Nepeta: The Cottage Garden Freebie You’ll Fall in Love With

Rachel Howarth
May 2
4 min read

Updated: May 4

By Rach | The Cottage on Cow Lane

If you’ve been round here long enough, you’ll know I’m a sucker for a good value garden plant — and Nepeta (also called catmint) ticks all the boxes. It’s free once you’ve got it going, it smells divine, the bees go absolutely mad for it, and you can even drink it. What more could you want?

I first tried propagating my Nepeta last year and couldn’t believe how many new plants I got from one gorgeous mother plant. I’ve now got it tucked between roses and geraniums all over the garden — a dreamy combination for any cottage garden lover. The foliage has that silvery-green softness, and the flowers range from soft lilacs to purples and pinks — perfect for my calming colour scheme.

Why Grow Nepeta?

Pollinator Paradise: You’ll have bees and butterflies dancing around your borders all summer long.
Smells Lovely: Even the leaves have that fresh, minty aroma — it’s like a breath of fresh air every time you brush past.
Super Easy to Grow: Hardy, unfussy, and drought-tolerant once established.
Tea Time Treat: Pop a few fresh leaves in hot water and you’ve got a calming herbal tea that’s great for winding down.
Looks Lush: It softens borders, weaves through other plants beautifully, and adds that classic “cottage garden” feel.

Two Easy Ways to Propagate Nepeta (Because We Like a Freebie Round ‘Ere)

Straight into Compost

Snip a healthy, non-flowering stem (about 10cm long).
Trim the lower leaves, leaving just a couple at the top.
Make a hole in a small pot of compost and gently pop the cutting in.
Keep it watered and shaded — it’ll root in a few weeks.

watch how to here

Root in Water

Place the same sort of cutting in a jar of water.
Change the water every few days.
When you see roots appear (usually in 1–2 weeks), pot it up in compost and let it settle in.

Both methods are fab and ridiculously easy. I always do a few of each just to be sure — and before you know it, you’ll be giving plants away to friends and family.

Slug-Resistant Varieties to Try

If, like me, you’re not into babysitting your plants all spring, go for some of the tougher varieties:

Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ – Beautiful blue flowers, compact, and barely touched by slugs.
Nepeta racemosa ‘Little Titch’ – A shorter one, great for the front of borders.
Nepeta faassenii – Hybrid variety that’s sterile, so it doesn’t self-seed everywhere, but still spreads gently.

Cat-friendly Nepeta Varieties

While Nepeta cataria drives most cats wild, not all types have the same effect — and some are far less appealing to our feline friends.

If you want all the beauty without the bed-rolling:

Nepeta × faassenii – This popular hybrid (which includes ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Six Hills Giant’) is sterile, non-invasive, and doesn’t tend to attract cats in the same way as true catnip.
Nepeta racemosa – Another lovely option with compact growth and less cat appeal.
Nepeta ‘Junior Walker’ – A dwarf, tidy version of ‘Walker’s Low’ with excellent garden manners and very little interest from cats.

These varieties still offer all the pollinator power, pretty flowers, and lovely scent — without your plants ending up squashed into a purring nest.

Herbal Remedies from the Garden

catmint tea

Nepeta isn’t just a pretty face — it’s also known for its calming, gentle herbal properties:

Nepeta Tea: Soothes digestion, eases anxiety, and makes a lovely bedtime brew.

Benefits of Catmint Tea:

💜 Calming & Relaxing

Known for its mild sedative effects, catmint tea is often used to ease anxiety, restlessness, and nervous tension — perfect before bed.

💜 Sleep Support

It’s a natural sleep aid. Many people drink it to help with insomnia or disrupted sleep patterns.

💜 Digestive Relief

Helps soothe digestive issues like bloating, gas, cramping, and mild indigestion.

💜 Mild Pain Relief

Traditionally used to relieve headaches, menstrual cramps, and minor aches due to its antispasmodic properties.

💜 Cold & Flu Support

Slightly diaphoretic (helps you sweat), so it’s sometimes used to support the body during fevers or colds.

💜 Anti-inflammatory

Can help calm internal or external inflammation — great for sensitive tummies or as a skin rinse when cooled.

To Make the Tea:

Steep 1–2 teaspoons of fresh or dried Nepeta leaves in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Strain, sip, and relax.

Note: Catmint tea is gentle, but always check with a healthcare professional if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications.

Cold Compress: Infuse the leaves in hot water, chill it, and soak a cloth in the liquid — perfect for tired eyes or minor skin flare-ups.
Natural Bug Repellent: Some studies show Nepeta oil can repel mosquitos — not bad for something you’ve grown from a snip!

So, if you’ve got a sunny spot and fancy more flowers for free, get yourself a pot of Nepeta. One plant will give you years of joy, tea, and buzzing bees. Yorkshire frugal, garden gorgeous — just how we like it.

Let me know if you give it a go, and tag me over on Instagram if you make your own tea or manage to fill your borders for nowt!

Love,

Rach x