Plants That Look Like Catnip: Identification Tips and Growing Advice

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family that smells like lemon mint. Unique to catnip is that it makes cats feel good when they sniff it, roll in it, or eat it. Catnip has an essential oil in it called nepetalactone that makes cats’ sensory neurons work when they breathe it in or eat it. This gives cats a short-term “high” that makes them hyperactive for a few minutes and then calms them down.

While domestic and wild cats cannot resist catnip, the plant also has other appealing qualities for people. Catnip is drought-tolerant, deer resistant, and attracts pollinators. It has been used as a remedy for various conditions, and for culinary purposes. However, the spreading nature of catnip may be undesirable in cultivated gardens.

There are, luckily, a lot of other plants that look, grow, use, and care requirements that are similar to catnip that won’t wreck your garden. Here are some of the best plants that can be grown as catnip substitutes.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• Like catnip, lemon balm is an aromatic perennial in the mint family. It has a lemony scent and oval, serrated leaves.

• The base of the leaves is more heart-shaped than catnip leaves. Lemon balm also has a more open, branching form.

• The leaves and stems of lemon balm have bigger hairs that can be seen. Catnip is finely hairy but the hairs are not obvious.

• Lemon balm flowers and sets seed less readily than catnip. The small white flowers are in clusters along the stem rather than dense spikes.

• Cats are not attracted to lemon balm. It has culinary uses for tea and seasoning foods. The leaves also have medicinal benefits.

Catmints (Nepeta species)

• There are many ornamental catmint varieties that resemble catnip’s foliage and growth habit, including Nepeta x faassenii and Nepeta racemosa.

• Catmints have a subtler fragrance than catnip, being less minty and more aromatic. The flowers are typically purple to blue.

• Catmints are less aggressive spreaders and seeders than catnip. Cultivars like ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Six Hills Giant’ make good garden perennials.

• Most catmints do not contain nepetalactone and do not induce a reaction in cats. However, some may still mildly attract cats.

Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

• Russian sage is a woody-based perennial with grey-green leaves similar in shape to catnip leaves.

• The bushy, upright plant grows 3-5 feet tall on rigid square stems. Airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers bloom in summer.

• The silvery foliage is aromatic like catnip when crushed. It prefers full sun and dry conditions when established.

• Russian sage does not interact with cats. It serves as a beautiful flowering landscape plant that attracts butterflies.

Lavenders (Lavandula species)

• Lavenders like Lavandula angustifolia have fragrant foliage like catnip with a comparable gray-green color.

• The leaves are longer and thinner than catnip leaves. Plants form low mounds that produce abundant purple flower spikes.

• Lavenders are very drought tolerant once established and thrive in full sun and well-drained sites.

• Cats generally do not respond to lavender plants. Lavender is grown commercially for culinary use and essential oils.

Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina)

• Lamb’s ear has soft, velvety leaves that are much larger than catnip but similar in shape and color.

• Plants form low, spreading clumps with sparse purple flowers on spikes rising above the foliage.

• Lamb’s ear thrives in full sun or part shade with average to dry soil. The fuzzy leaves are deer and rabbit resistant.

• Cats ignore this plant. It serves as an attractive groundcover and accent plant.

Cat thyme (Teucrium marum)

• Cat thyme has small, aromatic leaves that form a low, spreading mat like catnip. The foliage is gray-green with a pungent, spicy fragrance.

• Tiny tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple or white bloom above the foliage in summer. Plants grow 4-6 inches tall.

• Cat thyme needs well-drained soil and full sun. It tolerates heat and drought. The dense growth habit makes it useful as a groundcover.

• It does not induce a reaction in cats, despite the name. Cat thyme has traditionally been used in medicinal teas.

Growing Tips

• Most catnip lookalikes grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. Amend soil with compost at planting to get them established.

• Allow 12-24 inches between young plants depending on their predicted mature size. Water new plantings regularly until they become established.

• Pinch back leggy growth in late spring to encourage bushiness. Cut back spent flower spikes after the first flush of blooms.

• Mulch around plants to help retain moisture and reduce weeds. Avoid fertilizing, which can cause excessive growth and floppiness.

• Propagate by division in spring or fall by digging up plants and separating rooted shoots. Take 3-6 inch stem cuttings in summer.

• Most plants are hardy to zone 4 or lower. Apply winter mulch after the ground freezes for protection in cold climates.

While no plant perfectly mimics catnip, the aromatic foliage and growth habit of these lookalikes can make satisfying substitutes in your garden. Enjoy their flowers, scents and textures without the chaos induced in felines by true catnip. With proper siting and care, these plants will thrive for you and reward you with years of easy-care beauty.