Quick answer: The best time to prune Nepeta (Catmint) is in late spring or early summer, right after its first flush of flowers fades. Regular pruning keeps your catmint bushy, healthy, and encourages more blooms throughout the season.
Nepeta, more commonly known as catmint, is a delight in any garden. With its softly mounded form, fragrant foliage and long-lasting lavender-blue blooms (it’s actually a great alternative to lavender in a border display, which can sometimes be more fussy with the correct soil and more maintenance), it’s a plant that gives generously, provided you give it a little attention in return. Pruning isn’t just a chore; it’s the secret to unlocking your catmint’s full potential.
Regular pruning helps to:
Encourage repeat flowering. Catmint blooms prolifically, but cutting it back after flowering signals the plant to send out new shoots and buds.
Prevent legginess. Without a trim, Nepeta can sprawl or become straggly, losing that neat, cushion-like shape that makes it so attractive.
Improve airflow and reduce disease. Dense growth can trap moisture, leading to fungal issues. Pruning thins out stems and allows better circulation.
Keep your borders tidy. A well-pruned Nepeta stays compact, forming neat mounds that complement surrounding perennials.
Rejuvenate older plants. Cutting back stimulates fresh, vigorous growth, keeping mature plants productive and healthy.
These reasons make it clear that pruning your nepeta is more than just a little gardening activity; it is an essential part of keeping the plants as healthy as possible.
Timing is everything when it comes to gardening, and the same can be said for pruning Nepeta. Cut it too early, and you may lose spring flowers; too late, and the plant might not have time to regrow before frost.
Generally, Nepeta benefits from two key pruning sessions each year. Once after the first flush of blooms, and again in late autumn or early spring to tidy up before new growth begins.
Below is an easy-to-follow, seasonal pruning guide for Nepeta, ensuring you keep purpose and action in mind at every stage.
|
Season |
Pruning focus |
What to do |
|
Spring (March-April) |
Refresh and rejuvenate |
Cut back last year’s dead growth to about 5cm above the base before new shoots emerge. |
|
Summer (June-July) |
Encourage rebloom |
After the first flowering, shear off spent blooms and shape the plant to trigger another round of blossoms. |
|
Autumn (September-October) |
Light tidy |
Remove any damaged or diseased stems, but leave most of the foliage as winter protection. |
|
Winter (November-February) |
Minimal intervention |
Let the plant rest. Avoid cutting into living tissue until spring. |
Before you begin, gather the right tools. Clean, sharp equipment makes pruning quicker, safer and far less stressful for the plant (and indeed the gardener).
Hand pruners. Perfect for cutting back small stems and removing spent flower heads.
Bypass pruners. Ideal for clean cuts on live stems without crushing the tissue.
Pruning Shears. Useful for light shaping and deadheading.
Hedge Shears. Great for giving established clumps a quick all-over trim after flowering.
Loppers. Handy if your Nepeta has become woody or overgrown, allowing you to reach deeper into the base.
Pruning saw. Rarely needed for catmint, but useful if you’re dividing or rejuvenating an old plant.
Good gloves. These will protect your hands while also improving your grip on your tools.
Pruning nepeta doesn’t require horticultural wizardry. It just takes a considerate approach to timing, consistency and confidence. Here’s how to do it properly.
At the start of spring, when you notice fresh green shoots pushing through the soil, it’s time to say goodbye to last year’s dried stems.
Use your pruners to cut back all old growth to around 5-8cm above the ground. Don’t worry if it looks drastic; Nepeta is resilient and will quickly bounce back. Removing the dead wood allows sunlight to reach emerging shoots and encourages dense, even photosynthesis.
As nepeta grows, it naturally forms soft mounds, but occasional shaping helps maintain a satisfying visual symmetry and prevent flopping.
Once your catmint has reached about 20-30cm tall, lightly trim the tips to encourage branching. This early shaping results in a bushier plant that holds its form beautifully in bloom.
After the first flush of flowers fades, usually in midsummer, take your shears or hedge trimmers and cut the entire plant back by one-third to one-half.
This may seem harsh, but don’t worry, it’s actually the secret to continuous flowering. Within weeks, you’ll see fresh growth and a second wave of blossoms that can last well into autumn.
Even with regular care, Nepeta can occasionally develop a few unsightly or weakened stems.
Check for any signs of common plant diseases, such as blackened leaves, mildew or discoloured stems, and cut them out immediately. Removing affected growth improves airflow and prevents infection from spreading.
Once you’ve finished pruning, clear away all cuttings to prevent pests from taking shelter in decaying plant matter. Add a thin layer of organic mulch (like compost, bark chips, or leaf mould) around the base, but not directly on top of the crown.
Pruning is only part of the story when it comes to maintaining healthy Nepeta. How you care for your catmint afterwards determines how quickly it bounces back and how long it will keep blooming.
After a heavy trim, water your Nepeta deeply to help it recover. While catmint is drought-tolerant once established, a good soak after pruning helps encourage new shoots to form.
Nepeta doesn’t need much feeding, but a light dose of a balanced fertiliser in early spring can give it a healthy boost.
A fresh layer of mulch every spring keeps the soil temperature consistent and reduces the need for frequent watering.
Within two to three weeks of pruning, you should notice new shoots emerging. Keep an eye on them. If they start to appear pale or spindly, your catmint may need a little more sun or a touch of fertiliser.
To extend your catmint plants' flowering season, make deadheading a quick weekly habit. Snip off fading blooms before they go to seed, as this encourages the plant to keep producing new flowers.
Even with great pruning habits, there are a few extra techniques that can help your Nepeta thrive all season long. Adding these into your routine can easily elevate the plant from a lovely element to an exceptional focal point.
Catmint might be tolerant of a wide range of environments and regional climates, but it absolutely flourishes when planted in the right place. Aim for a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight daily. While Nepeta can survive partial shade, too little light leads to thin, leggy growth and fewer blooms.
Soil also plays a huge role. Nepeta prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Heavy, waterlogged earth can suffocate its roots, while overly nutrient-rich soil can produce lush, abundant leaves but fewer flowers. If drainage is an issue, amend the soil with grit or sand.
As Nepeta ages, clumps can become dense in the centre, limiting airflow and reducing flowering. Dividing catmint every three to four years keeps it vigorous and encourages the best possible bloom production.
To divide:
Dig up the entire clump in the early months of spring
Use a sharp spade to split the plant into smaller sections
Replant the healthiest, most energetic pieces in suitable spots
Water thoroughly to help roots settle
Division revitalises older catmint plants and also gives you free new ones to expand your borders or displays.
Nepeta is naturally drought-tolerant, making it a highly versatile choice for a wide variety of gardens. However, this also means that extended wet spells can sometimes cause stems to flop or foliage to yellow. A few small adjustments help keep it upright:
Add a light support ring around taller varieties early in the season
Mulch only lightly to avoid excess moisture
Avoid overhead watering, aim for the soil, not the leaves
These steps are all important to keep in mind while trying to maintain the plant’s natural mound shape, even during unpredictable weather.
Nepeta is a stunning, but understated garden addition that shines when paired with plants that complement its soft lavender-blue hues and rounded shape. Consider planting it alongside:
Roses. The classic combination; catmint softens rose stems and fills gaps.
Salvia. Similar tones create a dreamy, harmonious colour palette.
Yarrow. The upright structure contrasts beautifully with the low, billowing catmint.
Verbena.
This plant adds height and airiness without overwhelming the nepeta.
Good companions are essential for making Nepeta look its best, while also attracting more pollinators and enhancing the overall health of your garden. You don’t want your plants to be lonely, and also the more you choose to care for them, the more
If you want your catmint to flower well into autumn, be consistent with your care routine throughout the year. A few advanced strategies include:
Staggered pruning. Cut back different sections of a large clump at different times to extend the flowering season.
Frequent deadheading. Removing small clusters of spent blooms weekly keeps energy focused on new flower spikes.
Light summer feeding. A tiny top-up of compost after midsummer pruning supports new growth without overwhelming the plant.
Even though catmint is famously low maintenance, occasional issues can arise. Here’s how to address them:
Flopping or flattening. Usually caused by overwatering or excessive shade. Move the plant or prune it harder to encourage sturdier regrowth.
Yellowing leaves. Often a sign of poor drainage. Improve soil aeration with grit or report if the plant is container-grown.
Powdery mildew. Rare but possible in humid weather. Improve airflow by thinning stems and watering at the base.
Weak flowering. If blooms are sparse, the plant may need more sun, or old growth might be restricting new buds. A mid-season prune almost always solves this.
By understanding these common concerns, you can keep your Nepeta looking vibrant year-round.
Pruning nepeta (catmint) is simple, satisfying, and the key to unlocking a season-long display of beautiful lavender-blue blooms. With the right timing, clean tools, and a little post-prune care, you’ll enjoy lush, aromatic mounds that attract bees, butterflies, and admiration from anyone who passes by.
If you’re interested in purchasing some Nepeta for your garden, check out our range at One Click Plants. We offer a wide variety of plants, along with countless other options for creating the ultimate garden. For more insights into the world of gardening, check out our Knowledge Hub today!
The best time to prune catmint in spring is as soon as you see new shoots emerging at the base, usually in March or April.
You should prune Nepeta twice a year. Once in early spring and once after the first flush of summer flowers.
Yes, give Nepeta a light tidy-up in autumn to remove spent flowers and any damaged stems.
A small amount of balanced fertiliser or compost after pruning provides nutrients for regrowth.
Pruning for container-grown Nepeta is the same as for garden plants - just be a little gentler and ensure good drainage.
