As a member of the mint family, catnip has a similar appearance, but more importantly, it has the pungent oils characteristic of the group. This makes catnip as a companion plant very useful in the garden. The oils appear to repel certain pests and help keep your veggie and fruit plants healthier. Using catnip as pest repellent is an organic way to combat insect problems, keeping your garden safe.
Catnip Companion Plants and Insects
If you have ever watched a feline near a catnip plant, it is obvious the attraction is very strong. Not only is catnip useful in kitty-friendly gardens, but it also combats several common insect pests. Collard greens, for example, are one of many companions for catnip. The oils in the herb repel flea beetles and keep the greens free of their feeding damage. There are many other plants to grow with catnip that benefit from the pungent scent. The potent oils in catnip are unpleasant to many insects, such as:
- Aphids
- Ants
- Cabbage loopers
- Colorado potato beetles
- Japanese beetles
- Flea beetles
- Cockroaches
- Weevils
- Squash bugs
That is quite a list for an easy-to-grow herb. Using catnip as a companion in the vegetable garden can help protect the plants from insect damage without having to resort to dangerous chemicals. Some plants to grow with catnip include:
The powerful scent of the herb also seems to repel mice and voles, two other pests of the veggie garden.
Using Catnip Companion Plants
Catnip can get quite invasive, spreading rapidly through a bed. To avoid this, you can plant the herb in a container and then bury it near catnip companion plants. Obviously, the herb may attract cats to your garden, but the flowers also attract honeybees. If you don't want cats right in the garden, use catnip as a border. The cats will be so distracted by the delicious scent of the plant they may avoid the soft soil around your plants and do their business elsewhere. As an added bonus, you can enjoy a cat's antics as it frolics among the scented leaves and blooms. Plenty of photo opportunities will ensue! Catnip can be started from divisions, seed, or cuttings. It grows rapidly and has few disease and pest issues itself. When planting catnip as pest repellent, situate the plant near those that need protection, in full sun and well-draining soil. Catnip can get leggy, so pinch young plants early to develop a denser, bushy form. To use the plant in the home, cut stems and hang them upside down outside in a dry location. Once the herb leaves are dried, pull them off the stems. Crush leaves and sprinkle them around doors and window sills, as well as around the house where tiny insect invaders can gain entrance. The smell lasts for up to a week and will help prevent many insect pests from bugging your home.
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Catnip Winter Care – Is Catnip Winter HardyEven 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.
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Cutting Back Catnip: Should I Prune Catnip PlantsCatnip 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.
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Planting Catnip For Cats: How To Grow Catnip For Cat UseIf 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. Learn about planting catnip for cats here.
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Treating Catnip Diseases – How To Manage Problems With CatnipThere 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.
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What Is Catnip For: Learn About Various Uses For CatnipThe 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.
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Catnip Plant Varieties: Growing Different Species Of NepetaCatnip 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.
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Dogs And Catnip – Is Catnip Bad For DogsCats 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.
