Try for Free
tab list
PictureThis
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
PictureThis
Search
Search Plants
Try for Free
Global
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
This page looks better in the app
picturethis icon
Instantly identify plants with a snap
Snap a photo for instant plant ID, gaining quick insights on disease prevention, treatment, toxicity, care, uses, and symbolism, etc.
Download the App for Free
Continue Reading
Catnip

How to identify Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip, also known as Catwort

Catnip is characterized by a square stem typical of its family, with a height reaching 2-3 feet (60-90 cm). This herbaceous perennial displays heart-shaped, coarse-toothed leaves and produces clusters of delicate, lavender to white flowers, each encased in a small bract. The blooms are arranged in complex inflorescences that encircle the stem at intervals. The entire plant is covered with a fine down, giving it a soft texture, and emits a notably strong fragrance.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Catnip

1

Square stem, typical of mint family, 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall.

2

Heart-shaped, coarse-toothed leaves, grey-green with visible veins.

3

Clusters of small, two-lipped, tubular flowers in dense whorls.

4

Delicate lavender to white flowers in spike-like racemes, emitting a strong fragrance.

5

Fine down covering entire plant, creating a soft texture.

CatnipCatnipCatnipCatnipCatnip

Detailed Traits of Catnip

Leaf Features

Catnip features aromatic, coarsely-toothed leaves that are triangular to ovate in shape. These leaves, measuring up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length, display a distinct grey-green hue due to their downy texture. The vein pattern is prominently visible, enhancing the overall textured appearance. The downy surface contributes to a soft, almost fuzzy feel, making the grey-green coloration more apparent. These key characteristics aid in the easy identification of catnip.

Leaf Shape

Ovate ,
Cordate

Catnip Leaf Shape image
Leaf Arrangement

Opposite

Catnip Leaf Arrangement image
Learn About the Leaf Glossary
Group
Flower Features

The flowers of catnip are small, two-lipped, and tubular, showcasing a white hue with pale purple spots. They appear in dense whorls on spike-like racemes, measuring about 1-6 inches (2.5-15 cm) long. Blooming from May through September, these flowers create a visually striking display and are easily identified by their characteristic shape and coloration.

Catnip Flower imageCatnip Flower image
Learn About the Flower Glossary
Group
Stem Features

The stem of catnip is characteristically square in cross-section, indicative of its mint family lineage. It is typically green but can display a slight purple hue. The stem is thick, ranging from 0.12 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5 mm) in diameter, and covered with fine hairs, imparting a slightly fuzzy texture. Branching is opposite, with nodes that may appear slightly swollen. This unique square shape and texture make the stem a key feature for identifying catnip.

Catnip Stem imageCatnip Stem image
Learn About the Stem Glossary
Group
Icon code

Scan QR code to download

More Plants You May Like and How to Identify Them
Img topic
Cape jasmine

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub with unique, glossy evergreen leaves and stunning flowers. The sophisticated, matte white flowers are often used in bouquets. The exceptional beauty of this ornamental plant has made it a popular and highly appreciated plant amongst gardeners and horticulturalists.

Img topic
Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Img topic
Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Img topic
Pepper

The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.

Img topic
Swiss cheese plant

The swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) produces bright, glossy leaves and makes a popular houseplant. It is originally native to tropical forest regions in Central America. The nickname swiss cheese plant refers to the small holes that develop in the plant's leaves. The long fruits resemble corncobs and smell sweet and fragrant when ripe.

Img topic
Bigleaf hydrangea

The bigleaf hydrangea is a deciduous shrub native to Japan, and is known for its lush, oval, colorful inflorescence. The two types of Hydrangea macrophylla are mopheads - with large, ball-shaped, sterile flower clusters, and lace capes - with small round fertile flowers in the center, and sterile flowers on the outer side of each inflorescence. Depending on soil pH, blooms can change color from pink to blue.

Identify Catnip easily and quickly
We're also capable of identifying over 12,000 types of plants, flowers, succulents, and trees in your surroundings.
Identify a Plant Online

Key Facts About Catnip

Attributes of Catnip
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
50 cm to 1 m
Spread
50 cm to 1 m
Leaf Color
Green
Gray
Silver
Flower Size
3 mm to 4 mm
Flower Color
White
Purple
Pink
Fruit Color
Red
Green
White
Stem Color
Green
Gray
Silver
White
Purple
Leaf type
Deciduous
Identify plants with a snap
Instantly identify plants with AI: Snap a photo, and get accurate results within seconds.
Download the App for Free

Scientific Classification of Catnip

Family
Mint
Icon allow
Genus
Catnips
Icon allow
Species
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Learn More About the Catnip

Distribution Map of Catnip

Catnip is native to Asia and Europe, growing in shady locations like forests. It is naturalized in North America, New Zealand, and northern Europe where it is an invasive weed in lawns and gardens.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
close
close
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
product icon
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
product icon
Nearly 5 years of research
product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
ad
Botanist in your pocket
qrcode
PictureThis Ios DownloadPictureThis Android Download
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app