Catnip
Nepeta cataria
Medicinal Plants Difficulty: Very Easy
📖 About this plant
Catnip is a vigorous member of the mint family famous for its euphoric effect on cats. Its aromatic leaves have mild sedative properties for humans and can be brewed into a calming herbal tea.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Full sun to partial shade (4-6 hrs)
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
Moderate (40-60%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-28°C
🪴
Soil
Well-drained sandy loam; tolerates poor soils; pH 6.0-7.5
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Fertilizer
Light feeding with balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growing season; avoid over-fertilizing
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Europe, Asia, Middle East
- 📏 Max height
- 60-100 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 30-60 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer - Fall
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White, Lavender
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Gray-Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans; irresistible to cats due to nepetalactone compound
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seed sowing in spring; stem cuttings; division of established clumps
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to humans; irresistible to cats due to nepetalactone compound
Common issues
- Powdery mildew on foliage, Spider mites, Aggressive spreading via roots, Root rot in poorly draining soil
💡 Care tips
- Contains nepetalactone which drives cats into playful euphoria,Can be brewed into a calming tea for humans too,Drought-tolerant perennial that self-seeds freely,Pinch flower buds to encourage bushy leafy growth
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
