Catmint/Catnip - cutting back

[Millie1]

I've read that i should cut my catmint/catnip back now when the blooms are spent. How far back should i take it - do I just take off the dead blooms or do I take the whole thing, foliage et al, right back to a few inches? Thanks!

[meltedmarsbars]

If its not obviously ugly, leave it will winter. Seeds are precious to wildlife.

Then cut it right to the ground and it will grow back next year.

[Millie1]

Thanks Mars ... that's what I did last year but then landscape guy made a remark about cutting it back in a few weeks (that was about 6w ago) and I read in a gardening section to take it back in order to get a second flush of flowers. It's a bit unsightly at the front so I'll take that back but will leave the plants at the back. Thanks!

[meltedmarsbars]

Yes you can cut it back to get a second flush - the same as geraniums. I only bother with the geraniums. July is probably the best time, as your landscape guy said.

[OhWesternWind]

Hi Millie - you will need to cut the whole plant back to get a second flush. If you leave seedheads on the plant, it thinks it's done its job for the year and won't produce more flowers. You only get a second flush of flowers as it's the plant's last chance to set seed that season. HTH!!

[Millie1]

Thanks folks - too late this year but will trim some back anyway to tidy it up.