Have you ever thought about growing Catnip but don’t know how to do so? Don’t worry we will guide you through!
Catnip is a perennial plant with a height of about 2-3 feet and whitish flowers. It’s a member of the mint family that can trigger episodes of euphoria in cats.
The herb has pungent oil characteristics that can repel pests and ensure the good health of other plants. It also works as a repellent to combat insect problems and works as a great companion plant.
To grow Catnip, you must meet its growing conditions and ensure its good maintenance. Wondering how to do so? Here’s a brief up:
Things Required for Growing Catnip
Before growing a Catnip plant, make sure you meet the requirements for its good growth. You should also keep high-quality herb care accessories handy to ensure a successful planting:
Sun: Full sun exposure
Soil: Well-drained, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: 6.1 – 7.8
Temperature: 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit
Hardiness zone: 3-7 (USDA)
Bloom time: Spring, fall, summer
Spacing: 18-24 inches
Moisture: Average to medium
Soil Requirements for Catnip
Catnip requires fertile, well-drained soil and full sun. But, it can tolerate poor, dry, and rocky soils as well. The pH of the soil should be about slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. You can add some compost to the initial soil, although it isn’t necessary after that.
How to Grow Catnip?
Before starting the process, take a look at the checklist and see if you have everything. This includes seeds (if you are growing Catnip through seeds), pots, fertilisers, compost, etc. You can buy good quality seeds from any home or garden store.
Growing Catnip from Seeds/Cuttings
To grow Catnip through seeds, sow the seeds about ⅛ inches inside the soil. Keep the spacing between the seeds to about 15 inches. Its germination period lasts up to 10 days, so make sure to water the seed well. Eventually, you will see small sprouts emerging out of the soil.
You can also grow Catnips through cuttings. For that, you will need 4-6 inches of long stems below the leaf nodes. Take rich and moist potting soil and plant the cutting within the same. Make sure to provide adequate moisture and sunlight until the new plant appears. If you want good growth of Catnip plant, you can dip the cutting in growth hormone too.
Growing Catnip Indoors and Outdoors
Catnip can be grown both indoors/outdoors. But, if you are growing the herb indoors, ensure that it receives direct sunlight for at least five hours a day. Remember, too little sunlight can cause leggy and spindly growth of the plant.
Make sure that plant is potted in quick-draining soil to discourage root rot. It should also have enough room to breathe and grow flawlessly.
In the case of outdoor planting, Catnip just requires well-draining soil and full sun. It can tolerate part sun too and several types of soil. The soil of the seedlings should be slightly moist but not entirely soggy. Also, as the plant is drought-tolerant, do not keep it in water-logged conditions.
Growing Catnip in Pots
Catnips are invasive perennials. They are more prone to spreading into unwanted places. So, it’s worth growing the plant in pots. You can use a pot or container of about 12 inches in diameter with adequate drainage holes.
We recommend going for an unglazed clay container for Catnip planting, as it ensures the extra soil moisture gets removed through its walls. You should also use a well-draining potting mix to plant the herb and provide them with the necessary conditions for its better growth.
You can make your own potting mix, by combining equal amounts of peat, perlite, and soil.
How to Maintain a Catnip Plant?
To get the best out of a Catnip plant, you must care and maintain the plant properly.
Follow the below steps to do so:
- Catnip requires moisture in the germination period. So, water the plant thoroughly for the first two weeks.
- Fertilize the plant with an organic weak liquid fertilizer every two weeks.
- Cut off any budding stems before they bloom.
- Keep the young plants away from cats as the plants wouldn’t be able to understand the direct and intense interest at first.
- Monitor the plant for any disease infestation or harmful pests/insects.
If you follow the above-mentioned tips/steps, it will be easier for you to grow Catnip at your home. We hope now you know everything about growing Catnip from scratch.
