods. Pinch back in late spring if you want bushier growth, though Walker's Low naturally forms a compact shape. Remove any dead or damaged stems.
Early Flowering
2-3 weeksFirst flower spikes emerge from leaf axils with small lavender-blue tubular flowers arranged in whorls. Flowering begins in late spring.
Reduce watering slightly as plant enters bloom phase. Light fertilizer with low nitrogen encourages flowering over foliage. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming.
Peak Bloom
8-10 weeksPlant is covered in profuse lavender-blue flowers creating a hazy, cloud-like appearance. Full flowering period lasts 8-10 weeks or longer.
Deadhead regularly to maintain continuous flowering through summer. Water during extended drought. Cut back stems by one-third mid-season if plant becomes leggy for a fresh flush of flowers.
Senescence & Dormancy
Variable; 4-6 months depending on climateFlowering tapers in late summer/fall. Foliage may yellow slightly. Plant enters dormancy in winter; stems dry down.
Cut back completely in late fall or early spring (before new growth emerges) to 2-3 inches above ground. Leave dead stems through winter in cold climates for frost protection.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur dust or neem oil if severe. Plant in full sun to reduce humidity.
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Spray with strong water jet to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if infestation is severe. Increase humidity slightly to deter.
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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and
Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use beer traps, diatomaceous earth, or copper barriers. Remove debris where they hide.
Uses
Cut & Dried Flowers
HouseholdThe delicate lavender-blue flowers dry beautifully and retain color for months, making them ideal for dried arrangements, wreaths, and decorative crafts. [source]
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeWalker's Low is highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, serving as a valuable nectar source throughout its long bloom period. [source]
Edible Garnish & Tea
CulinaryLike other catmints, the leaves and flowers are edible with a mild minty flavor and can be used fresh as garnish or steeped into a soothing herbal tea. [source]
Herbal Remedy
MedicinalCatmint has been traditionally used in herbal medicine to support digestion, calm nerves, and reduce fever; the leaves contain volatile oils with potential calming properties. [source]
Aromatherapy & Sachets
CraftThe aromatic foliage can be dried and used in sachets, potpourri, and aromatherapy crafts for its fresh, minty-herbal scent. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Walker's Low is an ornamental flower not harvested for food. For cut flowers, cut stems in early morning when flowers are fresh; condition in cool water. For dried flowers, cut when blooms are fully open and hang upside-down in a dry, dark location for 2-3 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Walker's Low was named after the English garden designer and plantsman John Walker, who propagated and championed this outstanding cultivar at his Washfield Nursery in Essex.
- 🌱 Catmints are in the Lamiaceae (mint) family and have aromatic foliage that is attractive to cats—the plant's common name comes from this feline appeal, though its potency is less dramatic than catnip (Nepeta cataria).
- 🌱 Walker's Low is sterile and doesn't produce viable seed, meaning it won't self-seed in the garden; all plants are propagated through division or cuttings, ensuring genetic uniformity of this superior cultivar.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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