Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family, known for its stimulating effect on felines. Native to Europe and Asia, it has naturalized across much of North America. Catnip is a robust and forgiving plant, making it an excellent, low-maintenance choice for beginner gardeners seeking a supply for pets or herbal use.
Getting Started: Optimal Location and Planting Methods
Gardeners can start catnip using seeds, cuttings, or established nursery plants. Starting from seed is the slowest approach, as Nepeta cataria seeds often require cold stratification—exposing them to cold, moist conditions for several weeks. Seeds should be planted indoors four to six weeks prior to the last expected frost date.
A faster and more reliable option is rooting stem cuttings from a mature plant in moist soil or water. Cuttings establish quicker than seeds and retain the parent plant’s characteristics. Alternatively, purchasing established plants from a garden center provides an immediate start.
Selecting the proper location is paramount for the plant’s long-term health. Catnip thrives in full sun to partial afternoon shade. While it tolerates various soil types, the plant performs best in well-drained soil that prevents root saturation.
The soil should be of average fertility; heavy enrichment is unnecessary and can encourage overly rapid, weak growth. Proper spacing should be considered, as even a single plant can quickly expand and require significant space in the garden bed.
Ongoing Care and Managing Catnip’s Spread
Once established, catnip care requirements are minimal. Young plants need consistent moisture until their root systems develop, but mature catnip tolerates drought conditions. Overwatering is a greater risk than under-watering, as excessively wet soil can lead to root rot and fungal issues.
Managing the plant’s aggressive growth habit is the most significant aspect of ongoing care. Like its mint relatives, catnip spreads both by rhizomes (underground stems) and by prolific self-seeding. Gardeners must proactively implement containment strategies.
Planting catnip in large containers is the most effective method for restricting spread, as the pot prevents rhizomes from moving laterally. If planting directly into the ground, bury a physical barrier, such as plastic edging or a metal ring, at least a foot deep around the planting area. This strategy keeps the roots contained.
Controlling the reproductive cycle is accomplished through consistent deadheading or pruning, which involves removing the spent flower spikes. Allowing the small white or lavender flowers to mature results in a cascade of seeds that germinate easily. Shearing the plant back by about one-third after the first flush of blooms encourages bushier growth and a second wave of foliage production.
This regular trimming maintains the plant’s shape and directs the plant’s energy toward producing more fragrant leaves, which contain the compound nepetalactone. Removing the tops before they set seed ensures the gardener controls where new plants emerge.
Harvesting, Drying, and Preparing Catnip for Use
To maximize the potency of the herb, timing the harvest to coincide with the peak concentration of its active chemical, nepetalactone, is important. The ideal moment to harvest catnip is just before the plant’s flowers fully open, typically in the late morning after the dew has dried. At this stage, the plant has channeled its resources into the aromatic oils within the leaves and flowering tops.
Harvesting involves cutting the stems back by about one-third of their length, ensuring enough foliage remains on the plant to support regrowth. The entire stem, including the leaves and flowers, can be used, as the nepetalactone is present throughout the aerial parts of the plant. Multiple harvests are possible throughout the growing season, especially with consistent pruning.
Proper drying preserves the volatile oils and prevents the growth of mold or mildew. The harvested stems should be tied into small bundles and hung upside down in a location that is dark, dry, and has good air circulation. Direct sunlight or excessive heat will degrade the nepetalactone, reducing the final product’s effectiveness.
The drying process typically takes one to two weeks, depending on the humidity of the environment, until the leaves are crumbly to the touch. Once completely dry, the leaves and flowers should be stripped from the stems and stored immediately in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, away from light and heat. This careful storage prevents the degradation of the aromatic compounds responsible for the herb’s effect. Before offering the catnip to pets, the dried material should be crushed or chopped to release the stored nepetalactone oils. This simple preparation step increases the herb’s aroma and makes the material more appealing and effective for feline enjoyment.