Perennial hybrid of the Lamiaceae family, Nepeta x faassenii is a natural or horticultural cross between Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella, two Mediterranean and West Asian species. This sterile hybrid is mainly known in the form of garden cultivars widely spread in temperate horticulture.
It forms soft and bushy clumps, spreading to semi-upright, 30 to 45 cm in height, with an airy and light habit. The stems are square, characteristic of Lamiaceae, and covered with a fine grayish down. The foliage is evergreen to semi-evergreen depending on the climate, composed of small oval crenate leaves, with an aromatic silvery gray-green that releases an intense scent of camphor and mint when crushed, particularly appreciated by cats.
The flowers, tubular and bilabiate, are gathered in loose terminal spikes of a characteristic lavender-blue. In its natural habitat, the flowering of the parent species extends from May to July. In cultivation, this sterile hybrid blooms abundantly from May to July, with a possible rebloom in autumn if the plant is cut back after the first flowering.
It thrives in well-drained soil, poor to moderately fertile, in full sun. Drought-tolerant once established, it is perfectly suited to rock gardens, dry borders, and gravel gardens.