Here ’s how to grow catnip indoors and out of doors . Your cat will thank you .
Learn how to grow catnip(Nepeta cataria),an easy - to - growperennial herbthat give rise tiny white-hot flowers . It grow outdoors or indoors but does estimable in warm mood with a flock of sunshine . Gardeners usually get it as a treat for cats that are attract to its scent and wish to undulate in it . It retains its scent when air - dry out and can be stuffed into cat toys or sachets .
Although most cats love catnip , the ASPCA reports that it can be toxic for some khat . Each cat reacts differently to catnip ; some may be stimulated by it , and others may sense sedated . Some cats may not care for it at all .
Credit:Jason Donnelly
Where to Plant Catnip
Catnip expand inwell - drain soilandneeds plenty of sunlight . In hot climates , catnip does best with fond nuance in the good afternoon . you’re able to plant catnip right away into the ground orin a raised bed , but ensure to provide some constraint on this plant . It is part of the mint home and can speedily take over your garden . Catnip arise inUSDA zone 3 through 9 .
Catnip grows quickly and can take over other areas of the garden . Grow it in a bear area or check on it frequently . Because it can spread cursorily , it ’s considered aninvasive plantin some region of the United States . Check with your local telephone extension office before constitute to see if it ’s a problem plant in your area .
When and How to Grow Catnip
The ideal clip to imbed catmint is in the springafter the last frostin your region . Buy a starter plant life at your local nursery or grow catnip from seed .
Set a baby’s room - grown plant in a disposed garden bed at the same level it rise in its container . Space multiple plant 18 to 24 inch apart , water them lightly and on a regular basis until they are established .
Sow seeds indoorsapproximately six calendar week before the expect last hoarfrost date . Transplant the seedling 18 to 24 inches apart in the garden so each plant has sufficient place to uprise . you may also sow in the seminal fluid right away in a prepared garden bed when the weather condition starts to warm up and insure them thinly with filth . A lightsome hoar wo n’t damage them before they bourgeon , but a late freeze might .
Catnip grown in container indoors can be planted or sown at any time of year .
Jason Donnelly
Catnip Care Tips
A hardy herbaceous plant , catnip is easy to grow outdoors and indoors as long as their canonic needs are met .
Light
Catnip needs lots of sunlight to grow — more or less six hours per day . It can have a unmanageable time in extreme heat ; gardener who live in a red-hot climate should engraft catnip in an domain thatreceives some shade in the afternoon . Indoor catnip plants grow well in a sunny window .
Soil and Water
Catnip grow well in a diversity of grease , let in juiceless androcky soil . However , they thrive in loamy and sandlike soil . Whatever you choose , verify the soil has good drainage . These works do well with little body of water . Only waterthe filth after it ’s dried out from the previous watering . Do n’t overwater or earmark the plant life to sit in soggy soil .
Temperature and Humidity
The preferred grow temperature for catnip flora is 55 ° F to 85 ° farad . Catnip favor a moderate mood — too blistering or too humid , and it begins to hurt . If you live in a gamy - humidity arena and want to develop catnip , secure air circulation is important to slenderize the chance of fungous growth .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not usually necessary for catnip . When you first plant it , add compostto the soil for a alimental boost .
Pruning
Pruning is a undecomposed ideato keep catnip from spreading throughout the garden and hindering the ontogeny of other plants . One way to forestall this plant from distribute is to make out back young outgrowth that sprouts from surreptitious runners . For bushier growth , cut back stems on young plants .
Potting and Repotting Catnip
Container - grown catmint grow effective in an 8- to 10 - inchcontainer that provides excellent drainage . Terra - cotta pots are the best choice for grow catnip indoors . Also , some perlite should be added to high - quality potting dirt to improve drainage , and only water when the soil surface is dry .
lay the plant in a sunny windowpane . Give the pot a quarter turn each workweek so all side of meat are exposed to sunlight to advance the good growth . It will grow tall and leggy if it does n’t get enough light . If that happens , pinch back the gangling stems . Repot the catmint p.a. using a sassy planting mass medium .
Pests and Problems
You usually do n’t have to interest about pest when growing catmint . However , it ’s deserving checking the farewell for wanderer hint occasionally . Never get catnip sit in piss , as this can contribute to root rot and make the plant to die .
Cats that scratch themselves on new catmint plants can damage the leave and stems . Protect catnip plant with brusque bamboo sticks embedded in the priming near the plants .
How to Propagate Catnip
Catnip spreads well — too easily , according to some gardeners . However , if you want to propagate it , use stem turn cuttings :
Types of Catnip
Several varieties of catnip are useable . Classic catnip(Nepeta cataria)and its close cousins are similar works that attract the aid of feline pets to varying grade .
Classic Catnip
Nepeta catariais the classical catnip that you ’ll find in every garden center field . This miscellanea has belittled white flush and self - seeds prolifically , but it is not consider invasive in many orbit . Classic catnip bloom of youth attract bees and butterflies to a garden . This is the variety that most cats enjoy . In addition to its personal effects on cats , Graeco-Roman catniprepels mosquitoes . It grows 3 foot tall . zona 3–9
Lemon-Scented Catnip
Lemon - sweet catnip ( Nepeta cataria’Citriodora')has strikingpurple bloomsand reflowers after the spend blooms are removed . The parting have a lemon yellow scent , cave in this potpourri its name . It is n’t as attractive to cats as definitive catnip , but the attractive plant is an first-class addition to a mixed delimitation . A unmarried works take shape a clump that measures 2 feet by 2 feet . Zones 3–9
Camphor Catnip
Nepeta cataria’Camphorata’is also known as camphor catnip . Its foliation has a camphor andthyme olfactory property . Camphor catnip has white flowers with pink or purple Department of Transportation . It grows only 18 inches tall , and most cats tend to ignore it . Zones 3 - 7
Frequently Asked Questions
Catnip is a perennial herb . This means it will grow yr after yr as long as you give it the care it needs and mickle of space to grow .
catmint leaves , stem , and seeds contain an oil color that includes the chemical nepetalactone . When most cats inhale it , the oil delivers a pleasurable sensation that commonly live about 10 bit .
The behaviour associated with Nepeta cataria will last 10 - 15 minutes for most quat . Once Nepeta cataria has worn off , it may take around 30 minute to an hour for your computed tomography to be able to feel the event of catnip again .
Catnip plant generally live for two years or more . Meanwhile , dry out catnip can be put in in a cool , benighted area for 6 - 12 month before it starts to lose its military strength .
These plants both belong to the same genus within the mint fellowship . However , catnip tends to be more potent and stimulating for cat . While some cats do revel catmint , this plant is mostly grown for its visual aspect .
Catnip . ASPCA
