Repotting guide

When & how to repot Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron' (Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron')

Also called Siberian catmint, Blue Beauty catmint.

More about nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'

About Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron'

Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron' · also called Siberian catmint, Blue Beauty catmint · flowering

Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron', also sold as 'Blue Beauty', is an upright catmint bearing large, deep lavender-blue flowers on erect stems through summer above aromatic, toothed foliage. Taller and more vertical than mounding catmints, it spreads by runners to form colonies. Loved by bees, it is hardy, drought-tolerant and good for naturalistic borders.

Mature size: 75-90 cm tall, spreading 60-90 cm or more.

Watch for — Spreading by runners: Rhizomes can colonise beyond their spot, especially in rich, moist soil. Divide regularly and dig out unwanted shoots to control spread.

How to tell nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Upright, running perennial spreading by rhizomes to form spreading colonies; more vertical and wandering than clump-forming catmints..

What size pot to step nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh free-draining, moderately fertile soil, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'

Nepeta sibirica 'Souvenir d'André Chaudron' wants free-draining, moderately fertile soil. Best in well-drained soil of average fertility; tolerates poorer, dry and chalky ground. Sharp winter drainage matters most. Rich, moist soil produces lax growth and increases its spreading vigour. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'. Only repot nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using free-draining, moderately fertile soil. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' need?

When is the best time of year to repot nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'?

Does nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' like to be root-bound?

Yes — nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting nepeta sibirica 'souvenir d'andré chaudron'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.