What's eating my catnip?

Catnip's biggest garden 'pest' is cats rolling on and crushing plants, but genuine insect pests include aphids on new growth and spider mites in dry summers. Flea beetles may pepper leaves with small holes. Strong nepetalactone oils otherwise deter most insects, making this a naturally resilient herb.

Crushed, flattened, or uprooted plants from rolling behaviour; stems broken at soil level Protect young plants with wire cloches or chicken-wire cages until stems are woody and established

Sticky new shoot tips; distorted leaves; honeydew attracting sooty mould Spray with water jet or insecticidal soap; use neem oil for persistent colonies

Numerous tiny round holes scattered across leaves, giving a shot-hole appearance Apply fine insect mesh to exclude beetles; use kaolin clay dust; keep plants well watered to reduce stress