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Catnip

Nepeta cataria

In the Carolinas and Georgia, found in fencerows, barnyards, disturbed areas. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Carolinas & Georgia edition What its natural habitat tells you

-30
Harmful

Not native to Arkansas. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 71%

Height
1–4 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Dry to somewhat dry
See native alternatives

Do not plant. Listed invasive in Arkansas.

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Frost Aster
    Symphyotrichum pilosum

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow or white.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Bluestem Goldenrod
    Solidago caesia

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod
    Solidago rugosa

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
July to October

Not yet recorded · Spread

Recorded in 7 Arkansas counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Arkansas. Shared habitat, not food. 63 animals.

All wildlife of Arkansas

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

2CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AR

Genus host records with ranges including AR · Nepeta

  • Urbanus proteusLong-Tailed Skipper, Bean Leaf Roller
  • Xanthotype urticariaFalse Crocus Geometer
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Nepeta

  • Acanthis flammeaCommon Redpoll
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Lamiaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–9b
Flower color
Purple or white

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Catmint

Conservation status

Arkansas rankSNA
Global rankGNR
AR statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources