PlantLegit

Native alternatives to catmint

If you want a low, long-blooming edging perennial but would rather plant native, try Narrowleaf mountain mint, Woodland phlox, Foxglove beardtongue. Catmint is not on any official invasive list we track, so it is legal to plant; these natives are an option, not a requirement.Picks fill a similar garden role; sizes, sun and zones from NC State Extension; native states from USDA PLANTS.

Native plants that fill the same role

Native plantTypeHeightSunZonesNative in plan states (USDA)Source
Narrowleaf mountain mint
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium		perennial2 ft - 4 ftfull sun–part shadezones 4–8VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Woodland phlox
Phlox divaricata		perennial0 ft 6 in. - 1 ftpart shade–shadezones 3–8VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Foxglove beardtongue
Penstemon digitalis		perennial2 ft - 4 ftfull sun–part shadezones 3–8VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Wild bergamot
Monarda fistulosa		perennial2 ft - 4 ftfull sun–part shadezones 3–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NC, DENC State Ext.
Threadleaf coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata		perennial2 ft 6 in. - 3 ftfull sun–part shadezones 3–9VA, MD, SC, WV, GA, TN, NCNC State Ext.

Is catmint (Nepeta × faassenii) illegal or invasive?

It is not on any official invasive or noxious-weed list we track (all 50 states + DC). It's legal to plant. The natives below are an option, not a requirement.

More swaps: all native swaps · fast-growing native privacy trees · check any plant for your ZIP

Sources

  1. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Narrowleaf mountain mint
  2. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Woodland phlox
  3. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Foxglove beardtongue
  4. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Wild bergamot
  5. NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Threadleaf coreopsis
  6. USDA NRCS PLANTS Database (native status by state)
  7. PlantLegit works cited: official state invasive lists behind the legal status

Checked October 19, 2026. Not legal or professional advice; the official text controls.