Growing Catnip

Catnip is a member of the Mint family, Catnip is an aromatic, strong smelling herb. It has clusters of white or purplish-blue flowers atop toothy, heart shaped leaves with a light gray colored fuzz on the leaf. There is also an uncommon yellow variety. The leaves have a lemon-mint flavor and scent. It is fun to grow for your cats, and for tea for you.

Catnip is a perennial, and grows two to three feet. It is native to North America. In addition to cats, bees are also fond of Catnip. Make sure to leave PLENTY of room to grow catnip – - it will often overcrowd many of your other herbs, flowers or plants.

Grow Catnip plants from seed. Sow seeds into your garden in the spring. Space seedlings or thin plants to 20″ apart.

Catnip thrives in sun or partial shade. They prefer average, well drained soil over rich soils. They grow well with little attention, and will withstand crowding. Fertilizer is not usually required, except in the poorest of soils. We always recommend a little fertilizer at planting time, and a couple of times a year to promote maximum growth.

After the plants have grown a few inches, pinch back the shoots to promote bushy growth. It will first bloom in mid summer. After harvest, trim back the plants again. With luck, you will get three harvests in a season.

Aside from using it to drive your cats kooky – catnip has documented herbal remedy benefits: Used for reducing chickenpox and measle eruptions. Lowers fever. Useful herb for insomnia – even in children. Helps relieve digestive disturbances and stomach flus. This herb has a gentle carminitive action. An infusion is given to children and nursing mothers to help expel trapped gas. It also safely induces sleep without any grogginess the next morning.

Tops of plant are harvested and used as a tea or infusion. Sometimes used in combination with other herbs in tincture form. [Source]