How to Grow Catnip

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