Common Catmint (Nepeta Cataria) - Grow this member of the mint family from Nepeta seeds. This popular plant forms fragrant foliage with spikes of white flowers reaching 24 inches high. The plant is very easy to grow from flower seed, and if the seeds are sown early in the season, it will bloom the first year. It is a perennial that blooms like an annual. The foliage is vigorous and spreads to a width of 12 - 18 inches and is resistant to drought. Catmint plants work well as a general ground cover, accent plant, pathway edger, rock garden specimen, or in the herb garden. Also known as: catnip, catswort, catwort, or catmint. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in dry soils and is very tolerant of drought.

Growing common catmint from seed is not difficult. After the danger of frost has passed, in a prepared seedbed that is in full sun to partial shade, sow the Nepeta seeds directly outdoors, preferably in soil that drains well. Press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them, and keep the flower seeds moist until germination. Thin the seedlings to 18 - 20 inches apart and pinch off the growing tips to promote a bushy growth habit. Care of common catmint plants includes trimming the plants back after blooming to encourage a second bloom. The plants are aggressive and don't need much care, but an application of fertilizer 1 - 2 times during the growing season is beneficial. Give Nepeta plants lots of space as they will spread. Many gardeners will border them with an edging. Well-established plants can be divided in the spring.