Nepeta cataria (True Catnip) is a perennial herb that is native to Asia and Europe and is widely grown for its beautiful purple flowers and by cat lovers worldwide. Catnip also has medicinal benefits, attracts bees and butterflies into the garden and is cold hardy and easy to grow.
Suitable for Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates.
Nepeta cataria is also known by the names Catswort and Catmint. Catnip and Catmint are widely used as common names for the whole Nepeta genus and comes from the intense attraction to the plant from around two-thirds of all cats. Cats that are attracted to Catnip exhibit strange behaviours such as purring, rubbing and rolling over the plant to attempt to get some its properties onto their fur.
Catnip is also used in some herbal teas as a relaxant and has been used to treat indigestion and fevers.
You can check out Persian Catmint here or to view our full range of herbs click here.
Growth
Nepeta cataria is a short-lived herbaceous plant that grows to a maximum height and width of around 100cm (3 feet). Catnip in good conditions is quick growing and can produce fragrant purple blooms from late Spring through to Autumn. The plants prefer at least 6-8 hours of full-sun per day.
Once the seedlings have properly established, Catnip can tolerate frosts and doesn’t require much water to maintain.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Lamiaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate to Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-10-30°C / 14-86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun.
HEIGHT:
Up to 1m (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 1m (3 feet)
pH:
5.5-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees and Butterflies.
MATURITY:
90-120 days
GERMINATION RATES:
45-60%
GERMINATION TIME:
10-20 days at temperatures between 21-27°C / 70-80°F
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 1700
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes, possible.
EDIBLE:
Yes.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 5 years.
FACTS ABOUT NEPETA CATARIA (True Catnip)
Cats younger than six months might not exhibit any behavioral changes to Catnip and up to one-third of all cats are immune to the effects. Other alternative herbs such as Valerian and Catmint as well as Cat Grass is also used by cat owners to spoil their furry family member.
Nepeta cataria has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments including stomach cramps, indigestion, fevers and nervous conditions. The plant has been consumed as a tea, tincture, juice, infusion, poultice and has also been smoked.
For more information about the health benefits of Catnip check out this article.
