How To Grow Catnip In Your Backyard – From Seed To Harvest!
Welcome! This article contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Catnip is an exhilarating pink or white-flowered herb that turns your aloof feline into a twirling, purring ball of joy. Our enchanting catnip guide will unlock the secrets of cultivating this lovely plant, from tiny seeds to full-blown cat euphoria. Whether your whiskered companion is a seasoned connoisseur or a curious kitten, we’ve got you covered.
Sound fun?
Then, grab your gardening gloves. Let’s embark on another delightful journey! 🌱🐱
How To Easily Grow Catnip
Growing catnip is as easy as a cat’s life! All you need are some seeds, a little patience, and a love for all things feline. Let’s dive into the details.
Germinating Catnip Seeds Indoors
Starting your catnip journey indoors can give your plants a head start. It also grows wonderfully in pots. Either way, here’s how to start.
1. Preparation
Start by filling peat-growing cups or seed trays with a seed-starting mix. Moisten the mix with water until it’s damp but not soggy.
2. Planting
Sprinkle the catnip seeds over the soil surface. Cover your catnip seeds lightly with a delicate layer of mix. Sow the catnip seeds only one-quarter-inch deep. Cover the growing cups or trays with plastic wrap to help expedite germination.
3. Germination
Place the tray in a warm location of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Keep the soil moist. Sprouts should appear in 10 to 20 days.
Germinating Catnip Seeds Outdoors
If you prefer skipping indoor germination and want to hit the great outdoors ASAP, here’s how.
1. Timing
Wait until any sneaky late-night frosts pass before planting catnip. Spring and early summer are the perfect times to sow catnip in your backyard garden.
2. Planting
Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep in well-drained soil. Space them at least 15 inches apart. Try to plant your catnip seeds in a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of daily sunlight.
3. Germination
Keep the soil moist. If the soil temperature is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, your catnip seeds should germinate within 10 to 20 days.
Read More – Here’s The Best Way To Start Seeds Indoors Without Grow Lights!
Growing Catnip In Pots
Catnip is also easy to grow in clay or glass pots! Choose a container around eight or ten inches in diameter with excellent drainage. Catnip prefers well-draining soil, so add perlite to a high-quality potting mix for improved drainage.
Start catnip from seeds in flats initially. Once they have two sets of true leaves, transplant them into the chosen container. Plant the seeds under moist soil and cover the flats with plastic lids until germination.
Catnip needs plenty of sunlight, so position your container in a sunny window. Avoid overwatering! Only water when the soil surface feels dry. 😊🌿
Catnip Plant Growing Requirements
Catnip isn’t just a treat for cats; it’s also a delight to grow! These growing guidelines will help.
Sunlight
Catnip plants love the sun almost as much as cats love lounging in it! Ensure your catnip gets at least six hours of sunlight each day. Remember, a sunbathing catnip plant is a happy catnip plant! (Your cats also love lounging near a sunlit catnip plant. It’s their idea of heaven!)
Climate
Catnip is the Bear Grylls of the plant world. It’s a hardy perennial that can withstand temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit. So, unless you’re growing catnip on Mars, you’re probably good!
Soil + Fertilizer
Catnip can grow in nearly any loose, fertile garden soil. It prefers well-draining garden soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. I’ve seen catnip grow in ludicrously poor and dry soil. It doesn’t need fancy fertilizers. Nearly any organic compost or hay mulch will keep it happy like a lazy cat enjoying breakfast in bed.
(You don’t want to give catnip too much Nitrogen. Doing so makes the catnip overly leafy and less aromatic. So if you fertilize, offer a balanced and slow-release formula – or stick with organic compost, my favorite.)
Watering
Catnip is famously drought-tolerant. Once established, it only needs water if you experience a lengthy drought. It likes its soil like a good martini, not too dry or wet. Keep the catnip’s garden soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, as waterlogged soil can kill it.
Harvesting + Drying
Gathering a catnip harvest is the ultimate party for your cat. Harvest the leaves once the plant matures and has begun to flower. It’s also easy to dry and store the leaves for future use. It’s like creating a vintage wine cellar but for your cat!
Here’s how to dry catnip. After harvesting, chop some up and spread it on a cookie sheet. Let it rest in a dry area for at least one month. Your harvested catnip is ready to store when the small twigs break easily and don’t feel bendy. Toss them in a jar for your winter kittens. 🙂
Read More – 17 Herbs For Growing An Epic Backyard Tea Garden!
Catnip Plant And Growing Schedule
Here are the critical dates all Catnip growers should know.
April
Start seeds indoors or prepare garden beds outdoors. We’re setting the stage for a grand performance!
Picture this: Tiny catnip seeds huddled together, whispering secrets in their cozy indoor theater. The curtains rise, and the garden beds become their grand stage. It’s showtime, folks! 🌱🎶
May
May is a great time to transplant your catnip outdoors. Or, sow seeds directly into the garden. It’s moving day for your catnip!
Cue the dramatic music! The catnip orchestra is about to play its enchanting overture. Will the audience (aka your feline companions) give a standing ovation? Only time will tell. Break a leaf, little performers! 🐾
June
June is another great time to sow catnip! 🌱 It’s like giving your feline friend a summer vacation home. Catnip seeds thrive in warm weather, and June provides the perfect conditions for germination. Ensure they get plenty of sunlight; soon, your kitty will roll in catnip bliss! 🐾☀️
Keep plants watered and watch them grow! It’s like watching your favorite TV show, but slower.
July
Watch for any dry spells in July, and give your catnip a cool drink if necessary. Mature catmint or catnip plants will also flower heavily in July. Catnip flowering is a sign that it’s harvest time! It’s like the plant’s version of a drumroll.
August
Harvest time! Remember, catnip can continue flowering well into September or October. So, anytime during the summer into early fall is a great time to harvest.
September
Cut back plants and prepare them for winter. Don’t worry. They’ll come back next year. It’s like tucking your plants in for a long winter’s nap.
Also, your catnip plants will attract bees and other pollinators to your garden, making it a buzzing hotspot of activity. You might even find neighborly cats sneaking in for a snack. It’s like hosting the best block party in town but for cats and bees!
Read More – The Ultimate Dominique Chicken Guide! It’s America’s Oldest Chicken!
Our 5 Favorite Catnip Cultivars And Varieties
Did you know there are a handful of catnip cultivars? It might be a great idea to sow a few different varieties to help satisfy your local barnyard cats. Cats have different tastes!
1. True Catnip – Nepeta Cataria
True Catnip, loved by house cats, is native to Europe and Asia but has naturalized in many areas worldwide. It’s a herbaceous perennial that grows two to three feet tall and wide. It’s easy to grow, thrives in dry soils, and tolerates drought.
- Size: 2-3 feet tall and wide.
- Appearance: Green-grayish stems with aromatic, coarsely-toothed, triangular to ovate, gray-green leaves. Flowers usually appear white.
- Aroma: A savory blend of herbal freshness with hints of mint and earthiness.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9.
True Catnip stands tall under the sun’s gleam, a garden’s delight, a feline’s dream.
2. Lemon Catnip – Nepeta Citriodora
Lemon Catnip is a hardy perennial in the mint family that attracts all pollinators to the garden. It’s known for its strong lemon scent that both cats and humans enjoy.
- Size: 12 inches to 18 inches tall.
- Appearance: Green to gray-green heart-shaped leaves appear opposite along the stems.
- Aroma: Imagine mint leaves dancing with zesty citrus notes.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 9b.
Lemon Catnip is a sensory treat that brings joy to cats and gardeners alike.
3. Greek Catnip – Nepeta Parnassica
Greek Catnip, Nepeta Parnassica, is a thick, clumpy perennial with spikey stems that grow upright. Its leaves are scallop-edged, grey-green, triangular to oval-shaped, and highly aromatic. It’s smaller than ordinary catnip plants.
- Size: 12 to 18 inches tall.
- Appearance: Greyish green foliage with oval or triangular leaves. Flowers often appear purple or pink.
- Aroma: Greek catnip leaves emit a sweet scent with heavy lemon tones when crushed.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9.
With its aromatic charm, Greek Catnip adds a touch of the Mediterranean to any farm, homestead, or herb garden.
4. Catmint – Nepeta Mussinii
Catmint, Nepeta Mussinii, is a versatile perennial that thrives in rock and herb gardens, borders, and as an edging plant. Its fragrant flowers are a good nectar source for butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Catmint is also attractive to cats, but arguably less so than catnip. (Some cats may disagree!)
- Size: Up to 12 inches tall by 18 inches wide.
- Appearance: Soft lavender blooms and attractive foliage.
- Aroma: A pleasant minty and lemony scent.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9.
Catmint and its lovely lavender blooms bring a touch of the exotic to your gardens or indoor rooms, and many cats swear it’s a divine herb.
5. Giant Catnip – Nepeta Faassenii
Like its smaller cousins, giant catnip is irresistible to feline friends. Cats will roll, rub, and play in its foliage, eliciting joy and amusement. Giant catnip adds an element of wild elegance to cottage gardens, borders, walkways, or alongside other perennials.
- Size: Over 3 feet tall and wide.
- Appearance: The plant features heart-shaped, gray-green leaves with a soft, velvety texture. When in bloom, it produces clusters of violet-blue flowers that sway gracefully in the breeze.
- Aroma: The leaves emit a delightful herbal fragrance reminiscent of minty earthiness.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 9.
And oh, the cats! Giant catnip transforms them into a playful parade, rolling, twirling, lost in the fragrant maze.
Read More – How To Keep Bees And Wasps Away From Hummingbird Feeders!
Is Catmint The Same As Catnip?
Catmint (Nepeta Mussinii) and catnip (Nepeta Cataria) are like distant cousins in the mint family. They share some similarities, but they’re not identical twins. Here’s the lowdown.
Catmint
Imagine a small, tidy, well-groomed cat. That’s catmint! It grows in compact mounds with gray-green foliage. It flaunts spikes of purple, white, or pink flowers in summer. Varieties like Walker’s Low and Sweet Dreams add a touch of elegance to your garden.
Catnip
Catnip, on the other hand, is the wild child. It sprawls, branches out, and grows to about 3 feet tall. Its leaves are jagged-edged, and the white flowers are more subtle. It’s like the rebellious teenager of the mint family.
Both catmint and catnip release a minty scent when touched. Some people find it a tad “skunky,” but cats adore it! 🐾
Benefits Of Growing Catmint
- Long-Lasting Blooms: Catmint’s flower spikes last from late spring through the first frost. Talk about commitment!
- Drought-Tolerant & Hardy: Catmint laughs in the face of water shortages. It’s practically indestructible.
- Pollinator Paradise: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to catmint. It’s like a floral party!
- Deer-Resistant: Your local deer takes one whiff and says, “Nah, not my thing.” Catmint wins the garden popularity contest, except with deer; they skip it.
- Companion Planting: Catmint is catnip’s ultimate wingman (or wingcat). They’re BFFs in the garden. Plant them side by side, and they’ll high-five each other with minty leaves.
Catmint also repels certain pests, so it’s like having a natural bodyguard for your other plants! 🌼
Catmint is where elegance meets rebellion, and the bees throw a buzzing soirée. 🌸🐝
Common Problems When Growing Catnip
Catnip growers might encounter the following surprises or complications.
1. Invading Cats!
Catnip is usually easy and hassle-free. The only problems you might experience are stray, rogue, and neighborly cats invading your backyard garden!
It’s like throwing a cat party that you didn’t plan. But if you don’t want your backyard cats running wild, there’s an easy solution.
Try planting your catnip in hanging baskets or containers elevated off the ground. This way, your feline friends will have a more challenging time reaching the plant, and you’ll avoid the unsolicited cat rave!
2. Overwatering
Catnip is a member of the mint family, and like its minty cousins, it prefers well-drained soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot, like a cold for plants. So, remember, catnip likes its drinks like a cool cat – not too much, not too little, just right.
3. Insects And Pests
While cats may love catnip, some insects do too. Aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites might decide to set up camp on your plants. But don’t worry. You can send most of these pesky party crashers packing using a powerful blast from the hose. It’s like sending a bouncer to keep your catnip party exclusive!
Remember, growing catnip is a journey, not a destination. And every good gardener knows that the road to a green thumb only works with trial, error, and much love (and maybe a few cat hairs, too)!
Read More – How To Grow A Backyard Chaos Garden – The Ultimate Low-Stress Garden Strategy!
Conclusion
Thanks for reading our catnip growing guide! Catnip is easily one of the most entertaining crops to grow if you have hungry cats deserving of a reward. And even if you don’t have cats, your neighbor’s cats will appreciate the gesture!
What about you?
- Are you growing catnip this year?
- Will you grow it for the cats? Or the bees?
- Will you plant catnip or catmint? Or a 50/50 mix?
- Have you ever found random cats from your neighborhood snacking and nibbling on your catnip?
- Have you ever tried growing catnip in hanging pots or baskets?
We hope to hear from fellow catnip fanciers!
Thanks again for reading.
Have a great day!