Catmint Vs Catnip and How to Tell the Difference

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NOTE: This information is meant for educational purposes only .I am NOT a doctor nor pretend to be one. Nothing I say should be used to replace professional medical counseling. Also, PLEASE do your OWN research!

[@teperikaetr]

Years ago I bought the Catnip. It grows big and has bigger leaves, kind of like the stinging nettles. But 2 years ago. In the same nursery I found Catmint. (It was named Catsmeaw) I liked it because it was more bushi with lots of small leaves and beautifull purple flowers. I recently bought another plant called nepetilla. The label says that the plant has medicinal uses and and is a spice used in Italy. It looks kind of the same as the catmint but the flowers are more separate and smaller, the leaves smells wonderfull. In the same nursery, a few years ago I bought a plant called. Wolf mint. It has a strong wonderfull smell. I grow it a few years but it died on me. I went to the nursery to get another one but they didn'have it. Thank you for all your videos. Very informative and I love to watch them. Many Blessing.

[@tinastinyliving686]

I have both, and ordered my catmint, and it came bare root. My Barney cat keeps his catnip very pruned for me, it's his plant in the garden, and he leaves everything else alone.

[@jdbfortney]

I grow both. My cat loves BOTH!! My indoor/outdoor cat could care less. My indoor only cat is a cold hard stoner!! He will look up at the cabinet & scream! Lol

[@sujo0603]

Thank you for this video. The ‘nip is what grows wild around here and I love it. My great grandmothers would use this as a tea when women were going into labor. (That’s not medical advice, it’s just what happened) Some of them were midwives waaaay back when. I have used it myself mixed in with herbal tea and I like the flavor. I believe it does help “move things along”. I have found that my cat isn’t really interested in it until it’s drying. Neighborhood cats might be another issue, but I really haven’t had any trouble with it while it’s growing. It’s one of my favorite herbs, partly because of the flavor, but also because for me, I see it as a link to grandmothers that I never knew.

[@witchofthewildwoods3496]

I was a home birth midwife for many years and used catnip in my practice for labor too :)

[@TheTinkerersWife]

I live in an urban area and had to find ways to protect the plants after a neighborhood cat stole one I'd had growing in my garden for two seasons. That cat dug it up roots and all stealing the entire plant! It wasn't a human thief which I first thought until I saw definite cat claw marks in the dry ground around the edge of the empty hole. That was a determined cat! I went through years of trial and error and decided that I needed to either plant my catnip in hanging baskets, cover it with a cage or plant it in a tall planter well above their head to keep the fragrance out of nose range. That tall planter worked really well. 3 years and no cats yet. ....... A nursery near me keeps catnip on display in a cage for demonstration purposes and a good laugh. It's strong enough the cats can get on top of it and allows the cats to have some while not destroying the plant. It's a grid of 3" so they can grab a stem to pull it to them if there's nothing poking out they can reach.

[@markishabunn4492]

I bought a catnip plant from my local market and it has white flowers. The first one I put on my porch and the stray cats ate it down to the stalk then were quiet for 2 days 😂

[@RainCountryHomestead]

😂

[@dmariewalker6880]

Thank you for this information. My cat nip has white flowers so I guess I have the original one and I made a cup of catnip tea and believe me it was so calming. It was sweet. I didn’t add any artificial sugar or any honey or anything to it just some leaves and boiled water in a cup and let it sleep for about five minutes

[@deneeschenck5180]

I love making catnip and blueberry kombucha. Thank you for teaching me Heidi!

[@nightowl2481]

That sounds so good!

[@witchofthewildwoods3496]

Wow I appreciate that! I just picked a few gallons of blueberries and am brewing tea for kombucha so will definitely try this!

[@WendyK656]

💗LOL oh boy Heidi, I have the catmint as well! not the nip. I love the taste of the catmint as a tea. Heidi, I always love your videos! you always have wonderful ideas, and you correct if needs to be. Thank you.

[@paigerichards3749]

Everyone i talked to about growing catnip said theirs or their neighbors cats tore it up ha ha! So i put mine in a hanging basket. It is growing great! Second time dehydrating some of it, also hoping to get some seeds from it. Once a week i take one of the big leaves and split it in half for my cats..they play with it then eat it.

[@negrammy3743]

The nip grows wild on our place. I always allow some of it to grow by my garden. My cats love it! I have never used it. I just thought it was fun for the cats. I will have to try some tea at bedtime. I did not know it has pain relieving properties. I had a knee replacement a month ago and I woke from the surgery with sciatica. Thankfully I had comfrey in my garden and was able to make a salve that has helped a lot. But I'm still having some discomfort at night. I have been watching your videos but I need to start a notebook with what I'm learning. Thank you!

[@TheTinkerersWife]

Thank you for clearing up the confusion between the two. It's good to know the cat mints is useful too. The image of those Catnip flowers is great as they are a huge identifier for people to remember. I used catnip in a tea to help with menstrual cramps which helped wonderfully.

[@AC-sn5io]

If you snip a sprig of catnip, and place it in water in 10 days or so you will get roots, to have extra catnip.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

You can also just dig up a sprig that has even a small amount of root and plant it in a new spot. This is how I always make new plants from any type of mint

[@maryschrier651]

I used the catnip in a bedtime tea. I also used spearmint and peppermint and a little chamomile in the tea. I calms and helps children and others to to fall asleep easier. I give bags of catnip to my daughter-in-law for insomnia. She says it helps her to relax enough to drift off to sleep. She also shares it with her cat :)

[@dalegaa4094]

I use chamomile, spearmint and lavender in a nighttime tea but will now try it with catnip. Thanks.

[@rhondawelker6742]

Thank you for also showing the pictures of the plants side by side. The leaves of the plants are quite different when you take the time to look at them. I’m so intrigued by what you’ve shared with us today. Thanks again❣️😃

[@Momma_Tomma]

Very well presented. I never could find the difference either. Now I know! Cat NIP grows wild around here in many areas. I have grown it myself for my cats and it's medicinal properties. It does indeed get tall, if you let it. I had some last year that were almost 4 foot tall by the time they flowered.

[@markkristynichols845]

Ok cool, so I am actually growing catnip!!! The leaf pic defined it! Thanks Heidi, ❤️ y’all, Kristy in Missouri zone 6b 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@longarmsupplies]

Thank you for this video. I have catnip all over, whoops. My Mom had heart attacks after her vaccines last year and I was busy planting one day and got a call. I had catnip seed in my hand...panic came with the call, and I just tossed out the seed in a wide spread toss and ran to take care of her with her second or third(of four) heart attack...she's 96 and still alive just so no one worries. I was wondering if what was growing in some spots was catnip because I knew I'd planted catmint here as a plant. Now I know the tall stuff that the bees are all over is catnip! Too late to harvest it this year as it's starting to dry up. Next year...I'll have loads of it to use. LOL, my dog keeps the cats away from the house so the cat's don't get to enjoy it.

[@darra-lynnrichards9239]

Thank you! Now I finally know what I’ve got

[@megmcginnis239]

Thanks for clearing up the confusion. I think I have the nip variety. I planted it around my rose garden. I had noticed in some of the older English rose garden books pictures of it with roses. I found out that was the natural way to detour pests and diseases on roses that the old English gardeners used.... before spray was used. I don't spray, but use the catnip.... not 100% effective, but definitely helps. This was all before I became interested in herbs medicinally... just using them culinary. I was very excited to find out through your videos its benefits 😊. Thank you and God bless.

[@rexnemo]

This is fascinating as I grow roses but don't spray them with anything as I don't like poisons in the garden , so I will try this with my roses . Thank you so much for this comment as it gives me an idea to use the cat mint for this .

[@teresaV]

I can remember making Catnip tea at the age of 10. It relaxes you and will help you sleep. The last good sized bush I had of it got completely mauled by neighborhood cats. I'll have more in our new place.

[@whaley2365]

God is good. Thanks for the information on the differences between Catnip and Catmint.

[@debbiefockler9890]

Thank you for the clarification. I have catnip in my herb bed that was planted by some wildlife. I saw it in the woods around our property, but wasn’t sure which one it was. I have dried it and made a pain and inflammation remedy from your channel. Now I know for sure which one it is. God bless.

[@gangms16]

Thanks a lot for this useful information. Saved me a lot of time. I wanted to grow catnip for my cats but was confused between the two.

[@fruitsofmylabors7879]

Very cool research you’ve done. I planted some this year labeled catnip but now I know it’s catmint

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Just another reason there is so much confusion since places are selling starts and seeds that are catmint and labeling it as catnip

[@sandradewys1936]

Thanks for this great information of the catnip/ catmint . We have wild catnip that I plant to harvest more of in 2024 . I find it help me sleep better . I’m using it in many of my tea blends . Sometimes just a bit during the day if I’ve having anxiety/ pain issues . ❤❤

[@lindaprimm667]

I'm interested in different tea blends with this herb. It's really helping me sleep.

[@debrajones5305]

Thank you so much for this video! I have grown catMINT for years but now exploring medicinal herbs wondered if I needed catNIP. Now I have my answer!

[@marycombs6517]

When my babies had colic l would make a tea using catnip . It soothed them and made them calmer.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Did they inhale the steam/aroma or did you have them drink it? This is interesting!

[@marycombs6517]

I put it in a bottle and they drink it.

[@jeil5676]

I find wild catnip near water in sunny places up hear where I live. Its super pungent when its flowering and you often smell it before you notice it. Its skunky like marijuana and minty and buttery. Fabulous. Ants seem to be attracted to it maybe do to nectar rather than aphids, IDK.The wild stuff, when ripe, seems way way way more potent than anything I've given my cat from the pet store.

[@Renewed85]

God is good all the time!

[@karenrussell7641]

Thank you, Heidi, I have been dealing with this very same confusion. Finally, a definitive answer!

[@MommyMartinez9]

I had wild catnip growing in my yard this yard 😅 I knew from the white flowers and I bought cat mint to plant in a different area of yard.

[@lynettetucker544]

Thanks again Heidi for sharing this information on cat mint and cat nip good to know the medicinal benefits I do have some catnip seeds I will have to start them next summer 💚

[@blessedbloominghomestead9134]

Thanks Heidi, very interesting. I loved the white blossoms on the one plant because it reminded me of orchids. This is another herb I’d like to add to my garden. Many Blessings!

[@uncle_spanky]

Absolutely great video. Best information I've found. I'm going to mix catmint with lavender for medicinal teas and tinctures.

[@loomis19]

Thanks for sharing the differences in the nip & mint, as well as the benefits! 😎

[@knightyryder3]

Grew catmint for the first time this year. Have a neighbourhood cat that wasn’t interested at all. Perhaps it’s hit and miss. The pollinators absolutely love the catmint so I’ll be adding many more plants next year. Also chamomile. One plant gives thousands of seeds if you let it. Great for anyone having pollination issues. Brings to the bees.

[@pnwgardenergal1325]

My Catnip is blooming white. I also have the light purple Catmint plant.

[@prairielivingtwins]

When i watched your first video i couldn't figure out why your plant had purple flowers and mine had white. I almost thought I had the wrong plant. Then found this video.

[@judydavenport4796]

Thank you sooo much for helping us learn!!! God Bless!!❤

[@rhondawelker6742]

Thank you, Heidi! Now knowing the difference, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Catnip in bloom at a nursery. I’ve only seen the lavender blooms of Catmint. Valuable info. 😃

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Out of curiosity, how was it labeled? Or did you notice?

[@rhondawelker6742]

@@RainCountryHomestead I’ve seen both labels, but not being in bloom I went off the label not wanting to attract cats I didn’t want the nip. I had read or heard somewhere that the mint didn’t seem to attract the cats. Never took the time to check it out.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

@@rhondawelker6742 I have read that too and I have never noticed neighbor cats in mine but I have also read that cats love the mint as well and as the photos show, some really do! haha

[@rhondawelker6742]

@@RainCountryHomestead yes, 😆

[@witchofthewildwoods3496]

I had to run out to the back garden to check if I had catnip vs catmint and alas, all the blossoms were dry and I couldn't tell what color they were! I THINK I planted catnip seed from Baker Creek a few years ago but now I literally can't remember. Anyway, the cats love it and it makes a relaxing tea so I guess it's a win ;)

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I would think Baker Creek would sell appropriate seed and am pretty sure you would remember if they were purple and not white or very light pink

[@witchofthewildwoods3496]

@@RainCountryHomestead I labeled the jar of dried herb as ‘catnip’ so am pretty confident that’s what it is. I believe the flowers were white (definitely not pink) and I recall now that the seed came from Botanical Interests. I have both pennyroyal and spearmint growing in the same yard and their flowers are purple.

[@sandivernay6569]

How cool! I had catnip. I didn't realize there was the mint. PS my feral barn kitties had no attraction to it. My friends domestic cat loved it. Lol

[@iartistdotme]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! My questions have been answered.

[@sandraspool3679]

Thank you for your information and God bless you both. 🙏

[@happygranolamama5729]

Oh Heidi, I’m so glad you made this video. I’ve been looking at my Catnip thinking mine doesn’t have those pretty blue flowers like Heidi’s.. I was thinking must be all the rain they get 😂. You are right it is not easy to find videos on the difference between Catnip and Catmint. I now know for sure I have Catnip. Thanks again Heidi.😊

[@chrismaryb.7409]

Thank you Heidi 😊

[@fullcontactgardening6191]

I have been growing catmint for years. A great use that I discovered - rub it on your skin, especially your ankles, and it will keep biting flies at bay, plus make you smell good. The cats may attack you when you go back in. I bring them in sprigs and they lose their minds even more than when I bring them catnip. My outside cat doesn't care about either of them.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yep! I talk about that in the video I did last year on its benefits, I also linked to it in the description box

[@michellehartmann3879]

Thanks much for the education. Was a current situation for me.

[@gtiernan1]

Thanks for the tip! I have catnip growing like weeds around my flower garden, along with anise hyssop. I did not know of the medicinal properties of the catnip and now I do thanks to your video. I am going to start making a tea out of it since I've got so much of it. My cats (and dog) do love it, too!

[@colettemitchell3412]

Great information. Thank you.

[@karenfourie2449]

Thank you. 💗

[@ColRubyDimplesManacha]

More great, solid, and thorough info that I needed to know! Thank you for everything you do, Heidi!

[@ColRubyDimplesManacha]

PS- Any idea what (if any) effect it has on chickens?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

It can be one of those added to their nesting boxes and bedding to prevent mites, lice and more

[@ColRubyDimplesManacha]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you!

[@barbarafritchie2000]

Thanks Heidi.

[@markkristynichols845]

I haven’t tried using it yet but I am drying it this year to have to try! ❤️ Kristy again 🤣😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@JB-pd4ni]

Thanks, very helpful info, good video!

[@barbaradiane9125]

Thank you so very much!!!

[@mollysurgalski1518]

I have had wonderful results with catnip and catmint as a sleep aid tea, in combination with lemon balm and Passion flower leaves. Thank you always for your thoughtful and informative videos 💗

[@elsebethvonannedors8825]

I’ve been wondering if there was a difference. Thank you for this very informative video

[@potpourrioflife]

Thank you for the clarity. I need to get some for anxiety. Some days 😜

[@maryschrier651]

Catnip grows wild all over the place around here in south eastern PA. I bought catmint this year and my cat turned up his nose. He prefers the wild catnip.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yep, most cats will prefer the catnip but those more sensitive to the compound will like both and some will like neither.

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Heidi.🙂 I've been told that in the early spring, it smells very much like another 'weed' my ex used to call stink bud.😄 I don't know why that came to mind, but it was a tickle all the same.☺️ Love and blessings! 💜

[@paigerichards3749]

Its August and it still smells like farts lol 😂

[@reibersue4845]

My kids tell me it smells like "weed". I think it has a minty skunks smell.

[@ediemurray1692]

Ty

[@angelinaballerina4132]

Here in the Pacific Northwest, catnip grows as an annual for us while our cat mint is a hardy perennial. I have never used either for medicinal purposes but will try it this year.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, I am in the Pacific Northwest as well (the wettest part). I have not tried growing catnip yet but my neighbor has. I am not sure if theirs came back or not but I am sure variety matters as well

[@dalegaa4094]

I've grown both mints for years. My cat was crazy about the catnip but had no interest at all in the cat mint.

[@carolynmoody9460]

Blessings ❤️

[@froggygreen2876]

God is good! ...

[@AmyFrust]

Thank you for sharing because I noticed that same difference and was wondering what was the difference. Than I noticed most people mistake one for the other…😮

[@darlenesgardenandhome]

I wondered over mine too and have concluded it's NIP not mint. White/ tinge of pink sorta .. not as pretty flower and invasive. My original plant just popped up. I didn't plant it. AND my cat love loves to roll around in the dried product.

[@MrSBGames]

Most seed packets and nurseries call cat mint Nepeta now to save the confusion

[@MichaelR58]

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@idahoplantlady]

I have both of these. My cats nap in the car nip. My nip got at least 3 feet tall.

[@lynn682]

I grow catmint and use it for tea.

[@robertamil]

So I have in garden catmint 🙂, thank you

[@monikas5125]

I love catnip I grow it in my garden it helps me sleep better

[@cindyp.9030]

Thank you for this video, I have always wondered if I was getting the right thing when I ordered this herb online. I haven't succeeded in growing it yet but plan on trying again. Does it grow as wild as other mints do? How well does it grow in a container? I use it in your pain and anti-inflamatory tincture, also in your sleep and muscle one. I plan on adding it to my stress tincture the next time I make that.

[@brightstarr57]

I just grow catnip for the cats...thanks for the info! 👍👍👍👍

[@The-Vintage-Needlecrafter]

We don't have any growing on our property, but I sure would like some.

[@froggygreen2876]

I planted cat mint in a pot to prevent it spreading wild!

[@RainCountryHomestead]

My catmint does not spread much, it tends to keep to itself, unlike the mojito mint that wants to go everywhere

[@mdlanor5414]

There is a lot of difference between Nepeta Cataria and Nepeta Racemose. When it comes to a domestic cats reaction. Nepeta Cataria most cats love. Nepeta Racemose most cats don’t like. Nepeta Racemose is what I consider Cat Mint because of its minty smell. Nepeta Cataria is what I consider true Catnip. This variety of Nepeta,when dried has little smell. I grow Nepeta Cataria for my cats. I dry only the leaves,no stems. It is easy to start from seeds. A mature Nepeta Cataria plant will produce tens of thousands of seeds. That I harvest and give away to anyone that wants them.

[@kleineroteHex]

Thanks, I have the nip per the leaves though the flowers are not pure white. Back to my elderberries....

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I think the flowers can have a pink tone to them as well, if I remember correctly. My berries have a ways to go but I have been meaning to harvest some flowers and keep forgetting! ARGH!

[@kleineroteHex]

@@RainCountryHomestead oh my berries are done, this is the last I have to protect in organza bags the birds harvested as soon as there was a ripe one, so funny how they know. When they start on the top ones it is getting time to "protect my harvest" in the lower regions😁 I did manage to make a blossom syrup. Yup on the more pink hue.

[@Boone22]

I'm growing catnip..purchased at a nursery, mine has white flowers

[@maria_w311]

Hi Heidi 👋

[@dmariewalker6880]

I have the catnip with white flowers like to find one with the purple flowers or they are so pretty

[@antoninakubilis3198]

I have two Chihuahuas and both are eating poop so I’m wondering if I can give them some catnip which I have growing and how would I give it to them? I have some dried for tea for myself and some still growing. I just discovered it growing in my garden. Thank you!!

[@themoonisalwaysfull6480]

It multiplies like maggots ! I have both white and purple … and they went to end of street next to my garage 🤣🤣🤣👀

[@bobmarley965]

Beloved i think i have capnip in my garden it doesnt have floweres as yet. i knew it was a mint but couldnt figure out what it is

[@his-sweetie]

😊

[@cyndyfalkenhagen8205]

Does the Catnip have a square stem like the mint family?

[@cyndigreene8857]

Heidi, I’ve never heard of using the catmint for dogs ! How do you give it and what is the dosage, please?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I did link to that recipe video in the description box as promised, please make sure to go check it out to learn more. Access the description box by clicking on the word "...more" you will see somewhere below the video screen

[@lindachandler2293]

Going by the pictures, mine is definitely catnip.

[@dw6090]

By your pic cat mint has rounded leaves on the endorsement leaves.

[@fousies]

I never see flowers on my catnip. I do think catmint is prettier

[@joannadams7549]

Since catmint isn’t as potent as catnip, how many fresh leaves do you recommend for a cup of tea, for calming or sleep?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I am sorry but I never count out leaves, I simply grab a bunch and make a pot of tea. I do not even weigh it

[@sandraseals6903]

Can you use the flowers in tea and tinctures?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yep, I do it all the time

[@TaLeng2023]

Which could knock me down faster, catnip or lemon balm?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

If you mean for use as a sedative, I cannot tell you that. Not all herbs work the same for each person. You would only know by trying and comparing

[@allysonfromatl]

I had a catnip plant on the front porch in a pot but my cat rolled and slept on it so much that it died.

[@Boone22]

HEIDI, DO YOU USE LEAVES & FLOWERS FOR TEA?

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Yes, leaves, flowers, stems

[@Boone22]

@@RainCountryHomestead thank you very much for replying back.

[@bettinacampbell871]

How do I get to your online store

[@RainCountryHomestead]

Link is in the description box right at the top

[@marthaadams4393]

In my experience (limited), cats become crazy with it. It is like an hallucinogenic to them. Actually, the vet said to keep it away from him. Others, have no interest at all. As a psychologist, I wonder what it is doing to give that calm to humans???

[@RokiMowntinHi]

Your vet actually said to keep it away from your cat????? That's super weird. It is not harmful to them.

[@dlbriley]

I am still confused. Does catnip or cat mint have purple flowers? I guess because I am also trying to learn about wild edibles also. Maybe this in my head. When my cat eat leaf of catmint/nip, no fleas on them.

[@deneeschenck5180]

Catnip has white flowers.

[@RainCountryHomestead]

I thought I was pretty clear that the catmint is the one with purple flowers, that is what I grow

[@dlbriley]

@@RainCountryHomestead Thank you.