Here’s how to grow catnip indoors and outdoors.
Your cat will thank you.
Learn how to grow catnip(Nepeta cataria),an easy-to-growperennial herbthat produces tiny white flowers.
Credit:Jason Donnelly
It grows outdoors or indoors but does best in warm climates with a lot of sunlight.
It retains its scent when air-dried and can be stuffed into cat toys or sachets.
Some cats may not care for it at all.
Where to Plant Catnip
Catnip thrives inwell-drained soilandneeds plenty of sunlight.
In hot climates, catnip does best with partial shade in the afternoon.
It is part of the mint family and can quickly take over your garden.
Catnip grows inUSDA zones 3 through 9.
Catnip grows quickly and can take over other areas of the garden.
Grow it in a contained area or check on it frequently.
Because it can spread quickly, it’s considered aninvasive plantin some regions of the United States.
Check with your local extension office before planting to see if it’s a problem plant in your area.
Buy a starter plant at your local nursery or grow catnip from seed.
Set a nursery-grown plant in a prepared garden bed at the same level it grew in its container.
Space multiple plants 18 to 24 inches apart, watering them lightly and regularly until they are established.
Sow seeds indoorsapproximately six weeks before the expected last frost date.
Transplant the seedlings 18 to 24 inches apart in the garden so each plant has sufficient space to grow.
A light frost won’t damage them before they germinate, but a late frost might.
Catnip grown in containers indoors can be planted or sown at any time of year.
Light
Catnip needs lots of sunlight to growapproximately six hours per day.
Indoor catnip plants grow best in a sunny window.
Soil and Water
Catnip grows well in a variety of soils, including dry androcky soil.
However, they thrive in loamy and sandy soil.
Whatever you choose, confirm the soil has good drainage.
These plants do well with little water.Only waterthe soil after it’s dried out from the previous watering.
Don’t overwater or allow the plant to sit in soggy soil.
Temperature and Humidity
The preferred growing temperature for catnip plants is 55F to 85F.
Catnip prefers a moderate climatetoo hot or too humid, and it begins to suffer.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not usually necessary for catnip.
When you first plant it,add compostto the soil for a nutrient boost.
One way to prevent this plant from spreading is to cut back new growth that sprouts from underground runners.
For bushier growth, cut back stems on young plants.
Potting and Repotting Catnip
Container-grown catnip grows best in an 8- to 10-inchcontainer that provides excellent drainage.
Terra-cotta pots are the best choice for growing catnip indoors.
Position the plant in a sunny window.
It will grow tall and leggy if it doesn’t get enough light.
If that happens, pinch back the lanky stems.
Repot the catnip annually using a fresh planting medium.
Pests and Problems
You usually don’t have to worry about pests when growing catnip.
However, it’s worth checking the leaves for spider mites occasionally.
Cats that rub themselves on young catnip plants can damage the leaves and stems.
Protect catnip plants with short bamboo sticks embedded in the ground near the plants.
How to Propagate Catnip
Catnip spreads easilytoo easily, according to some gardeners.
Classic Catnip
Nepeta catariais the classic catnip that you’ll find in every garden center.
This variety has small white flowers and self-seeds prolifically, but it is not considered invasive in many areas.
Classic catnip blooms attract bees and butterflies to a garden.
This is the variety that most cats enjoy.
In addition to its effects on cats, classic catniprepels mosquitoes.
It grows 3 feet tall.
The leaves have a lemon scent, giving this variety its name.
A single plant forms a clump that measures 2 feet by 2 feet.
Zones 39
Camphor Catnip
Nepeta cataria’Camphorata’is also known as camphor catnip.
Its foliage has a camphor andthyme scent.
Camphor catnip has white flowers with pink or purple dots.
It grows only 18 inches tall, and most cats tend to ignore it.
Zones 3-7
Frequently Asked Questions
Catnip is a perennial herb.
Catnip leaves, stems, and seeds contain an oil that includes the chemical nepetalactone.
When most cats inhale it, the oil delivers a pleasurable sensation that usually lasts about 10 minutes.
The behaviors associated with catnip will last 10-15 minutes for most cats.
Catnip plants generally live for two years or more.
These plants both belong to the same genus within the mint family.
However, catnip tends to be more potent and stimulating for cats.
While some cats do enjoy catmint, this plant is mostly grown for its appearance.
