Project Purity Seeds
  • Store
    • Gift Certificates
    • Our Flower Seeds >
      • Alyssum, Sweet
      • Baby's Breath
      • Balsam
      • Bee Plant
      • Bergamot
      • Billy Buttons
      • Black-Eyed Susan
      • Blanket Flower
      • Blazing Star
      • Boneset
      • Burning Bush
      • Calendula
      • Camass
      • Canterbury Bells
      • Cardinal Flower
      • Castor Bean
      • Catchfly
      • Celosia
      • China Asters
      • Chinese Houses
      • Clarkia
      • Clover
      • Coleus
      • Columbine
      • Compass Plant
      • Coneflower
      • Coral Bells
      • Cornflower
      • Cosmos
      • Dahlia
      • Daisy
      • Dame's Rocket
      • Dusty Miller
      • False Goats Beard
      • Four O'Clocks
      • Foxglove
      • Gas Plant
      • Gazania
      • Gilia
      • Hibiscus
      • Hollyhock
      • Ice Plant
      • Iris
      • Irish Moss
      • Joe Pye Weed
      • Lacy Phacelia
      • Lamb's Ear
      • Larkspur
      • Lupine
      • Marigold
      • Milkweed
      • Moonwort
      • Morning Glory
      • Moss Rose
      • Nasturtiums
      • Nemophila
      • Obedient Plant
      • Pansy
      • Penstemon
      • Petunia
      • Pheasant's Eye
      • Pink Nodding Onion
      • Poached Egg Plant
      • Polka Dot Plant
      • Poppy
      • Poppy Mallow
      • Purple Rock Cress
      • Queen of the Prairie
      • Red Hot Poker
      • Rose of Heaven
      • Sedum
      • Snapdragon
      • Spider Plant
      • Spiderwort
      • Strawflower
      • Sunflower
      • Sweet Williams
      • Tobacco
      • Winged Everlasting
      • Zinnia
    • Our Fruits Seeds >
      • Strawberries
    • Our Herb Seeds >
      • Angelica
      • Anise
      • Balm: Lemon
      • Basil
      • Bee Balm
      • Borage
      • Caraway
      • Catnip
      • Chamomile
      • Chervil
      • Chia
      • Chives
      • Coriander
      • Cress
      • Cumin
      • Dill
      • Fennel
      • Fenugreek
      • Heal All
      • Hyssop
      • Lavender
      • Lemongrass
      • Lovage
      • Marjoram
      • Mint
      • Monkshood
      • Motherwort
      • Oregano
      • Peppercorn
      • Rosemary
      • Sage
      • Savory
      • Skullcap
      • Sorrel
      • St. John's Wort
      • Tarragon
      • Thyme
      • Toothache Plant
      • Valerian
      • Yarrow
    • Our Vegetable Seeds >
      • Amaranth
      • Artichoke
      • Arugula
      • Asparagus
      • Beans
      • Beets
      • Broccoli
      • Brussels Sprouts
      • Cabbage
      • Carrots
      • Cauliflower
      • Celery
      • Collards
      • Corn
      • Corn Salad
      • Cucumbers
      • Eggplant
      • Gourd
      • Ground Cherry
      • Kale
      • Kohlrabi
      • Leeks
      • Lettuce
      • Melons
      • Mustard
      • Okra
      • Onions
      • Parsley
      • Peas
      • Peppers
      • Pumpkin
      • Radish
      • Rhubarb
      • Salsify
      • Spinach
      • Squash
      • Swiss Chard
      • Tomatillo
      • Tomato
      • Turnips
  • Point System
  • Get More, Here's How
  • Contact Us

(Nepeta cataria ‘Catnip')

SKU:
$1.00
1 2 $1.00 - $2.00
$1.00
Unavailable
per item

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 the 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! 

  • Facebook
Add to Cart
  • General Information
  • Seedlings
  • Germination
  • Harvesting
  • Seed Saving
  • Culinary
  • Medicinal
  • Companion Planting
  • Other Uses
<
>
​Family: Lamiaceae

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.
Seed Sowing Depth: 0.125" to 0.25". Sow on surface, tamp securely, and keep evenly moist until germination.

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.
When: There's no advantage to starting early. Wait until all danger of frost has passed to plant your starts outdoors.

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.
Ripening:
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.
After the blooms become dry and turn brown, cut them off. Crush the flower heads in a bag over a bowl, letting the seeds fall into the bowl. Spread seeds out to dry for a few days at room temperature before storing in a seed packet (or small envelope).

Seed Viability in Years: 2-4 years
Germination Percentage: 40%
Young leaves: raw. A mint-like flavor, they make an aromatic flavoring in salads. Older leaves are used as a flavoring in cooked foods. They can be used fresh or dried to make an aromatic herb tea. The tea should be infused in a closed container in order to preserve the essential oils, boiling is said to spoil it.
Catnip has a long history of use as a household herbal remedy, being employed especially in treating disorders of the digestive system and, as it stimulates sweating, it is useful in reducing fevers. The herbs pleasant taste and gentle action makes it suitable for treating colds, flu and fevers in children. It is more effective when used in conjunction with elder flower (Sambucus nigra). The leaves and flowering tops are strongly antispasmodic, antitussive, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, slightly emmenagogue, refrigerant, sedative, slightly stimulant, stomachic and tonic. The flowering stems are harvested in August when the plant is in full flower, they are dried and stored for use as required. An infusion produces free perspiration, it is considered to be beneficial in the treatment of fevers and colds. It is also very useful in the treatment of restlessness and nervousness, being very useful as a mild nervine for children. A tea made from the leaves can also be used. The infusion is also applied externally to bruises, especially black eyes.
Source

Companion Planting

Using catnip as a companion in the vegetable garden can help protect the plants from insect damage without having to resort to dangerous chemicals. Some plants to grow with catnip include: Collards, Beets, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Squash, Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Potatoes.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.
The plant is said to deter insects such as ants and flea beetles as well as rats and mice. (The idea behind it being a rat repellent is probably based on the plants attraction to cats, see notes above.) A strong infusion can be used to repel fleas from carpets or the fur of animals. An extract from the leaves (called nepetalactone) has herbicidal and insect repellent properties. The freshly harvested flowering tops contain 0.3 - 1% essential oil by distillation. It is mainly used for medicinal purposes. The dried leaves retain their fragrance and can be used in potpourri.

Suggested Varieties

(Beta vulgaris 'Cylindra')

$1.00 - $2.00

Cylindra Beet is a heirloom, semi-hardy cool weather annual/biennial vegetable native to Denmark believed to be developed in 1888. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12” and features a 6-7" long, dark red, carrot-shaped beets with red-veined tops. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is horse and rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!

Shop

(Beta vulgaris 'Detroit Dark Red')

$1.00 - $2.00

Detroit Dark Red Beet is a heirloom, semi-hardy cool weather annual/biennial vegetable that is native to Canada, where it was developed by a Mr. Reeves in Ontario and introduced by D.M. Ferry & Company in 1892. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features a 3" uniformly dark red, round beets with red stemmed, dark green tops. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is horse and rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!

Shop

(Beta vulgaris 'Golden Detroit')

$1.00 - $2.00

Golden Detroit Beet is a heirloom, semi-hardy cool weather annual/biennial vegetable that is native to Europe and western Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 9-12” and features a 1-3” oval shaped orange-yellow roots with Light green tops. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is horse and rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is both edible and medicinal!

Shop

(Brassica oleracea 'Calabrese Green Sprouting')

$1.00 - $2.00

Calabrese Green Sprouting Broccoli is an Italian heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but brought to America by the D'Arrigo brothers between 1904-11, and first offered to the public in 1923. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 30-36” and features erect stalks, 6” bluish-green centered floret, multiple side shoots, and yellow flowers. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is edible.

Shop

(Brassica oleracea 'Purple Sprouting')

$1.00 - $2.00

Purple Sprouting Broccoli is an Italian heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but was introduced to the United States not long after they were listed in the French Vilmorin-Andrieux seed catalog in 1885. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-36” and features thin stem, side shoots of loose clusters of 3-5” purple florets, and bladed leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates frost, and is edible.

Shop

(Brassica oleracea 'Romanesco')

$1.00 - $2.00

Romanesco Broccoli is an Italian heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region, but was introduced into the United States in 1890. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-36” and features blue green leaves and a 5-6” apple-green central broccoli head that is composed of smaller florets that whorl and range in size. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates frost, and is edible.

Shop

(Brassica oleracea 'Waltham 29')

$1.00 - $2.00

Sold out

Waltham 29 Broccoli is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Waltham, MA., where it was developed by the University of Massachusetts in 1950. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 18-24” and features a 4-6” blue-green central broccoli head, and side shoots that bare 1” florets. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates frost, and is edible.

Shop

(Brassica oleracea 'Snowball Y Improved')

$1.00 - $2.00

Only a few left!

Snowball Y Improved Cauliflower is a heirloom, semi hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to California, where it was developed and introduced by Ferry-Morse Seed Company in Mountain View in 1947. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 12-18” and features 7” white heads with smooth curds. This plant can be grown in a container, attracts earwigs, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and make alcohol, and is both edible and medicinal.

Shop

(Brassica oleracea 'Vates')

$1.00 - $2.00

Vates Collards is a heirloom, hardy, cool weather annual vegetable that is native to Virginia, where it was developed by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station in 1950. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features non-heading, slow-bolting dark green, thick textured leaves. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates light frost, and is edible.

Shop

(Solanum melongena 'Black Beauty')

$1.00 - $2.00

Black Beauty Eggplant is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but was introduced into the United States by Burpee Seed Company in 1902. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features 8” pear shaped, dark purple eggplant. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal! 

Shop

(Solanum Melongena 'Golden Egg')

$1.00 - $2.00

Golden Egg Eggplant is a very tender, warm weather annual ornamental vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but can be found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24” and features nearly two dozen 3-4" egg-shaped fruits that turn from white to golden. This ornamental plant can be grown in a container and tolerates drought!!

Shop

(Solanum melongena 'Long Purple')

$1.00 - $2.00

Long Purple Eggplant is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather annual vegetable that is native to south eastern Asia, but can be commonly found growing in gardens throughout the United States. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 24-36” and features 9” cylindrical, smooth, dark purple eggplants. This plant can be grown in a container, is rabbit safe, tolerates drought, and is both edible and medicinal!

Shop
1 2 3

    Sign Up for our Newsletter

Subscribe

    Contact Us

Submit
  • Store
    • Gift Certificates
    • Our Flower Seeds >
      • Alyssum, Sweet
      • Baby's Breath
      • Balsam
      • Bee Plant
      • Bergamot
      • Billy Buttons
      • Black-Eyed Susan
      • Blanket Flower
      • Blazing Star
      • Boneset
      • Burning Bush
      • Calendula
      • Camass
      • Canterbury Bells
      • Cardinal Flower
      • Castor Bean
      • Catchfly
      • Celosia
      • China Asters
      • Chinese Houses
      • Clarkia
      • Clover
      • Coleus
      • Columbine
      • Compass Plant
      • Coneflower
      • Coral Bells
      • Cornflower
      • Cosmos
      • Dahlia
      • Daisy
      • Dame's Rocket
      • Dusty Miller
      • False Goats Beard
      • Four O'Clocks
      • Foxglove
      • Gas Plant
      • Gazania
      • Gilia
      • Hibiscus
      • Hollyhock
      • Ice Plant
      • Iris
      • Irish Moss
      • Joe Pye Weed
      • Lacy Phacelia
      • Lamb's Ear
      • Larkspur
      • Lupine
      • Marigold
      • Milkweed
      • Moonwort
      • Morning Glory
      • Moss Rose
      • Nasturtiums
      • Nemophila
      • Obedient Plant
      • Pansy
      • Penstemon
      • Petunia
      • Pheasant's Eye
      • Pink Nodding Onion
      • Poached Egg Plant
      • Polka Dot Plant
      • Poppy
      • Poppy Mallow
      • Purple Rock Cress
      • Queen of the Prairie
      • Red Hot Poker
      • Rose of Heaven
      • Sedum
      • Snapdragon
      • Spider Plant
      • Spiderwort
      • Strawflower
      • Sunflower
      • Sweet Williams
      • Tobacco
      • Winged Everlasting
      • Zinnia
    • Our Fruits Seeds >
      • Strawberries
    • Our Herb Seeds >
      • Angelica
      • Anise
      • Balm: Lemon
      • Basil
      • Bee Balm
      • Borage
      • Caraway
      • Catnip
      • Chamomile
      • Chervil
      • Chia
      • Chives
      • Coriander
      • Cress
      • Cumin
      • Dill
      • Fennel
      • Fenugreek
      • Heal All
      • Hyssop
      • Lavender
      • Lemongrass
      • Lovage
      • Marjoram
      • Mint
      • Monkshood
      • Motherwort
      • Oregano
      • Peppercorn
      • Rosemary
      • Sage
      • Savory
      • Skullcap
      • Sorrel
      • St. John's Wort
      • Tarragon
      • Thyme
      • Toothache Plant
      • Valerian
      • Yarrow
    • Our Vegetable Seeds >
      • Amaranth
      • Artichoke
      • Arugula
      • Asparagus
      • Beans
      • Beets
      • Broccoli
      • Brussels Sprouts
      • Cabbage
      • Carrots
      • Cauliflower
      • Celery
      • Collards
      • Corn
      • Corn Salad
      • Cucumbers
      • Eggplant
      • Gourd
      • Ground Cherry
      • Kale
      • Kohlrabi
      • Leeks
      • Lettuce
      • Melons
      • Mustard
      • Okra
      • Onions
      • Parsley
      • Peas
      • Peppers
      • Pumpkin
      • Radish
      • Rhubarb
      • Salsify
      • Spinach
      • Squash
      • Swiss Chard
      • Tomatillo
      • Tomato
      • Turnips
  • Point System
  • Get More, Here's How
  • Contact Us