How to Grow Catnip at Home in 7 Steps: Catnip Care Guide

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)—also known as catswort or catmint—is a perennial herb and member of the mint family known for producing a euphoric effect in cats. It is a medium-sized plant with square stems and fuzzy green foliage. Catnip can grow to around three feet tall and sprouts little white flowers with purple markings. Different hybridizations can create catnip plants of varying sizes and color variations, from lavender to pink.

You can use catnip for a number of purposes, from a treat for your cats to tea. Its name is attributed to its frenzying effect on certain cats (due to the nepetalactone chemical), but dried catnip can also be used to make tea for human consumption. You can also grow catnip to attract pollinators like butterflies. Catnip can also be distilled into an essential oil for use as a mosquito repellent.

Catnip should be planted in the early spring after the threat of frost has passed. The catnip plant can grow in USDA hardiness zones three through nine, and thrives in full sun—at least six hours a day—and well-draining soil. Keep in mind that catnip is an invasive species that grows rapidly and can quickly overtake an ornamental or vegetable garden. You can also container-grow catnip inside in the fall near to a sunlit window and replant it outside in the spring.

The harvesting season for catnip is late spring to early fall if you plant your catnip in the early spring. Wait to harvest your catnip until after your plant blooms because flowering catnip plants have stronger and more aromatic leaves. When your plant is six inches or taller, it’s ready to harvest. Harvest the full stems of your catnip once the morning dew has passed to give your catnip a head-start in the drying process.

When you grow catnip outdoors, it’s best to start in early spring after the last frost has passed. They can be grown from seeds or from seedlings. Here is a step-by-step guide to growing catnip at home from catnip seeds.

1. 1. Weaken your seeds. Catnip seeds have a tough outer coating that needs to be damaged slightly before planting to increase the probability that they germinate. Freeze your catnip seeds overnight, then soak them in a bowl of water for 24 hours to help facilitate germination. Drain your seeds after that, and they will be ready to plant.
2. 2. Prepare your planting spot. Catnip grows well in most soils but will thrive especially in sandy, loose soil. Choose a location in your garden with plenty of sun, because your plants should get about six hours of sun a day. If you live in a climate that is particularly hot and dry most of the year, pick a spot that also gets partial shade. Before you plant, loosen your soil so that it’s not too dense or compact.
3. 3. Sow your seeds. Plant your seeds around an eighth to a quarter of an inch below the soil in your garden bed or individual containers. Space your seeds around 15 to 20 inches apart if you’re growing multiple plants.
4. 4. Water thoroughly in the germination process. Catnip needs to stay adequately moist throughout the germination process, so you should water thoroughly in the first two weeks after planting your seeds. They will likely start sprouting in about two weeks. Once your plant grows a few leaves, you can water less frequently and let the soil dry out between waterings.
5. 5. Deadhead your flowers. Once your plant is growing, you want to pluck the flowering stems to make way for usable leaves. Pinching off the flower heads before they have a chance to go to seed will also prevent the flower from running rampant in your garden.
6. 6. Prune your catnip. After the first bloom, you’ll need to snip back your catnip plant to about three to five inches, taking care to leave at least one-third of the plant behind. Proper pruning can prevent pests from hiding out in your plant.
7. 7. Check for pests. Catnip is prone to spider mites, whiteflies, thrips, and flea beetles. Pruning can help keep these pests at bay, as well as beneficial insects (like ladybugs) or insecticidal soap.

Both the leaves and flowers of this herbaceous perennial are harvestable. Here is an overview of how to harvest and store catnip.

1. 1. Pick your catnip. Cut a series of stalks away from the base of your plant, or cut the entire plant above the base using a sharp tool. You can pluck individual catnip leaves and flowers but the stems will grow back more quickly.
2. 2. Air-dry your catnip. If you harvested a whole bouquet of catnip, you can tie the stems together and hang the plant upside down in a cool, dry location. If you only harvested a couple of stalks, pluck the leaves and flowers from each and let them air-dry on a tray by a sunny windowsill for two to three days. Make sure to keep the leaves away from any cats who will be attracted to the scent.
3. 3. Store. Store your dried leaves and flowers in a sealed container or bag and keep them in a cool, dark place.

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