Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Broadleaf Evergreen, Grass
  
Perennial
  
Origin
Mexico
  
Turkey, Iran, Western Asia
  
Types
Otatea acuminata ssp. acuminata, Otatea acuminata ssp. aztecorum, Otatea acuminata 'Dwarf'
  
Apple Mint, Basil Mint, Ginger Mint
  
Number of Varieties
Not Available
  
Habitat
Subtropical climates, tropical environments
  
Banks, Near organic waste disposal, Roadsides, Stream side
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
9-12
  
4-8
  
AHS Heat Zone
10 - 7
  
8-1
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 9, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Weeping
  
Spreading
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Non Flowering Plant
  
Light Blue, Lavender, Blue Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Non Fruiting Plant
  
Not Available
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Yellow green
  
Green, Light Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Yellow green
  
Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Yellow green
  
Light Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Long linear and narrow
  
Arrowhead
  
Thorns
No
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Fast
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Not Available
  
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Container, Ground
  
Container, Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Divison
  
Divison, Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Medium
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Never Over-water
  
Average Water Needs, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
  
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Pruning
Prune every year, Prune to control growth, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Cut or pinch the stems, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Requires high amount of nitrogen
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, Compost, fertilize in fall, fertilize in spring
  
Pests and Diseases
Aphids, Mealybugs
  
Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought
  
Drought
  
Flowers
None
  
Yes
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
No
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
Yes
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Fine
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Matte
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
Sometimes
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Mealybugs
  
Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
  
Allergy
Skin irritation
  
Anaesthesia, Irritation to urinary tract
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
No Beauty Benefits
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification, Windbreak
  
Air purification
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
No Medicinal Use
  
Cough, Menstrual Disorders, Nerve pain
  
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
  
Leaves
  
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
  
Can be made into a herbal tea, Oil is used in mosquito repellents
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Tropical
  
Container, Groundcover, Mixed Border, Rock Garden, Wall
  
Botanical Name
OTATEA acuminata
  
NEPETA mussinii
  
Common Name
Clumping Bamboo, Mexican Weeping Bamboo
  
Catmint
  
In Hindi
मैक्सिकन बांस
  
कटमींट
  
In German
Mexican Bambus
  
Katzenminze
  
In French
Bamboo mexicaine
  
Catmint
  
In Spanish
bambú mexicana
  
catmint
  
In Greek
Μεξικού μπαμπού
  
catmint
  
In Portuguese
Bamboo Mexican
  
nêveda
  
In Polish
Mexican Bamboo
  
catmint
  
In Latin
Mexicanus Bamboo
  
nepetae mixtam
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Not Available
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Not Available
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Poales
  
Lamiales
  
Family
Poaceae
  
Lamiaceae
  
Genus
Otatea
  
Nepeta
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Nepeteae
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Number of Species
Not Available
  
Not Available