If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, hardy perennial, catmint (Nepeta) is an excellent choice. Catmint is often confused with catnip because it looks a lot like catnip. It has rich purple flowers that make it stand out, and people like it more for their looks than for their medicinal uses. As a member of the mint family, it has the fragrant leaves that make mint plants so popular.
Catmint is a great team player in the garden. Cats adore it, and many plants thrive next to it. You can make a garden that grows well and looks great by carefully choosing plants that do well in the conditions they are in and like the way they look.
When selecting companion plants for catmint, consider factors like plant height, growth patterns, and space needs. Here are 21 companion plants that are perfect partners for catmint.
Roses are one of the most popular types of fresh flowers, and they look great in any garden. They are prized for their plentiful and fragrant blooms and pair exceptionally well with catmints. The cool-toned foliage and flowers of catmint provide a pleasing contrast to the vibrant hues of the roses. Both plants flourish in full sun and require well-drained soil.
Bee balm is a win-win plant; it attracts butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds and pairs well with catmint. Bee balm grows in almost any soil condition but thrives in evenly moist ones. It comes from the mint family, so it spreads easily. From mid to late summer, it will bloom a lot. Zones 4-8.
Chives are a delicious herb with a mild onion-like smell that repels aphids and mites. Putting down small groups of chives next to catmint will keep bugs away because they smell so bad. The large pom-pom flowers of chive plants will also attract pollinating bees.
To get chives, cut off the green stems with scissors and chop the leaves into salads, soups, and dips.
Thyme, a low-growing perennial herb, is a must-have in every vegetable garden. It thrives in similar growing conditions as catmint. The tiny, delicate flowers of thyme are irresistible to insects that boost pollination and keep pests under control. Thyme also contains compounds that can repel ants, aphids, and wireworms.
Incorporating marigolds is a good way to add visual interest and texture diversity. Their bright red, orange, and yellow flowers bring good bugs into the garden, like butterflies and bees that pollinate plants and wasps that eat pests.
Beautiful peonies come in big, fragrant blooms in pink, red, white, and yellow. They are often used in fresh flower arrangements. Their glossy leaves and early summer blooming make them a standout choice for indoor displays.
Speedwell displays spikes of vivid blue flowers and is appreciated for its durability and long blooming period. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade and needs well-drained soil. Speedwell is easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering once established, and adds vertical interest to gardens. Zones 3-8.
Sage is a low-maintenance perennial herb that deters cabbage moths, a troublesome insect that targets several vegetable crops. Its flowers also attract many beneficial insects that boost pollination and keep aphids under control.
Sage thrives alongside catmint, which shares similar environmental preferences and growth habits. Sage is easy to grow from cuttings, so put this tasty herb in all of your vegetable beds to get the most out of them.
Daylilies are a favorite in many gardens. They come in a spectrum of yellow shades, from light to deep golden. These easy-to-care-for plants do well in full sun and partial shade.
Each flower only blooms for one day, but there are so many buds that the blooming season lasts for weeks. As perennials, Daylilies return yearly, growing more robust and producing more flowers as they age.
Lavender’s striking purple color and soothing aroma attract butterflies and make it a perfect companion for catmint. These two also share similar environmental preferences and growth habits. Lavender can be harvested and dried for culinary creations, home decor, and aromatherapy.
Yarrow produces clusters of small, flat-topped flowers in colors including yellow, white, pink, and red. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun. Yarrow attracts beneficial insects and serves as an excellent ground cover.
Sweet alyssum might be the answer if you often have problems with aphids in the vegetable plot. This low-growing annual flower attracts parasitoid wasps very well, and these wasps are one of the best bugs for getting rid of pests. Sweet alyssum self-seeds easily without becoming too invasive.
Lamb’s ear is known for its fuzzy leaves with a gray-green, silver, frost-like appearance. This low-growing ground cover forms a dense carpet that effectively blocks sunlight, preventing weeds from growing.
Salvia plants are recognized for their spikes of purple flowers and are drought-tolerant, thriving in full sun. There are types of salvia that come back year after year in most climates, and there are also types that can be grown as annuals or biennials.
Dahlias are loved for their vibrant, showy blooms. They come in a wide array of colors and sizes and are a favorite among pollinators. Dahlias add a splash of color and charm to any outdoor space, whether they are in flower beds, edges, or pots.
Blooming from mid-summer until the first frost, these perennials thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Catmint will help them bloom longer, making them excellent companion plants. They are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
Its bright, daisy-like flowers bloom in late summer and fall, adding vibrant colors to the sunny garden. The flowers are in shades of yellow, red, and bronze, making them ideal for cutting. Despite its name, it does not cause sneezing or allergies. Zone 3-10.
Oregano is a perennial herb much loved by gardeners for its pest-repellent abilities. It grows in the same way that catmint does, and like most herbs, a few oregano plants scattered around your vegetable garden can give you a lot of benefits.
Borage is a low-maintenance annual plant that will be buzzing with insects feeding on its delicate purple flowers. This plant does well with catmint because it can handle dry conditions and doesn’t need a lot of water.
With their striking yellow flowers, Black-Eyed Susans are excellent at attracting butterflies. These hardy, sun-loving plants can thrive in various conditions, making them a versatile choice for any butterfly garden. They are relatively pest-free, blooming in midsummer until hard frost. Plant this pretty plant along a fence or as a ground cover in sunny spots. You can also grow it in big groups in your flower or vegetable garden. Zones 3-9.
Agastache is a favorite among bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. It features tall spikes of fragrant flowers in purple, pink, and orange shades, perfect for pairing with catmint. Agastache requires full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is fairly pest-free and will bloom through summer. Zones 4-10.
Catmint Walker’s Low (Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’) is a popular perennial known for its aromatic foliage and long bloom time. With its mounded shape and showy purple flowers it makes an excellent addition to borders rock gardens, and cottage gardens. But what should you plant beside this garden staple? The good news is catmint pairs well with many other plants.
When selecting companion plants, consider ones with complementary colors, textures, and growing needs. Catmint’s silvery-green foliage and purple blooms look stunning alongside pink, white, yellow, blue, and orange flowers Feathery grasses provide nice contrast to catmint’s rounded shape. And choosing plants with similar growing conditions reduces maintenance needs.
Here are some of the best companion plants to grow with catmint Walker’s Low:
Pink Flowers
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Roses – Plant catmint around the base of roses, It repels aphids plus fills in bare rose stems
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Dianthus – Low-growing dianthus and catmint flower simultaneously in spring and summer.
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Peonies – Peony blooms in late spring give way to catmint’s summer show.
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Alstroemeria – Perennial Lily of the Valley provides pink or orange flowers.
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Thrift (Armeria) – Evergreen thrift offers pink blooms on compact mounds.
White Flowers
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Astilbe – Feathery plumes of white astilbe contrast nicely with catmint.
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Shasta Daisy – The iconic perennial daisy pairs perfectly.
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Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium) – Silver-gray foliage and white flowers complement catmint.
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Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila) – Airy white flowers on wispy stems create delicate pairing.
Yellow & Orange Flowers
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Coreopsis – Cheerful daisy-like flowers in yellows and oranges.
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Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia) – Yellow coneflowers are summertime classics.
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Blanket Flower (Gaillardia) – Heat-loving perennial with daisy-like orange and yellow blooms.
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Daylilies – Reliable, drought-tolerant daylilies come in many colors including yellows.
Blue & Purple Flowers
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Russian Sage (Perovskia) – Lavender-blue spikes bloom alongside catmint in summer.
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Salvia – Violet blooms of salvia complement catmint’s purple shades.
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Veronica – Speedwell offers blue, purple, or pink flower spikes.
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Lavender – Combine with catmint for a purple theme.
Silver Foliage
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Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) – Soft, silvery foliage provides nice contrast to catmint.
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Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) – Silver-gray leaves pair well with catmint’s green tones.
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Artemisia – Foliage plants like ‘Silver Mound’ and ‘Powis Castle’ accent catmint nicely.
Ornamental Grasses
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Feather Reed Grass – upright, pinkish plumes.
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Karl Foerster Grass – slim, vertical shape and golden fall color.
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Blue Fescue Grass – mounded blue foliage with tall flowering stems.
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Little Bluestem – slender bluish-green leaves turn red in fall.
Best Practices for Planting
Group at least 3 plants together for best visual impact. Plant catmint 12-18 inches apart in spring or fall. Amend soil with compost if needed to ensure good drainage. Allow catmint to spread into grasses and other plants. Cut back after flowering to encourage reblooming. Reduce watering after the first year. Enjoy this low-maintenance, pollinator-friendly duo!
With its long flowering period, attractive foliage, and ease of care, catmint Walker’s Low partners beautifully with many other plants. Combining it with pink, white, yellow, blue, and silver-leafed plants creates lovely contrast. And complementary grasses provide excellent vertical contrast. Experiment with these companion plants to design stunning borders and beds that thrive in your garden.
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