Blue-violet blossoms that refuse to quit, silvery foliage that softens a border, and a smell that bees adore but deer avoid—that is the promise of a true perennial catmint. The wrong starter plant, however, can arrive leggy, root-bound, or as a disappointing handful of stems that takes a full season to establish.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I spend my weeks comparing live-plant specs, tracking grower shipping practices, and cross-referencing owner feedback on root development, bloom timing, and transplant success across dozens of perennial suppliers.
After digging through the data, one name keeps emerging as the most reliable pick for anyone searching for the best catmint purrsian blue starter that actually arrives healthy and blooms on schedule.
How To Choose The Best Catmint Purrsian Blue
Buying a live perennial online is different from grabbing a pot at a nursery. You are trusting the grower to ship a plant with an intact root system, appropriate soil moisture, and enough top growth to survive transplant shock. For catmint specifically, three specs determine whether your plant thrives or just hangs on.
Container Size at Shipment
A #1 container (roughly one gallon) holds a plant that has been growing for at least a full season. A 4-inch pot or quart container holds a younger, less established root ball. Catmint with a larger root mass transplants with almost no setback and blooms sooner. Check the shipped container size, not the plant’s eventual mature size.
Hardiness Zone Match
Most catmint varieties are rated for zones 3 through 8 or 4 through 9. If you are in zone 9 or higher, look for a heat-tolerant cultivar like ‘Cat’s Pajamas’. If you are in zone 2 or 3, check that the specific starter has been winter-tested in northern growers. Shipping restrictions also apply—some sellers cannot ship to Arizona, California, or the Pacific Northwest.
Bloom Rebloom Potential
Not all catmint cultivars rebloom after shearing. ‘Walker’s Low’ and ‘Cat’s Meow’ benefit from a mid-summer cutback and produce a second flush of flowers. Standard Nepeta cataria does not rebloom as reliably. If you want color from June through September, choose a sterile or near-sterile hybrid such as Nepeta x faassenii ‘Walker’s Low’.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clovers Garden Catmint (2-Pack) | Mid-Range | Immediate garden impact with two established plants | 4-8 in. tall in 4 in. pots | Amazon |
| Proven Winners Cat’s Meow | Mid-Range | Compact habit for small borders or containers | 17-20 in. tall at maturity | Amazon |
| Perennial Farm Walker’s Low | Mid-Range | Fragrant pathway edging with tall flower spikes | 24-30 in. flower spikes | Amazon |
| Winter Greenhouse Cat’s Pajamas | Premium | Heat-tolerant performer from a proven winners breeder | 14 in. mature height | Amazon |
| Greenwood Nursery Walker’s Low (2-Pack) | Premium | Bulk planting for pollinator patches or mass groundcover | 2-3 ft. mature height per plant | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Clovers Garden Catmint (Nepeta) Plants – Two Live Plants in 4 in. Pots
Clovers Garden ships two large plants per box, each standing 4 to 8 inches tall in a true 4-inch pot with a root system the grower calls “10x development.” That root mass is the single biggest advantage here—the plants handle transplant shock noticeably better than single-stem starters, and owner reports confirm they flower within a week of arrival when planted in full sun.
Each plant is grown in the Midwest without neonicotinoids and is labeled non-GMO. The silvery-green foliage and blue-violet blossoms attract pollinators through mid-summer until first frost. The included Quick Start Planting Guide is genuinely useful for first-time perennial buyers who need spacing and watering instructions specific to catmint.
The one recurring negative appears in reviews where cats discover the plants and flatten the stems—this is a catmint vulnerability, not a grower defect, but it matters if your garden is frequented by outdoor felines. Also, the 4-inch pot size means the plant is younger than a gallon-container option, so first-year bloom volume is moderate, not explosive.
What works
- Two healthy plants arrive with robust, well-developed roots that transplant with minimal shock
- Blooms appear within a week for most buyers when planted in full sun with regular watering
What doesn’t
- Catmint scent attracts neighborhood cats that may flatten or damage the foliage
- Plants are in 4-inch pots rather than larger containers, so first-year spread is limited
2. Proven Winners Cat’s Meow Catmint (Nepeta) Live Plant, Blue-Purple Flowers
The ‘Cat’s Meow’ cultivar from Proven Winners is bred for a dense, mounded shape that maxes out at 17 to 20 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. That compact habit makes it the best choice for small-space gardeners who need a catmint that stays tidy without constant shearing. The plant ships in a 0.65-gallon container with a 2-ounce packet of controlled-release fertilizer that feeds for six months.
Buyers consistently report that the plant arrives bushier than the listing photos suggest, with healthy green foliage and soil that remains moist even after several days in transit. The blue-purple flowers open within a month of planting, and the fragrance is frequently described as a lemony-mint blend rather than the heavy skunky smell of catnip. Deer and rabbits leave it alone, and bees work the blossoms constantly.
On the downside, the 0.65-gallon size is smaller than a full gallon, and some owners note the plant takes a full season to reach its advertised spread. Also, if you miss the mid-summer cutback, the plant can look leggy by August. The price is higher than smaller-potted competitors, but the Proven Winners disease-resistance testing justifies the premium for serious gardeners.
What works
- Bushy, compact form stays 17-20 inches tall without needing heavy pruning
- Included slow-release fertilizer eliminates guesswork for the first growing season
What doesn’t
- Container is 0.65 gallons rather than a full gallon, so first-year spread is slower
- Mid-summer deadheading required to prevent leggy growth by late August
3. Perennial Farm Marketplace Nepeta ‘Walker’s Low’ Catmint, #1 Container
‘Walker’s Low’ is the 2007 Perennial of the Year for good reason: its 24- to 30-inch flower spikes create a dramatic vertical accent that most compact catmint cultivars cannot match. The deep lavender tubular flowers sit atop gray-green leaves that release a clean minty fragrance when brushed. This is the cultivar to choose if you want catmint that makes a statement along a pathway or at the back of a border.
Perennial Farm Marketplace ships the plant fully rooted in a #1 container (roughly one gallon), which gives it a significant head start over quart-sized competitors. The soil is well-draining, and the plant arrives in seasonal condition—dormant and trimmed if shipped between November and March, fully leafed out during the growing season. Buyers consistently report that the plant looks healthy on arrival and that cats tend to ignore it, likely because the scent profile is more mint than catnip.
The main issue involves container size confusion. A small number of buyers expect a one-gallon nursery pot but receive a quart-sized plant, which suggests inconsistent packing between seasons. Additionally, this cultivar is restricted from shipping to several western states due to USDA regulations, so buyers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Hawaii must look elsewhere.
What works
- Tall 24-30 inch flower spikes make it ideal for back-of-border or pathway edging
- Fragrant gray-green foliage is highly deer-resistant and rarely bothers cats
What doesn’t
- Some shipments arrive in quart containers despite being advertised as #1 containers
- Restricted shipping to western US states means regional buyers cannot purchase
4. Winter Greenhouse Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ Catmint Live Plant, Potted Perennial
‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a Proven Winners introduction bred specifically for heat and drought tolerance, making it the strongest pick for southern gardeners in zones 3 through 8 who deal with long, dry summers. The plant reaches only 14 inches tall, but it stays dense and floriferous without deadheading—the spent flower spikes provide visual interest into fall. The lavender blossoms smell distinctly minty rather than skunky, and rabbits avoid it completely.
Winter Greenhouse packs the plant with biodegradable and recyclable materials, and buyers almost universally praise the packaging as the best in this category. The plant arrives in a 4.5-inch container at about 2 to 4 inches tall, which is younger than a gallon-size starter. However, the Proven Winners genetics mean faster establishment and better disease resistance than generic nursery stock. One review notes that a neighborhood cat discovered the plant immediately after planting, so outdoor cats remain a risk.
The biggest drawback is the price-to-size ratio at arrival. A 2- to 4-inch plant in a 4.5-inch pot feels underwhelming when unpacked, especially compared to the Clovers Garden two-pack. Also, the plant should not be confused with catnip—some buyers expect the intoxicating effect on felines and are disappointed when their cats show only mild interest.
What works
- Proven Winners genetics provide exceptional heat and drought resistance for southern gardens
- No deadheading needed; spent flower spikes remain attractive through fall
What doesn’t
- Plant arrives small at 2-4 inches in a 4.5-inch pot, which feels expensive for the size
- Cats may still discover and damage the plant despite its catnip-different genetics
5. Greenwood Nursery ‘Walkers Low’ Catmint – 2X Pint Pots
Greenwood Nursery ships two ‘Walker’s Low’ catmint plants in pint-sized containers, making this the most cost-effective option for anyone covering a larger area. The mature height of 2 to 3 feet per plant means you fill space quickly, and the deep lavender-blue flowers bloom profusely in early summer with a second flush possible if sheared back after the first bloom cycle. The plants are deciduous perennials suited for zones 4 through 9.
The packaging is a standout feature—Greenwood bundles bare-root plants with hydrating gel and moist paper, or potted plants sleeved in craft paper, all stabilized inside a corrugated box with crunched paper and air pillows. Reviews consistently describe the plants arriving healthy, with vibrant green leaves and moist soil, even after a week in transit. The 14-day guarantee offers real protection if something goes wrong, though most buyers never need it.
The pint-sized containers are the trade-off. A few buyers feel the plants are too small for the price compared to what local nurseries offer, and the time to reach full size and bloom can feel slow. Also, because these are bare-root or small potted starters, they require careful acclimation—immediate watering upon arrival and planting within a day or two. Skip this option if you need instant garden impact.
What works
- Two plants per order provide better value for mass planting or groundcover projects
- Exceptional packaging ensures plants arrive healthy even after extended transit
What doesn’t
- Pint-sized containers require patience; full size takes at least one growing season
- Plants arrive small and need immediate attention (watering and planting within 48 hours)
Hardware & Specs Guide
Container Size & Root Mass
The shipped container size determines how much root ball the plant has developed. A #1 container (one gallon) holds a plant that is roughly one year old and ready to bloom immediately. A 4-inch pot or pint container holds a younger plant that needs a full season to reach the same level of establishment. For catmint, bigger roots mean faster top growth and earlier flowering.
Hardiness Zone & Sun Requirements
Most catmint varieties require full sun—6 or more hours of direct light—and are hardy in zones 3 through 8 or 4 through 9. The winter survival range depends on the cultivar. ‘Walker’s Low’ is rated for zones 5-9, while ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ handles zone 3 winters. Always check the specific USDA zone range listed by the grower, not the generic plant species tolerance.
FAQ
Will catmint ‘Purrsian Blue’ attract cats to my garden?
How big does this plant get at maturity?
Can I grow catmint in partial shade instead of full sun?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best catmint purrsian blue winner is the Clovers Garden Catmint 2-Pack because it delivers two healthy, well-rooted plants that flower quickly and handle transplant shock with minimal fuss. If you want a compact, tidy habit for a small border, grab the Proven Winners Cat’s Meow. And for a tall, fragrant pathway statement that hummingbirds love, nothing beats the Perennial Farm Walker’s Low.