Catnip Germination Information
How to Sow Catnip: - Best sown indoors at a temperature of 68-72° with NO cover as light aids in germination
- Expect germination in 10-15 days
- Seeds can also be sown outdoors when the soil is warm and after frost in the spring
- Outdoors, sow with barely any cover. The seeds are very small
How to Grow Catnip: Transplanting: If sown indoors, transplant outdoors when there are at least two sets of true leaves
Spacing: Space 6-15 inches apart
Lighting: Site in full sun(North) to partial shade (South)
Soil: Site in any well-drained garden soil. Very tolerant of poor and sandy soils
Temperature: Very tolerant of heat and humidity
Additional Care: To promote compact growth, prevent plants from reseeding, and to stimulate a second flush of flowers, sheer the spent flowers back to the first set of leaves
Appearance and Use:
Grown for it’s aromatic, softly hairy, silver-gray foliage that is a stimulant for cats and a repellent of pests. It makes a good companion plant in vegetable gardens as it repels cabbage pests, aphids, flea beetles, cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and ants. Plants grow 3 feet tall by 2 feet wide and are covered in loose racemes of tiny, blue flowers through the summer. The leaves are brewed into a tea that is calming to humans. Harvest the leaves at any time
About Catnip: Botanical name: Nepeta cataria
Pronunciation: ne-pe’tå kat’är-e-å
Lifecycle: Perennial
Origination: Lamiaceae; native to Eurasia
