Planting Catnip For Cats: How To Grow Catnip For Cat Use


If you have cats, then you are more than likely to have given them catnip or have toys for them that contain catnip. As much as your cat appreciates this, he/she would love you even more if you provided them with fresh catnip. You can grow catnip plants for your feline friends either inside or outside, and don’t worry; growing catnip for your cat is easy.
About Planting Catnip for Cats
It wasn’t until relatively recently that folks began growing catnip, Nepeta cataria, strictly for their cats. It used to be more commonly used to treat medicinal ailments, or grown for tea or even as a culinary herb. Someone, somewhere, soon discovered its psychotropic effects on cats and, today, most people grow catnip for cat uses.
There probably isn’t a cat lover out there who hasn’t tried catnip out on their fur baby. For the majority, the results are delightful with only one-third of the pets having no reaction at all. But for the other two-thirds, it’s time to learn how to grow catnip plants for your feline pet’s enjoyment.
Catnip contains essential oils that act as stimulants to cats. Specifically, the terpenoid nepetalactone is produced in the oil glands on the underside of the foliage and on the stems. This oil has also been used as an insect repellent, although it isn’t effective when applied on the skin. The oil tends to dry out over time, which may be why Fluffy started to ignore some of those catnip toys.
How to Grow Catnip for Cat Use
Catnip is a member of the mint family and is hardy in USDA zone 3-9. It has become widely naturalized throughout temperate areas of the world. It can be propagated by leaf tip cuttings, division, or seeds. Catnip can be grown in the garden proper or in containers, either inside or outside.
Like mint, catnip can take over a garden area, so growing catnip in containers is a great option, plus it provides a year-round source of the herb to your feline friends.
Outside, catnip is not too picky about its light requirements, but container-grown catnip needs at least 5 hours of bright sunlight inside. Again, it is not particular about soil but prefers a rich, loamy soil that is well-draining.
Keep new seedlings moist but not sodden. When the plants have established, they are quite drought-tolerant. Pinch off blooms to encourage a second bloom or continually pinch to create a bushier plant.
How to Dry Catnip Plants
Now that you are growing your own catnip, it’s time to learn how to dry the herb for your cats. You may harvest an entire plant or just cut some stems. These can be hung upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area until they are dry.
Then the leaves and flowers can be stripped from the stem and stored in a sealed container or sewn into handmade cat toys.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."

Amy Grant has been gardening for 30 years and writing for 15. A professional chef and caterer, Amy's area of expertise is culinary gardening.
-
15 Garden Trends To Avoid in 2024: Experts Warn Against These Outdated Designs
Garden trends come and go. We asked gardening experts to share the outdated trends that should be retired – and what you can do instead.
By Melanie Griffiths Last updated
-
How To Overwinter Ollas For Years Of Use: Get More From Irrigation Pots
If you overwinter ollas properly, you'll keep these unique watering pots from cracking. Here's how to protect them in erratic winter temperatures so they last longer.
By Mary Ellen Ellis Published
-
Catnip Winter Care – Is Catnip Winter Hardy
Even if you don’t have cats, catnip is a perennial herb that is easy to grow and attracts bees and other pollinators. You can even make a tasty and stomach-soothing tea from it. Depending on where you live, winter can be a little harsh on your catnip, so learn how to protect it here.
By Mary Ellen Ellis Last updated
-
Cutting Back Catnip: Should I Prune Catnip Plants
Catnip is a no-fuss, easy-to-grow member of the mint family that requires little maintenance. What about pruning catnip plants though? Is cutting back catnip necessary? Click here to find out about pruning catnip plants and, if need be, how to prune catnip.
By Amy Grant Last updated
-
Treating Catnip Diseases – How To Manage Problems With Catnip
There are few issues that will seriously affect the plant's health. They take quite a lot of abuse from overly interested neighborhood felines. However, if your plant looks sick, fungal issues are probably the most common diseases of catnip. Learn more here.
By Bonnie L. Grant Last updated
-
Catnip Propagation Methods – Tips For Growing New Catnip Herb Plants
Does kitty love her catnip toys? Well then, perhaps you should grow your own catnip herb plants. Don’t know how to propagate catnip? Growing new catnip plants is easy. Click on the following article to find out about catnip propagation.
By Amy Grant Last updated
-
What Is Catnip For: Learn About Various Uses For Catnip
The name says it all, or almost all. Catnip is a common herb that you can cultivate in the garden but that also grows wild. Knowing how to use catnip means you can put this plentiful herb to good use for both you and your feline friends. Learn more in this article.
By Mary Ellen Ellis Last updated
-
Catnip Plant Varieties: Growing Different Species Of Nepeta
Catnip is a member of the mint family. There are several types of catnip, each easy to grow, vigorous and attractive. Learn more about the various types of catnip plants that you can add to your garden here in this article.
By Bonnie L. Grant Last updated
-
Dogs And Catnip – Is Catnip Bad For Dogs
Cats and dogs are opposite in so many ways that it is no surprise that they react differently to catnip. While cats delight in the herb, rolling in it and becoming almost giddy, dogs do not. So is catnip bad for dogs? Can dogs eat catnip? Find out in this article.
By Teo Spengler Last updated
-
Catnip And Insects – How To Fight Catnip Pests In The Garden
The plants are generally trouble-free, and when it comes to catnip, pest problems generally aren’t much of a problem. Click on this article for information on a few common catnip plant pests, along with some helpful tips on catnip as a pest repellent.
By Mary H. Dyer Last updated