How to Grow Catnip Herb Plants

About Growing Catnip in Your Herb Garden

Yes, it is true! Cats love Catnip herbs! There was a time I did not believe it myself and thought it was just a fictional joke in cartoons. However, they love to nip the leaves. They love to roll in it. And sometimes cats take a nap in a bed of Catnip plants. They just plain love it. And you will too. So, if you’ve got cats, you’re going to love growing catnip!

A member of the Mint family, Catnip is a strong-smelling, aromatic herb. It has clusters of white or purplish-blue flowers atop toothy, heart-shaped leaves. There is also an uncommon yellow variety. The leaves have a lemon-mint flavor and scent. It is fun to grow for your kitties, and as an herbal tea for you.

Catnip is a perennial with some biennial varieties. It is native to Asia and Europe. In addition to cats, bees are also fond of Catnip.

Flowers Bloom: Spring through Fall

Flower Colors: Blue, pink, white, and yellow.

Plant height: 2 to 3 feet tall.

Hardiness Zones: 3 – 9

Perennial, Biennial, Nepeta cataria

Main Uses

The most popular use of Catnip is for cats. Rubbing oil on your cats’ toys will drive them wild.

With a lemony mint flavor, Catnip is also used in cooking and especially in herbal teas.

Catnip Plant Propagation

Grow Catnip plants from seed. Sow Catnip seeds into your garden in the spring. Space seedlings or thin plants to 20″ apart.

When growing catnip, allow for plenty of space. It will overcrowd nearby plants in your herb garden, if allowed.

Final Plant Spacing: Space seedlings, or thin plants 18 to 24 inches apart, in rows 12 to 18 inches apart.

Days to Germination: 7 – 14 days.

How to Grow Catnip Herb Plants

Catnip plants are easy to grow. They thrive in the sun or partial shade. Grow these plants in average, well-drained soil. They grow well with little attention and withstand crowding. Fertilizer is not usually required, except in the poorest of soils. If grown in average soil, fertilizer is not needed.

After the plants have grown a few inches, pinch back the shoots to promote bushy growth. It will first bloom in mid-summer. After harvest, trim back the plants again. With luck, you will get three harvests in a growing season.

Catnip are aggressive growers, crowding out other plants if given the chance. Give them plenty of space away from other plants in your garden. Or, better still, surround the plants, with deep border edging.

Harvest leaves as the flowers begin to bloom. Cut off the top leaves, stems, and flowers. They can be used fresh, dried, or frozen. Spread leaves out to dry in a cool and ventilated area.

Ideal Soil pH: 5. 5 – 7.5.