Mussinii faassenii, Nepeta Seeds

Mussinii faassenii Catmint Seed

Aromatic lavender-blue catmint forms a broad silvery-green mound
Sterile hybrid flowers without unwanted seedling spread
Shearing after bloom encourages renewed compact growth
Deer and rabbits generally avoid the fragrant foliage

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Nepeta × faassenii

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

100 Seeds

Zones 3–8 Check your growing zone

About Mussinii faassenii, Catmint Seed, Catmint Seed

This is a sterile hybrid perennial catmint which typically forms a spreading clump to 18-24” tall and spreading to as much as 36” wide. Gray-green leaves and lavender-blue flowers are highly aromatic. Space plants 1-1.5 ft. apart and shear after flowering to repeat bloom.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/8"

Days to Germination

10–21 days

Germination Type

C30 - Cold Moist 30 Days

In-row plant spacing

18-24"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Perennial

Hardiness Zone

Zones 3-8

Plant Height

24 inches

Growth Habits

Mounding, Spreading

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

47,000

Color

Purple

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Prepare for Catmint by selecting a full-sun to lightly shaded site with fertile, well-drained soil that retains moderate moisture. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine, weed-free surface for the usually small seed. Plan convenient irrigation, and use containers or barriers before planting if catmint may spread aggressively.

Planting

Sow catmint indoors several weeks before the last frost or direct sow when the crop’s preferred soil temperature is reached. Maintain even surface moisture through germination, especially for fine or slow seed. Give indoor seedlings strong light, harden them before transplanting, and thin direct-sown plants after true leaves appear. Repeat sowings where young leaves are harvested continuously.

Watering

Keep catmint moderately and consistently moist, watering when the upper soil begins to dry. Apply water at the root zone and avoid prolonged saturation or repeatedly wet foliage.

Fertilizer

Feed catmint lightly with a balanced or nitrogen-containing fertilizer during active leaf growth. Avoid overapplication, which can create weak growth and reduce flavor or essential-oil concentration.

Harvesting

Harvest catmint leaves or tender stems after plants establish, preferably before flowering for strongest flavor. Cut just above a leaf node and remove no more than one-third of the plant at once.

Tips

Grow catmint in containers or install root barriers where spreading is a concern. Cut plants back before seed forms, and divide crowded clumps regularly to maintain manageable, vigorous growth.

Pests & Diseases

Catmint rarely suffers serious disease, but powdery mildew, Septoria leaf spot, and crown rot occur in shade or wet soil. Shear off spotted or mildewed growth after flowering to stimulate clean regrowth. Replace plants with decaying crowns and correct drainage before replanting; chronic dampness is the underlying problem.

Tender catmint growth should be checked for aphids, whiteflies, mites, leafminers, slugs, and beetles. Confirm the culprit before treatment; minor damage is often managed by pruning or hand removal.