Catnip

Catnip, a hardy perennial herb from the mint family, is known for its fragrant, heart-shaped leaves and clusters of delicate white or lavender flowers. The leaves and stems of the catnip plant contain "nepetalactone" oil, which stimulates special receptors in cats and gives them a sense of euphoria or overwhelming happiness, and encouraging playful and relaxed behavior. Beyond its appeal to pets, Catnip is a versatile herb for humans, often used in calming teas and natural remedies to promote relaxation and ease minor stress. Its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions makes it a low-maintenance and rewarding addition to any garden or container. The plant also doubles as a natural repellent, helping to keep mosquitoes and other insects away from your outdoor spaces.

Also Known As: Catmint, Catwort, Field Balm, Catnep, Nepeta, Catswort, Herb Cat, Nip, Garden Catnip, True Catnip.

Plant Name:	Catnip
Latin Name:	Nepeta cataria
Days to Germinate:	10-21
Days to Harvest:	85-120
Plant Height:	18 - 36 Inches
Spread:	1 - 2 Feet
Growth Habit:	Bush
USDA Zones:	3-9
Lifespan:	Perennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For an earlier catnip harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing catnip outdoors, plant in late spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. For fall crops, start seeding indoors and transplant seedlings outdoors at least 8 weeks before the first expected frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2-3 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 2-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally add fertilizer. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Catnip is ready to harvest when plants are mature, about 3 to 4 months after planting. The best time to harvest is just before the plant starts to flower, when the leaves are at their most aromatic. To harvest, use pruning shears to snip off the top leaves and stems, cutting just above a set of leaves. This encourages the plant to grow back and produce more leaves. After harvesting, hang the stems upside down in a cool, dry place to air dry, ensuring that the leaves retain their potency and flavor.