UK compost
What compost for nepeta 'six hills giant' in the UK?
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant'
More about nepeta 'six hills giant' in the UK
Which compost nepeta 'six hills giant' needs
For nepeta 'six hills giant' the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Thrives in poor, dry, gritty or sandy soils and tolerates chalk. Sharp drainage is key, especially over winter. Avoid rich, moist ground, which causes lush, floppy growth.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows nepeta 'six hills giant' perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' does not want a rich, water-holding compost — it wants sharp drainage. Cut peat-free multipurpose roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, and always pot into a container with drainage holes. A "cactus and succulent" bagged mix is a ready-made shortcut.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the nepeta 'six hills giant' soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Nepeta 'Six Hills Giant' in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for nepeta 'six hills giant' in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Thrives in poor, dry, gritty or sandy soils and tolerates chalk. Sharp drainage is key, especially over winter. Avoid rich, moist ground, which causes lush, floppy growth. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for nepeta 'six hills giant'?
Not on its own — multipurpose compost holds too much water for nepeta 'six hills giant' and will rot the roots. Cut it roughly 50:50 with horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite so it drains fast.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow nepeta 'six hills giant' perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does nepeta 'six hills giant' need grit or perlite added?
Yes — nepeta 'six hills giant' must have sharp drainage. Add about one part horticultural grit or perlite to one part compost, and always use a pot with drainage holes.
What pot and drainage does nepeta 'six hills giant' need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Free-draining, light soil of low to moderate fertility. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More nepeta 'six hills giant' care
See the full nepeta 'six hills giant' care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.