Catnip vs. Catmint - Ask Extension
I have been told that Catmint attracts mountain lions similar to Catnip.
My landscape architect who has been working in this area for 35 years disagr...
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Catnip vs. Catmint #780543
Asked January 20, 2022, 7:11 PM EST
I have been told that Catmint attracts mountain lions similar to Catnip.
My landscape architect who has been working in this area for 35 years disagrees.
Can you give me any information on this.
Many Thanks!
Brent
Eagle County Colorado
Expert Response
Can anyone help with this question?
Hi Brent,
My apologies for the long delay, this question was just assigned to me.
Catmints (plants in the Nepta genus) do produce some nepetalactone which is the aromatic compound that makes cats go crazy. However actual catnip (Nepeta cataria) produces much more of this compound compared to other catmints. So yes some cats (and potentially mountain lions) do find catmints like Nepeta x faassenii (one of the most common catmints grown ornamentally) attractive but to a much lesser degree than catnip and it does not have the same stimulating effect as catnip.
Best,
Denyse
My apologies for the long delay, this question was just assigned to me.
Catmints (plants in the Nepta genus) do produce some nepetalactone which is the aromatic compound that makes cats go crazy. However actual catnip (Nepeta cataria) produces much more of this compound compared to other catmints. So yes some cats (and potentially mountain lions) do find catmints like Nepeta x faassenii (one of the most common catmints grown ornamentally) attractive but to a much lesser degree than catnip and it does not have the same stimulating effect as catnip.
Best,
Denyse
