Catnip vs Catmint: What's the Difference?
Sharni MartensShare
If you've ever wondered whether catnip and catmint are the same plant, you're not alone.
The good news is they're closely related—but they each have their own unique characteristics.
Both belong to the Nepeta family, are easy to grow and are loved by many cats. However, they differ in appearance, fragrance and the way cats typically respond to them.
Let's take a closer look.
🌿 What Is Catnip?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is the best-known member of the mint family.
Its leaves contain a natural compound called nepetalactone, which can trigger playful behaviours in many cats.
Depending on the cat, they may:
- Roll around
- Rub their face on the plant
- Purr
- Become playful and energetic
- Simply relax nearby
Interestingly, around 30–50% of cats don't respond to catnip at all. The response is inherited genetically.
💜 What Is Catmint?
Catmint refers to several ornamental Nepeta species, including Nepeta × faassenii.
While it contains lower levels of nepetalactone than catnip, many cats still enjoy sniffing and rubbing against it.
The biggest difference is that catmint is also a beautiful garden plant.
It produces attractive purple-blue flowers over many months and is loved by bees and other pollinators.
🌱 Which Plant Is Better?
The answer depends on what you're looking for.
Choose Catnip if you want:
✅ Maximum cat excitement
✅ Indoor enrichment
✅ A plant specifically for your cat
Choose Catmint if you want:
✅ A beautiful flowering garden plant
✅ A wildlife-friendly garden
✅ A plant that many cats still enjoy
✅ Long-lasting purple flowers
🐈 Can Cats Eat Both?
Yes.
Both plants are generally considered safe for cats when enjoyed in moderation.
Some cats prefer chewing the leaves, while others simply enjoy rubbing against the plants and breathing in their natural aroma.
🌼 Growing Catnip & Catmint
Both plants are relatively easy to grow.
They enjoy:
- Full sun to part shade
- Well-drained soil
- Regular watering while establishing
- Occasional trimming to encourage bushy growth
Once established, both are hardy, low-maintenance additions to your garden.
🌻 Great for Outdoor Cat Enclosures
If your cat has access to an outdoor enclosure or "catio", catnip and catmint can make wonderful additions.
They provide:
- Natural enrichment
- Interesting scents
- Places to explore
- Safe plants your cat can enjoy
Catmint also adds attractive colour to the enclosure with its masses of purple flowers.
Which One Do We Grow?
At Potting Mad, we grow both:
🌿 Premium Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – well-established plants in 20 cm pots, perfect for cats that love the classic catnip experience.
💜 Premium Catmint (Nepeta × faassenii) – a beautiful flowering variety that attracts pollinators while providing gentle enrichment for many cats.
Both are grown with care in Queensland and are supplied as healthy, established plants—not tiny seedlings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is catmint the same as catnip?
No. They are closely related members of the Nepeta family but are different species with different characteristics.
Do all cats react to catnip?
No. Around 30–50% of cats don't respond to catnip due to genetics.
Does catmint make cats "crazy"?
Usually not to the same extent as catnip. Catmint contains lower levels of nepetalactone, so the response is often milder.
Which is easier to grow?
Both are hardy and easy to grow in Australian gardens with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil.
Final Thoughts
Catnip and catmint are both fantastic additions to a cat-friendly garden.
If your goal is maximum feline fun, catnip is hard to beat. If you're looking for a plant that's as beautiful as it is useful, catmint is an excellent choice.
Many gardeners choose to grow both, giving their cats the best of both worlds while creating a colourful, wildlife-friendly space.
🌿 Explore Our Cat-Friendly Plants
Whether you're looking for premium catnip or beautiful flowering catmint, you'll find healthy, well-established plants grown with care right here in Queensland.
