How to Grow Catnip in the Garden and Indoors

23.09.2024 - 22:03 / savvygardening.com / Tara Nolan

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My cat has a felt taco cat toy that was scented with catnip a few years ago and she still goes squirrelly whenver I pull it out to give to her. If you have a cat that responds favorably to catnip (apparently not all do), it’s worthwhile to learn how to grow catnip. This perennial herb is incredibly easy to grow from seed and from cuttings. It’s also drought tolerant and not too fussy when it comes to nutrients. Even if you don’t have a cat, catnip is an attractive plant that can be used for its foliage and flowers in cut flower arrangements.

A member of the mint family, catnip (Nepeta cataria) originally came from Asia and Europe but is now naturalized throughout North America. Catnip contains pinene, nepetalactone, and other chemical compounds which give it its signature minty-and-medicinal scent.

Not to be confused with its cousin, catmint, catnip has clusters of tiny, pink and white flowers. Catmint has purple or pink flowers and a more compact growth habit. Also, catnip leaves are larger and not as fuzzy as those of catmint.

While we may think of growing catnip to tempt our cats, the leaves are edible for humans and add flavor to salads. The chemicals in catnip—and, to a lesser degree, catmint—can stimulate cats’ brains, but for humans, it seems to be the opposite. Some people drink catnip tea before bed because of its calming effects.

Also, if you like gardening to attract butterflies and bugs, catnip’s a great choice. The plant’s tight flower clusters draw in beneficial insects, like lacewings and honey bees, bumble bees, and other pollinators.