UK compost
What compost for turkish catmint in the UK?
Nepeta phyllochlamys
More about turkish catmint in the UK
Which compost turkish catmint needs
For turkish catmint the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Prefers poor, stony, calcareous soil (pH 7.0–8.5). Use a 50:50 mix of loam-based compost and coarse horticultural grit for containers. Never use peat-based or moisture-retentive mixes. A layer of grit around the crown deters rot.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 turkish catmint 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?
Turkish Catmint 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 turkish catmint soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Turkish Catmint in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for turkish catmint in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost cut roughly half-and-half with horticultural grit or perlite. Prefers poor, stony, calcareous soil (pH 7.0–8.5). Use a 50:50 mix of loam-based compost and coarse horticultural grit for containers. Never use peat-based or moisture-retentive mixes. A layer of grit around the crown deters rot. 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 turkish catmint?
Not on its own — multipurpose compost holds too much water for turkish catmint 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 turkish catmint perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does turkish catmint need grit or perlite added?
Yes — turkish catmint 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 turkish catmint need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Gritty, sharply drained alkaline soil. 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 turkish catmint care
See the full turkish catmint care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.