Catmint and Daylily are often considered for the same spot in the garden (flowers, pollinator friendly, ground cover, container). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Nepeta × faassenii 50 cm × 80 cm after 10 years
A loose mound of grey-green, aromatic foliage that carries clouds of lavender-blue flowers from May to September and is a favourite of pollinators.…
Hemerocallis × hybrida 80 cm × 60 cm after 10 years
Garden daylilies are almost indestructible, long-lived perennials: above a clump of arching, grassy leaves they carry trumpet-shaped flowers for weeks…
Daylily is highly toxic to cats: even a small amount can be life-threatening. Do not plant it where cats go. Highly toxic to cats: eating any part of the plant (leaves, flowers, even pollen) can cause vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and then acute kidney failure, which can be fatal.
Daylily grows taller, Catmint spreads wider: 80 cm × 60 cm and 50 cm × 80 cm after ten years (an estimate: sources differ).
Catmint needs less water than Daylily.
Daylily also takes heavy clay, Catmint needs a loose, free-draining soil.
Catmint is cheaper: about PLN 16 at the size usually planted, against about PLN 20 for Daylily.
Catmint is the better choice if cats use the garden, you cannot water regularly or price matters.
Daylily is the better choice if the soil is heavy clay.
|
Feature
|
Catmint
|
Daylily
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Perennial | Perennial |
| Size after 10 years | 50 cm × 80 cm (uncertain) | 80 cm × 60 cm (uncertain) |
| Ultimate size | 30–90 cm × 0.4–1.2 m (uncertain) | 0.2–1.5 m × 30–90 cm (uncertain) |
| Growth rate | Fast (uncertain) | Medium (uncertain) |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun, Part shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Sandy | Average garden soil, Clay |
| Hardiness | down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) | down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7) |
| Heat tolerance | High | High |
| Foliage | Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Flowering | May–September, blue, purple, white (uncertain) | May–September, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, white (uncertain) |
| Water need | Low | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | High | High |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
| Planting distance | 50 cm | 50 cm |
| For dogs | no data | Non-toxic |
| For cats | Mildly toxic (uncertain) | Highly toxic |
| For children | no data | Non-toxic |
| Typical price | approx. PLN 16 | approx. PLN 20 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026
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