Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Growing catnip from seed
• Part 2 of 3: Planting young seedlings
• Part 3 of 3: Maintaining and harvesting catnip

Catnip is an herb notorious for the euphoric effect it has on cats. It also has an anesthetic effect on humans, an essential oil is extracted from it, and it is used as a tea. Medicinally it is used against headaches, nausea and anxiety and sleep disorders. The fragrant flowers also attract bees and other pollinating insects, making this plant great for the environment. As a member of the mint family, the plant is easy to grow, is a perennial and thrives in a variety of climatic zones.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Growing catnip from seed

1. Buy catnip seeds. Hardware stores and garden centers often offer catnip seeds as well as young plants. Your local pet store can also sell seeds and plants.
   • If you want to save money, or if you know someone who already grows catnip, you can ask him or her if you can have a plant or a few seeds.
2. Plant the seeds directly in the garden in the spring. Catnip seeds can only be sown outside in the spring. If you plant the seeds directly outside, sow them when there is no risk of frost. Bury the seeds 3mm below the soil surface, leaving at least 40cm of space between them.
   • Give them plenty of water during germination, which can take up to ten days.
   • After this period you should see the first seedlings appear.
3. Sow seeds indoors in the spring or fall. If you sow seeds indoors, you can do this in the spring or in the fall. Plant them in individual pots or in a seed tray. Make sure they get plenty of sunlight or they will get leggy. If you cannot provide enough sunlight, place a fluorescent lamp above it. Water them while they sprout. If you sow in the spring, you should wait until the plants are 10-13 cm high before transplanting them outside (once there is no more risk of frost).
   • If you sow in the fall, grow them near a sunny window, preferably one that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Transplant outdoors in spring or when there is no longer any risk of frost.
   • Seeds sown in the fall tend to produce denser, bushier plants.

Part 2 of 3: Planting young seedlings

1. Plant in full sun. Catnip usually prefers sun. If you have a very sunny garden, consider planting them somewhere where the plants will have some afternoon shade. They will still need six hours of full sun a day, but in southern locations, the blazing afternoon sun can damage the leaves.
   • Catnip grows best outdoors, but you can also grow it indoors if you have a spot near a window that gets at least six hours of full sun per day.
   • If you grow the plant indoors, it should be no further than 1 meter away from the sunny window.
   • Alternatively, you can grow the plant indoors away from a sunny window if you have powerful fluorescent lights for plants.
2. Make sure there is a space of 45-50 cm between the plants. Use standard potting soil if you are planting in a pot or use whatever soil you have in your garden. The soil must be permeable, so it should not be too rich or too compact. Catnip, like most herbs, thrives in poor soil. Allow seedlings or young plants plenty of room to grow by leaving at least 45-50 cm between each plant.
   • They may look thin when you first plant them, but they will need room to grow and soon they will take up a lot of space.
   • Catnip grows in just about any soil, but sandy soil usually leads to more aromatic plants.
   • Water regularly after first planting. After a few weeks, or when you see that the plant has adapted and is starting to grow, water only when the soil has dried a few inches below the surface.
3. Consider planting in pots. Once established, catnip can grow aggressively and even take over an entire garden. To avoid this you should grow this plant in a controlled garden, for example using permanent dividers. If you don't have one, use pots so that you have complete control over where and how your catnip plants will grow.
   • If you long for the sight of an herb garden, but don't dare risk the catnip taking over, plant these plants in pots or bury the pots in your garden.
   • Placing the plants in pots under the bottom will allow you to contain and control the roots so they don't start roaming your garden.
   • Watch for shoots or new seedlings trying to grow outside of the pot. Pull out new shoots when you see them and don't put too much soil on top of the container when you bury it.

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining and harvesting catnip

1. Let the soil dry between watering. Catnip prefers drier soil and root rot can occur if the soil is too moist. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly so that the roots are saturated. Let the soil dry completely first and test the soil by sticking a finger in it before watering.
   • If the soil feels damp or wet, do not water the plant and check again later in the day or the next day.
   • Catnip plants are quite hardy and fairly drought resistant, so you should be more concerned about overwatering than underwatering.
2. Prune the plants to encourage new growth. After the first bloom, you need to remove the withered flowers. Cut the plants back to a third to encourage new growth and bloom. Regularly remove dead or dried leaves.
   • Pruning these plants will result in more bushy plants that bloom more consistently.
3. Divide root systems in the spring or fall. You can propagate or create new plants by dividing the root system of a plant in two. Dig up a cluster of plants with at least two or three stems or remove them from the pot if using a pot. Soak the root ball until it is completely saturated. Use a clean trowel or a garden knife to split the root ball in half and then replant each plant.
   • Continue to water frequently after you divide the plants. Don't let the root system dry out like you would a normal catnip plant.
   • Sharing plants can help prevent overgrowth, revitalize dying plants, or simply create the opportunity to share a plant with a friend.
4. Do not let your cat damage these plants. Cats are naturally attracted to catnip and they like to nibble on the leaves and settle in the plant bed. If you have an outdoor cat, do not plant catnip next to delicate flowers or plants that you would prefer not to see damaged by your cat. When using pots, do not place the pots where they can easily be knocked over or break.
   • Consider using a garden fence, support material, or bamboo pieces to support the plants and to keep your cat from laying on them.
5. Harvest leaves and let them air dry. To harvest, you need to thin a stem down to the base or cut the entire plant near the base. Cutting just above a node, the place where a leaf attaches to the stem, will encourage new growth more quickly. Air drying is the best drying method for the preservation of catnip leaves.
   • Leave the leaves on a paper towel on a sunny windowsill for two to three days.
   • Hang entire plants upside down in a cool place for several weeks.
   • Do your best to keep your cat away from the drying leaves. Consider drying the leaves in an area with a closed door to prevent your cat from jumping on the leaves.
   • Once dry, you can put them in an airtight storage box for safekeeping.