Catnip

Catnip Care

Nepeta cataria

What is the plant

An easy-to-grow, low-maintenance herb that will delight you and your furry friends. Its aromatic properties will bring a permanent peppermint scent to your house.

Named after the excitement and euphoria it provokes in cats, Catnip is an aromatic herb native to Europe and Central Asia, where it sprouts naturally in the wild. A surprisingly resistant, versatile, and low-maintenance herb, it has several benefits for felines and uses in the kitchen.

Its leaves are covered in small whitish hairs, producing flowers that can go from purple to white and are delicately dotted in red. Its leaves exude a scent and taste similar to mint and peppermint.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

4°C - 17°C

Hardiness zone

3a - 7b

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Keep the soil moist during the first months and after those first months, reduce watering to only when the soil appears dry. Excess water can damage this plant so try not to soak it.
Pruning
Keep in mind that Catnip can reach up to 40 inches (1 m) high, so prune according to desired aesthetics.
Fertilizer
There are no specific requirements for fertilizing Catnip, but it can be done with a water-soluble fertilizer. During fall and winter, cease the process, as this plant won’t absorb the nutrients, leading to unnecessary waste.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Catnip requires at least a few hours a day of direct sunlight for optimal development but can survive in less luminous environments.
Soil
This plant can endure any type of soil as long as well-drained, but a sandy and the fertile substrate is ideal.
Propagation
It can be propagated through seeds and by stem. This plant produces small seeds that a very light layer of soil must only cover to sprout properly.

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Temperature
Its optimal temperature ranges between 39-70 ºF (4-21 ºC), but it can endure both higher and lower temperatures.
Container
Catnip doesn’t require any type of specific container as long as it has drainage holes.
Fun fact
Besides its effects on cats, it has been used in kitchens both for tea and seasoning since the Roman Empire.