They are easy to tell apart by their aroma, differences in pubescence, leaf shape, bloom arrangement, and their effect on most cats. Lemon balm has a lemony aroma, and prefers moister habitats whereas catnip is found in drier habitats.
What’s the difference between lemon balm and catnip?
Catnip and lemon balm have different leaf colors, shapes, and taste. Lemon balm has a strong lemony taste while catnip lacks it. Catnip presents darker leaves and thrives in drier soil conditions than lemon balm. Catnip smell has a clear effect on cats while lemon balm does not.
How can you tell if a plant is catnip?
Catnip has green to gray-green foliage on erect, branched stems and a rangy habit. Like other members of the mint family, it has the characteristic square stems of mint plants and opposite leaves with 1 inch petioles. The light green stems and petioles are covered with fine hairs.
How can you tell the difference between lemon balm and mint?
The main difference between lemon balm vs. mint is all in the taste. While mint has a sharp, cooling flavor, lemon balm’s taste is more subtle. It has hints of mint along with brighter, citrusy notes.
What does lemon balm look like?
Like other mint family members, lemon balm has scalloped, oval- to heart-shaped leaves that grow opposite one another on square (four-sided) stems. Its leaves are bright green on top and whitish below.
Is lemon balm related to catnip?
Lemon balm, mint, and catnip are the members of the mint or Lamiaceae family that has 236 genera with over 7,000 species. Thus, being members of the same family, they share a lot of resemblance and family characteristics.
What else looks like catnip?
Catnip and catmint both belong to the genus Nepeta in the mint family. They both have square stems that are typical features of mint plants. And they each produce spikes of tiny, two-lipped flowers that are a valuable food source for pollinators.
What herbs look like catnip?
Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii) is similar to catnip, but does not stimulate cats. It is a low-growing mounded plant with attractive, gray-green foliage. It’s profuse blue flowers appear in early summer and again through the monsoon season. It is heat and drought tolerant once established.
What does catnip look like in the garden?
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, catnip is a perennial herb with a clumping growth habit that can reach a few feet tall and wide. It has square stems similar to other members of the mint family, as well as gray-green toothed leaves, and spikes of small white or light pink flowers with pale purple specks.
Is lemon balm OK for cats?
– Lemon balm: Melissa officinalis is not only a cat favorite, but this herb also makes a wonderful tea and emits a lemon-like fragrance.
What other plants look like lemon balm?
Lemon verbena (Aloysia ciriodora or A. Triphylla) and lemon balm (melissa officinalis) often confuse new gardeners. Although the herbs are similar in fragrance and flavor, they differ in appearance and hardiness.
How can you tell the difference between catnip and mint?
Mint and Catnip Appearance
Short stems with whorls of white or light purple flowers appear in late spring or early summer, but catnip flowers are small. Plants grow in sprawling clumps 2 to 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. Mint varieties grow from 6 inches to 3 feet high and spread up to 3 feet.
Does lemon balm spread like mint?
Lemon balm does not spread by underground runners like mint. It will increase in size, though, making a bigger clump in the garden each season and sprouting from seeds that develop from inconspicuous flowers.
What Colour flowers does lemon balm have?
The white tiny flowers are fairly inconspicuous. The inconspicuous white flowers, sometimes with a yellowish or pinkish tinge, bloom in the leaf axils throughout the summer and are attractive to bees. Because lemon balm is rich in nectar, it is sometimes planted to feed bees.
What is the common name of lemon balm?
lemon balm, (Melissa officinalis), also called balm gentle, aromatic herb of the mint family (Lamiaceae), grown for its lemon-scented fragrant leaves. Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia and has naturalized in parts of North America and elsewhere.
Is wild lemon balm edible?
Lemon Balm can be used both in hot and iced teas and in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. The plant is also often used as a flavoring in ice cream and its also suitable for spicing up chicken and fish dishes. Early fresh leaves can be chopped and added to salads.
Why do cats love lemon balm?
3. Lemon balm (Melissa officianlis) This herb offers similar activities in the gut, and will induce a subtle calming effect. Science suggests lemon balm may also help slow an overactive thyroid — a problem suffered by many cats.
What does catnip plant smell like?
mint
A member of the mint family, Nepeta cataria L. (aka catnip) grows throughout the United States. The plant features small, lavender flowers and jagged, heart-shaped leaves that smell faintly of mint.
Can humans eat catnip?
Catnip is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catnip tea have been consumed without serious side effects. However, catnip is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked or taken by mouth in high doses (many cups of catnip tea, for example).
What is the plant that cats love?
Catnip
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is the most popular cat-pleasing plant, because about 80 percent of cats react with glee to contact with nepetalactone, found in catnip leaves and stems.
Will catnip plant attract cats?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) contains nepetalactone, a chemical that attracts many cats, including tigers and other wild felines. Cats typically react by rolling or chewing on the leaves, or by rubbing against the plant.