The ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint (Nepeta hybrid) is a vibrant, award-winning perennial that’s a must-have for any garden seeking a splash of color and an attraction for pollinators. This particular variety stands out for its long blooming season, offering a profusion of indigo blue flowers that cover the plant from soil to tip through spring and summer. Beyond its peak bloom, the rosy purple calyxes prolong the visual interest, ensuring that your garden remains lively even as individual flowers begin to fade.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Perfect for small gardens, Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ (Catmint) is a dwarf herbaceous perennial of neat and tidy ball-shaped habit. The foliage is topped from early summer into early fall with long, dark flower stems boasting showy spikes of indigo blue flowers with rosy purple calyces. Unlike other varieties of Catmint that only produce flowers at the top of the stems, ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ produces blooms from the ground to the tips of the stems for increased impact.

As a bonus, the foliage of small, aromatic, gray-green leaves keeps deer and rabbits away. Catmint is a wonderful garden plant with low-maintenance, drought tolerance, and long-lasting blooms. Plant in large drifts along a walkway to create a garden space that overflows with color, and enjoy its mint scent when bruised. Terrific near the front of the border and for edging too!
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
‘Cat’s Pajamas’ performs best in full sun to part shade. Provide light afternoon shade in warm summer areas.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist after planting. Once established, ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is drought-tolerant, requiring water only during prolonged dry spells.
Mulching

Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Soil
This plant tolerates a range of soil pH but prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils.
Fertilizing
Generally, ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ does not require frequent fertilization. If growth seems slow or foliage color is pale, apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
Planting Instructions

- Timing: Plant in spring or early fall to allow the plant time to establish before the extremes of summer heat or winter cold.
- Location: Choose a spot with full sun. ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ catmint thrives in areas that receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Soil: This plant prefers well-drained soil. It’s adaptable to a range of soil types, including poor soils, but poor drainage can lead to root issues.
- Spacing: Space plants 18 to 20 inches apart to allow for mature growth spread and adequate air circulation, which helps prevent disease.
- Planting Depth: Dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the root ball. Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill with soil and water thoroughly.
Pruning
After the first flush of blooms begins to fade, shear the plant back by one-third to encourage a second bloom period. Deadheading is not necessary but can promote a tidier appearance.
Winter Care
In zones where ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is perennial, it can be left in the ground over winter. The plant will die back to the ground and return in spring. In late fall, you can trim back the dead foliage, but leaving it can provide winter interest and protection for the crown.
Pests and Diseases

‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is relatively disease and pest-resistant. However, good air circulation is crucial to preventing fungal diseases. Keep an eye out for common garden pests and treat as necessary.
III. Uses and Benefits
The ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint is a versatile and attractive addition to various landscaping designs, offering numerous uses that can enhance both the aesthetic and ecological value of garden spaces. Here are some of its primary landscaping uses:
- Border Planting
With its compact size and long blooming period, ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is perfect for creating vibrant borders along garden beds, walkways, or patios. Its indigo blue flowers provide a striking contrast against the green foliage, adding depth and interest to garden borders.
- Container Gardening
This variety of catmint is well-suited for container gardening, where its mounded habit and colorful blooms can be showcased on balconies, terraces, or as accent pieces at entryways. Container planting also allows for easy management of soil conditions, ensuring the plant thrives.
- Cut Flower Gardens
The fragrant, indigo blue flowers of ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ make it an excellent choice for cut flower gardens. Its blooms can be used to create beautiful, aromatic bouquets that bring the garden’s beauty indoors.
- Edging
This catmint’s compact growth habit makes it an ideal choice for edging along paths, garden beds, or driveways. It provides a neat, low-maintenance edge that blooms profusely, adding color and texture to garden edges.

- Landscape Accent
‘Cat’s Pajamas’ can serve as a vibrant landscape accent when planted in small groups or as a focal point in garden designs. Its long blooming season and attractive foliage make it a standout feature in any landscape setting.
- Mass Planting
For a dramatic effect, consider mass planting ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint. This approach creates a sea of blue that is not only visually stunning but also highly attractive to pollinators, enhancing the garden’s biodiversity.
- Pollinator Gardens
Given its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, incorporating ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ into pollinator gardens supports local ecosystems while providing gardeners the joy of observing these creatures up close.
- Xeriscaping
Due to its drought tolerance, ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is an excellent choice for xeriscaping projects. It can thrive in dry, challenging conditions while contributing beauty and color to water-wise garden designs.
Incorporating ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint into landscaping projects not only enhances the visual appeal of garden spaces but also supports local wildlife and reduces maintenance needs, making it a valuable plant for various gardening endeavors.