(Nepeta cataria ‘Catnip')
Catnip is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia but can be commonly found growing in open woodlands and fields, and along roadsides throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of 12-18” and features grayish square stems, 3” oval-shaped, aromatic green leaves, and clusters of small spikes of pale lavender or white two-lipped ¼” flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts bees and birds, repels ants, aphids, flea beetles, mice, and squash bugs, tolerates drought and frost, makes potpourri, is both edible and medicinal and self-sows!
Genus: Nepeta
Species: cataria
Variety: Catnip
Native to: Afghanistan, Albania, Altay, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, Central European Rus, China North-Central, China South-Central, Corse, East European Russia, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Nepal, North Caucasus, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Sicilia, South European Russi, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Xinjiang, Yugoslavia.
Introduced into: Alabama, Alaska, Alberta, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arizona, Arkansas, Austria, Azores, Belgium, British Columbia, California, Colombia, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Delaware, Denmark, District of Columbia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Khabarovsk, Louisiana, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Netherlands, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Norway, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Poland, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Saskatchewan, South Carolina, South Dakota, Sweden, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): May to September
Ease of Growing: Moderate
Hardiness: Hardy. Catnip is very hardy and can withstand hard frost.
Crops: Spring Transplant.
Growing Season: Short, Long
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm. Catnip prefers moderate water, but is drought tolerant once established.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 55°F - 85°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 60°F. There's no advantage to starting your seeds in cold soil, so wait until it's warmed up a little, to at least 60˚ F.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: No
Light: Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm). Catnip prefers full sun, but can tolerate partial shade, as well.
Water: Dry to medium. Catnip prefers moderate water, but is drought tolerant once established.
Feeder: Light. These plants grow best in rich soil, but almost any soil will do.
Suitability: Drought tolerant, Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost
Small Gardens?: Yes
Containers?: Yes. Catnip grows very well in a container if drainage is adequate. Make sure the plant doesn't get root bound, so plan for large growth, or thin every fall.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes
Maintenance: Low
Height: 36-48”
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Zone: 3-9
Produces: grayish square stems, 3” oval shaped, aromatic green leaves, and clusters of small spikes of pale lavender or white two-lipped ¼” flowers.
Garden Uses: Borders, path edging, cottage gardens or herb gardens. Good for dry areas. Containers. Grow as an ornamental, for herbal use and/or for your cat.
Soil temp for germination: 55°F to 85°F, optimal 65°F to 75°F, optimal 70°F
Total weeks to grow transplant: (Spring/Summer), (Fall/Winter)
Germinate:
When: Start 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date.
How: Scatter the seeds in containers, and lightly cover with soil (1/4") or standard mix. Mist to moisten the soil without washing the seeds away. Keep the soil moist until seeds germinate.
How: Plant around some kind of barrier, at least a foot deep, or in a container. Dig a hole 4 to 6" deep (depending on the container size). Gently squeeze the sides of the container to release the soil. Remove the plant and soil from the container and place into hole. Surround with additional soil, but don't bury the base of the plant. Give a good watering. You may need to protect it from cats.
Cold, Cool, Warm: Catnip prefers moderate water, but is drought tolerant once established.
When outdoor temp: 55°F to 85°F, optimal temp 65°F to 75°F
When min soil temp: 60°F. There's no advantage to starting your seeds in cold soil, so wait until it's warmed up a little, to at least 60˚ F.
Spacing: 10"-14", 1 plants per sq ft. Space Catnip 10 to 14" apart in beds.
Harvest whenever you feel the leaves are a usable size for your needs, up until it flowers.
When and How:
Flower:
When: Gather the flowering tops in late summer.
How: Dry in the shade. Store away from moisture.
Cut & Come Again:
Catnip can be harvested, but only if the plant is large enough. You should harvest carefully in the first year, as you don't want to damage the plant. Never harvest more than 1/3 of the plant.
Leaves:
When: Harvest before the plant flowers for optimal fragrance.
How: Cut the stem 2" from the base.
Seed Viability in Years: 2-4 years
Germination Percentage: 40%
Companion Planting
Problems
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