How to grow and care for catnip
Catnip is widely recognized as the plant that can send cats wild with its scent! However, its benefits extend far beyond this quirk. Catnip is also an excellent ornamental and easy-to-grow garden plant, loved by pollinators and particularly appreciated by beginner gardeners for its low maintenance.
Popular catnip varieties
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Catnip, part of the genus Nepeta, typically grows as a bushy herbaceous perennial with heart-shaped leaves. The appearance of catnip plants can vary depending on the species. Here are some of the most popular varieties:
- Dwarf catnip (Nepeta mussinii)
Also called catmint, this variety forms dense clusters of highly branched stems and grey-green, serrated leaves. Growing to a height of 30–50 cm, it features small violet-blue flowers that bloom from May to September. - Common catnip (Nepeta cataria)
This is the true catnip plant, growing up to 1m tall with exceptionally aromatic leaves. It blooms from June to September, with delicate violet-spotted white flowers arranged in clusters along the stems. - Lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria ‘Citriodora’)
Similar to the common variety, lemon catnip grows to around 80 cm and is distinguished by its small white flowers adorned with pink or purple veins and its lemon-scented leaves. It also blooms from June to September. - Blue Moon catnip (Nepeta nervosa ‘Blue Moon’)
Renowned for its vibrant lavender-blue flowers, this ornamental variety grows to approximately 40 cm in height, forming lush flower clusters.
How to grow catnip
Catnip growing tips
Catnip is a hardy, low-maintenance plant, making it a perfect choice for busy or first-time gardeners. The growing conditions for catnip are simple:
- Temperature
Most catnip varieties are frost-resistant and can withstand low temperatures, so catnip can be grown outdoors in the UK all year round. - Sunlight
Catnip needs at least 6 hours of sun per day to thrive and flower well. It may cope with some shade for part of the day, but its stems will tend to sprawl towards the light. - Watering catnip
Mature catnip plants are drought-resistant and require infrequent watering, even during dry spells. Newly planted catnip, however, should be watered regularly until it is established. - Soil
Catnip isn’t fussy about soil but performs best in light, well-draining, slightly alkaline soil.
Planting catnip
Catnip can be grown from nursery plants or home-propagated seedlings.
- When to plant catnip: Spring (after the last frost) or autumn. May is ideal for spring planting.
- When to sow catnip seeds: Catnip seeds can be sown indoors any time between spring and autumn. Autumn-sown seedlings should be overwintered in a cold frame and planted out in spring. Catnip can also be sown outdoors in late spring.
Growing catnip in pots
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Catnip grows well in pots outdoors and looks beautiful tumbling over the edges of a container. Choose a pot with good drainage and use a good peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with grit. If growing catnip in pots indoors, place the pot on a sunny windowsill, and periodically move it outdoors into the sun for a few weeks.
Feeding catnip
Catnip does best in poor or moderately fertile soil and doesn’t usually need any additional feeding. In fact, over-fertilising can produce leggy, sprawling plants with lots of foliage and few flowers.
Common pests and diseases
While generally resilient, catnip can face issues such as:
- Powdery mildew: A fungal infection recognized by its white, powdery coating on leaves. Mulch plants annually with well-rotted garden compost or soil improver to reduce drought stress, and ensure good air circulation by not overcrowding plants. As cats are prone to nibbling the plant’s leaves, it’s best not to use fungicide sprays.
- Cats: Catnip attracts cats, which may damage plants by rolling in or chewing them. Protect young plants with wire mesh enclosures or insert short lengths of bamboo cane between the plants’ stems into the ground to stop cats lying on them.
FAQs
How long does catnip take to grow?
Catnip is a perennial plant that grows quickly and can reach its mature height within one growing season. Plants are usually cut back to ground level in autumn and will put on new growth in spring.
Is catnip invasive?
Although catnip is a member of the same family as mint, it does not spread by runners in the same way as mint does and is not considered invasive in the UK. Some Nepeta varieties can self-seed, but any resulting seedlings are easily controlled.
Will growing catnip attract cats?
Catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone which attracts many (but not all) cats. They may chew the leaves, rub against the plant or even roll on it. To stop cats damaging your catnip plant, push short lengths of bamboo cane into the ground around the plant and between the stems.
