General
Is your
furry
feline
friend
feeling
flat? Grow some catnip!
Catnip plant is best known for its effect on all members of the Cat family. All felines, are attracted to this species with results that are often strange and hilarious. The stems and leaves of Catnip are lemony-mint scented. Bees seem to prefer its flowers over most others, but a common plant pest in gardens, the flea beetle, is deterred by it. Rats are known to be repelled by it. Cats, however, rub against Catnip as though trying to coat themselves, roll on it, toss it about, and rub their faces in it. When fresh, many cats will often consume the leaves. Catnip is commonly used as a stuffing for cat playthings, often presented as a feline aphrodisiac.The universal appeal of this species to cats is underscored by the fact that the herb's common name in every Western language contains some variation of the word "cat".
Latin
Nepeta cataria.
Lamiaceae family.
Difficulty
Easy.
Season & Zone
Season: Warm season.
Exposure: Full-sun, sun and part-shade.
Zone: Hardy from zone 3 to 9.
Planting Seeds
Plant seeds either indoors or outdoors uncovered in the Spring to germinate in 4 to 8 days.
Protect seedlings from cats.
Preparing Soil
Plant catnip in well-drained soil in the sun or light shade. Keep the soil moist.
Planting
You'll have to grow this plant from a hanging basket if there are cats nearby. Otherwise, set the plants 45cm (18") apart in the garden. They grow quite tall, especially if you are growing them for cut flowers in bouquets.
Individuals interested in cultivating Catnip are advised to sow the seeds directly and be especially careful not to damage seedlings (releasing the volatile oil) or neighborhood cats will destroy the crop.
Diseases & Pests
Cats. Try to prevent your cat from figuring out where you planted your catnip!
Harvest
To save the summer catmint bounty, harvest when fully grown, and keep the plant picked regularly.
Companion Plants
Eggplant.
