Nepeta stewartiana

Nepeta stewartiana

€6,00
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Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
  • Nepeta stewartiana
Nepeta stewartiana

Nepeta stewartiana

€6,00
Organic
Sustainable
Locally grown

🪴Standard: 9x9 cm pot

🚂  Ships across EU

🌱 Grown without pesticides or UV lamps
Flower Color: Purple

Sunlight: Full sun

Growth Habit: Compact

Origine: Pakistan, Kashmir, north-western India, and Tibet

Nepeta × stewartiana, commonly known as Stewart’s catmint, is a compact and aromatic perennial in the Lamiaceae family.

Nepeta stewartiana is a rare perennial catnip that forms tall stems over soft silvery grey foliage, covered in early summer with small, delicately dark purple/blue flowers with unusual speckled throats.

Its compact habit, aromatic leaves, and resilience make it a low-maintenance favorite for gardeners seeking a plant that thrives in full sun and tolerates periods of drought.

The flowers are similar to those of Nepeta clarkei - they are bicolored and prominent lipped, though they are a darker purple/blue and the white inside is speckled!

The leaves are similar to the rest of the Nepeta family - crinkled, grey-green leaves, aromatic when crushed.

The stems are square in section and hairy near the base.

This has given the whole genus the nickname "catnip," though the one with greater powers is the sister Nepeta cataria.

Discover more about gardening with Nepeta:
Gardening Tips

🌿 Himalayan Catmint, like other Nepeta species, is perfect for a low-maintenance garden that embraces nature.
❄️ Very hardy, this species enjoys sunlight but dislikes overly dry soils, making it a true mountain dweller.
✂️ Continuous blooming is encouraged by removing spent flowers.
🌱 Make sure your soil is well draining, because while catnip can handle drought and frost - it cannot handle soggy roots!
The Botany

Floral Morphology

The flowers of Stewart’s catmint appear in dense spikes at the tips of the stems.

Each small, tubular flower is lavender-blue and bilaterally symmetrical, characteristic of the mint family, with a two-lipped corolla that provides a convenient landing platform for pollinators.

The four stamens are enclosed within the corolla tube, and the forked style receives pollen delivered primarily by bees, butterflies, and hoverflies.

Leaves are opposite, ovate to lanceolate, and covered in fine hairs that reduce water loss while giving the plant its soft, silvery appearance.

When brushed or crushed, the foliage emits a gentle, aromatic scent that adds sensory interest to the garden.

Reproductive Biology

Flowers are hermaphroditic, with self-pollination possible but cross-pollination by bees, butterflies, and hoverflies preferred.

Fruits are small, nutlet-like seeds, allowing for slow self-seeding under ideal conditions.

Blooming occurs from late spring through mid-summer, with repeat flowering possible if deadheaded.

Ecology & Adaptations

Nepeta × stewartiana thrives in temperate and Mediterranean-style gardens, particularly in:

  • Borders and rockeries: Adds soft color and texture while filling gaps with low, compact foliage.
  • Pollinator gardens: Flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
  • Sun-exposed sites: Full sun encourages prolific flowering and compact growth.
The Myth

This cultivar is new to cultivation which makes it a rare find.

We have purchased our seeds from Plant World Seeds where they were collected on the recent Alpine Garden Society China Expedition.

Why is it called catnip? The nepetalactone contained in some species of the genus Nepeta binds to the olfactory receptors of cats, usually causing temporary euphoria that makes them roll and shudder with pure joy.

The genus name Nepeta originates from the Italian town of Nepete, where the plant was historically cultivated for medicinal purposes, particularly as a mild sedative.

Legend has it that Nepeta was once used to calm restless cats, which is why many varieties are affectionately called “catmint.”

The specific epithet stewartiana honors the British breeder who selected this hybrid for its prolific flowers, compact form, and fragrant, silvery foliage.

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