Catmint (Nepeta) is a favored garden plant, known for its aromatic foliage and lavender-blue flowers. Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, helps maintain vigorous growth and abundant flowering. This article outlines the methods and advantages of deadheading catmint for better plant health and prolonged blooms.
Benefits of Deadheading Catmint
Removing faded flowers from catmint extends its blooming period. When a plant’s energy is not directed towards producing seeds, it is channeled into developing new flowers. This encourages multiple flushes of blooms throughout the growing season, creating a continuous show of color.
Deadheading also improves the plant’s overall appearance, preventing a leggy or untidy look. As flowers fade, they turn brown and detract from the plant’s aesthetic appeal. Removing these spent blooms ensures the catmint remains compact and visually appealing.
Furthermore, deadheading helps manage catmint’s spread by preventing unwanted self-seeding. Excessive self-seeding can lead to overcrowded beds or the plant appearing in undesirable locations. Removing spent flowers before they set seed provides control over the plant’s natural propagation.
Steps for Deadheading Catmint
The best time to deadhead catmint is after its initial bloom flush fades, usually in late spring or early summer. Continue to deadhead individual spent flower spikes throughout the growing season. Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors for precise cuts, reducing the risk of plant damage or disease.
For light deadheading, remove individual spent flower stems by cutting just above a set of healthy leaves or a developing side shoot. This encourages new growth and subsequent flowers, maintaining tidiness and continuous blooming.
For a more substantial rejuvenation, especially after the main bloom cycle, shear the entire plant back by approximately one-third of its height. This aggressive cut encourages a strong flush of new growth and a second wave of blooms within a few weeks. Observe the plant for new growth emerging from the base before making this cut.
After Deadheading Catmint
After deadheading, provide adequate moisture to support the plant’s recovery and new growth. While catmint tolerates drought, thorough watering, especially during dry periods or after extensive cut-backs, assists in developing fresh foliage and flower buds.
Catmint is not a heavy feeder, and regular fertilization is often unnecessary in established garden beds. However, if the plant struggles or a significant portion was removed during deadheading, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can provide a boost. This supports new bloom production without encouraging excessive foliage growth.
New flower spikes typically emerge within a few weeks of deadheading, especially after substantial shearing. This renewed blooming cycle extends catmint’s visual appeal into late summer or early fall. The plant’s ability to rebound quickly makes deadheading a rewarding practice.