Cat mint plant

[jeanswithatwist]

I bought this as saw it in herb section of a local garden centre, thought our 1year old (cat) would love it. Absolutely NO interest at all. Anyone else have a cat who isn't interested?
Label on pot said it appeals to cats (I assume cat mint is cat nip?)

[cozietoesie]

I don't think they're quite the same. Catnip is Nepeta cataria I think and catmint Nepeta mussinii I think. Has it a label with its proper name on?

[jeanswithatwist]

It did but it got thrown out. Perhaps its not the same thing. My previous cat used to LOVE a cat nip plant, perhaps this is different although label said cats like it. I like it anyway..ta

[cozietoesie]

I have just a feeling - some of the other posters may help here - that 'catnip' is the powerful one and that other Nepeta varieties - while more 'showy' for the garden - are more hit and miss with cats.

[PestilentialCat]

I had a few catmint plants & the cats ate them, right down to the ground. Every little shoot was immediately eaten, until they stopped growing altogether!

[timtam23]

Catmint plant is definitely not as popular as catnip plant here (I have both...) I bought the catnip one online, have never seen it in a local garden centrecentre (which is where I got the catmint). Both are Nepeta but the catmint is less potent it would seem

[RubbishMantra]

A Tip - Don't buy a catnip toy unless you relish the thought of coming home to the smell of rancid teenage boy feet, that have been marinaded in stinking bishop.

[jeanswithatwist]

polter that is one fine pic! i can't believe my cat ain't interested in it, she isn't normal......

[jeanswithatwist]

i will try squishing a leaf or two. i got a nice pot for it, sits on the windowsil in the lounge, i like it even though it is quite plain. rubbish i HATE the smell of smelly feet, probably more than (nearly...) anything. had many catnip toys over the years, never noticed a bad smell from them, are you sure it was the toy.......

[cozietoesie]

Are you sure it was actually catmint, Polter? He looks to be away with the fairies!

[JanetWeb2812]

I was always under the impression that Catnip has no effect on around one-in-five cats.

[jeanswithatwist]

polter that really made me laugh, my routine used to be pretty similar when i was young........

[RubbishMantra]

Ah, sorry, I got catnip mixed up with Valerian. Man, that stuff stinks! It had to be relocated to an outside toy. Which was a shame, because it was a sweet little fluffy prawn. God, but the smell!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

We bought seeds online and grew it in a pot, the cats adored it and ate the entire lit so it died. I'm going to try growing it through an upturned wire mesh hanging basket next time so they can only eat the outer parts.

[RubbishMantra]

Oh, and once I was trimming back the catnip, left it in a pile, the sun dried it out and Little Monsieur went a bit overboard on it. He was creeping about the house scared of his own shadow. According to studies, it has the same effect that LSD has on humans.

[problembottom]

I got DP to make our cat a little herb garden last summer after reading a Cats Protection article. He created a lovely arrangement of five pots. Cat didn't go near it! DP not amused.