Pull new shoots when you see them, and don’t place too much soil on top of the container when you’re burying it. These plants are also drought and heat resistant, making them great for dry, arid areas. Let your leaves sit out on a paper towel beneath a sunlit windowsill for two or three days. The effect occurs when the leaves are eaten or when the plant's fragrance is inhaled by cats. Nepeta cataria is a short-lived perennial, herbaceous plant that grows to be 50–100 cm (20–40 in) tall and wide, which blooms from late spring through autumn. Plant in full sun or partial shade and use average, well draining soil. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Alternatively, you can grow it indoors away from a sunlit window if you have access to high output fluorescent plant grow lights. Nepeta × subsessilis bears the largest flower clusters of any catmint. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 336,332 times. This article has been viewed 336,332 times. Will catnip spread and take over my garden like mint? Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. In contrast with other catnips, this one produces bunches of purple flowers. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. To grow catnip, start by scattering the seeds in small pots and keeping the pots in a sunny spot. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. For example, tea made from the leaves and flowers of Nepeta cataria is said to relieve coug… Cats find the scent of the stuff alluring and irresistible. Catnip Nepeta cataria. Since it’s a member of the mint family, it’s easy to grow, is a perennial grower, and thrives in a wide range of North American hardiness zones. It really depends on what you're looking to do with it. I have plenty of room. While you've probably heard that catnip makes cats tipsy, you might not know that this effect is an inherited trait and it does not affect all cats. You can! Can I cut a catnip plant back and put the stems in water to root them? Plant catnip in soil that registers a minimum of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. catnip is perennial so hopefully we’ll have catnip in years to come! Nepetalactone, the oil in catnip that gives the plant its minty scent, is about ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET. Late morning is a good time to harvest after the dew has dried but before the day heats up. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. Kathleen Miller is a Master Gardener and Horticulturist with over 30 years experience in gardening and sustainable farming. Placing the plants in containers beneath the soil will help confine and control their roots, preventing them from wandering throughout your garden. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Fewer cats are attracted to ornamental types. Growing Catnip does very well in containers, raised beds, or borders in full sun to partial shade. These steps help minimize the loss of the oil, which is the stuff that makes your cat go wild. Keep seedlings well protected from cats! Place your plant within three feet of that sunlit window. Pick dry leaves after morning dew has evaporated and never cut more than half of the plant during growing season. In fact, it’s considered invasive in certain areas, so check guidelines for your region before planting in your garden. The main challenge to growing it is protecting it from cats. Catnip is an herb famous for its euphoric effect on cats. Catnip will grow in just about any soil, but sandier soil tends to yield more aromatic plants. Like other catmints, it has a long season of bloom. Catnip (Nepeta cararia) is a perennial member of the mint family that is interesting and attractive to cats. Deadheading spent blooms promotes additional flowering. Clusters of white or pale lavender flowers grow at the ends of the branches. Can I give catnip to my cat fresh, or do I have to dry it first? You "deadhead" (snip off) flowers and pinch back leaves to promote fuller, sturdier growth. Self-sows like mad. If sowing seeds in the fall, grow them by a sunlit window, preferably one that will receive at least six hours of sun daily. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This article was co-authored by Katie Gohmann. Starting Sow on the soil surface or barely covered with perlite. Insect Repellent. How to Proceed. Catmint blooms throughout summer and fall. If you’re worried about the catnip plants getting out of control, try growing them in containers on your porch. If the plants look tall and thin, place a fluorescent lamp above them so they can get more light and grow bushier. Water them well during their germination period, which lasts up to ten days. I have learned so much from this. Water frequently after first planting. True catnip (Nepeta cataria) This is the one you want if your main objective is to please your feline friends or if you’re growing catnip for its medicinal uses. Purchase the BEST Garden Supplies (Tips #2-5) 2. It will sprout in two to three weeks if started from seed. The best time to search for wild catnip is between July and October when the flowers are in bloom. Dividing plants can help control overgrowth, renew fading plants, or simply allow you to share a plant with a friend. Once catnip grows to 6 to 8 inches tall, harvest leaves at any time. Thin to one plant per cell, pinching out the growing tip for a bushier plant. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Catnip can be planted in your garden in spring or fall, from seed or plants. The resulting "drug trip" is a reaction to the chemical nepetalactone. If growing a plant indoors, you should place it no more than three feet away from the sunlit window. Once the plants are 5-6 inches tall, transplant them outdoors to a sunny area and leave at least 18 inches between plants. Catnip is a wonderful, underrated herb. Growing zones: Grow catnip in Zones 3 to 9. Fortunately, it's not addictive or harmful to cats, according to many veterinary sources. For tips from our Horticulture reviewer on how to use or store your catnip, read on! ", the deck. To grow catnip, start by scattering the seeds in small pots and keeping the pots in a sunny spot. Plus it is a perennial but in my experience not a long-lived one. the plants grow about 3 feet tall and should be placed about 18 inches apart; catnip is a deer-resistant plant (a very good thing for here!) Look for jagged, heart-shaped leaves and thick stems that are both covered in fuzzy hairs. The branching square stems and toothed, heart-shaped leaves are covered with downy gray hairs, giving the whole plant a grayish-green appearance. Using a clean pruning shear, cut just below the last node you find while measuring the cutting. The leaves can be used to make cat toys, tea or seasoning. Catnip plants should be planted 18 to 20 inches (45.5. to 51 cm.) I mix it up in the straw in their bins as a flea deterrent, but that's become too expensive.". Catnip are not very fussy about the ground in which they grow, as long as their roots are not constantly sitting in water. As ground cover: Catnip grows to about 3 to 4 feet or so. Growing Catmint: Plant catnip seeds near vegetables to repel insects such as aphids,or plant them as a hedge. Cutting the plants completely down after the first bloom set will allow enough time for it to completely regrow and bloom again. Seeds should sprout in 10-20 days. To avoid damage from unwelcome neighborhood cats, consider protecting your catnip with some type of enclosure. Catnip grows best outdoors, but can be grown indoors if you place it by a window that gets at least six hours of full sun per day. Yes, and the cats it may attract would be a deterrent to rabbits and other animals that may otherwise eat your vegetables. If the soil feels moist or wet, don’t water the plant and check it later that day or the next day. When you’re ready to harvest, choose a dry day and remove only flowering catnip. Harvest catnip upon flowering, on a dry, sunny day. Growing Catnip in a pot inside of another, buried pot makes removal easier when you take the Catnip plants inside. Some species of Nepeta are considered invasive plants. Catmint can also be planted in pots for the enjoyment of your furry felines! After drying my catnip, can I give my cats some to munch on? Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. For tips from our Horticulture reviewer on how to use or store your catnip, read on! Soil, Planting, and Care Set out plants in the spring after the last frost, spacing them 18 to 24 inches apart. I didn't know it would spread. To prevent the plant from blooming, simply pinch off the top of the plant when flowers start to form. Trim it either down to the base, or cut just the joints where a leaf or leaves sprout from the stem. Catnip grows to a height of three or four feet and has featherlike, light green foliage and small clusters of lavender flowers that grow on spikes. Thin the Catnip seedlings so that the healthiest one remains in each pot after they reach 2 to 5 inches tall. It and can do the same for humans. Once you've air dried your leaves, take one to two teaspoons of dried catnip and place it in cheese cloth or any tea dispenser you might have on hand. Transplant outdoors in spring or when there is no danger of frost. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Yes, you can give your cat one or two leaves each day. I am interested in natural remedies for humans, and, "Informative. Like so many herbs, this perennial thrives in poor soil that is well-drained. The ideal length of a mature catnip cutting is around 4-6 (10-15) inches tall. Catnip may take over an area as it spreads quite easily if left to its own devices. David Beaulieu is a garden writer with nearly 20 years experience writing about landscaping and over 10 years experience working in nurseries. the local cats to my garden. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Instead, cut plant stalks a couple of inches above the soil line. It will sprout in two to three weeks if started from seed. http://www.thegardenhelper.com/catnip.html, http://herbgardening.com/growingcatnip.htm, http://naturalsociety.com/catnip-nepeta-cataria-growing-your-own-medicine/, https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-grow-catnip-plants-2132328, http://www.gardenersnet.com/herbs/catnip.htm, http://www.heirloom-organics.com/guide/va/guidetogrowingcatnip.html, http://naturalsociety.com/catnip-nepeta-cataria-growing-your-own-medicine, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Rub it on a sisal scratching post or board to encourage your cats to use that instead of your nice leather furniture. When you’re ready to harvest your catnip, trim off stalks and dry them on a paper towel next to a sunny window for 2 days. Cat nip leaves can be picked any time during the season after the plants have reached eight inches tall. An inherited trait, only some cats have nepetalactone reactions. It also has a sedative effect on humans, and is extracted as an essential oil and used in tea. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, Moderately rich loam or sandy, with good drainage, 6.1 to 7.8 (mildly acidic to mildly alkaline). Catnip grows best outdoors from the spring through fall, but you can grow it indoors year round if you have a window that gets plenty of sun. By using our site, you agree to our. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. Catnip grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and has featherlike, light green foliage and small clusters of lavender flowers that grow on spikes. During the season after the plants completely down after the plants look tall and readily! 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