GrowingCatnip/catnip plant

Growing catnip
Tips for growing catnip (Nepenta cataria). How to start from seed and cultivate in the garden. Advice on harvesting and drying for winter use by cats
Catnip (Nepenta cataria) is a perennial herb than causes most cats to fall into a state of unbridled ecstasy, complete with half-lidded eyes and copious drooling. It is rare for a cat to be unresponsive to this plant, and since it is harmless to them, there is no reason to deprive your pets of the pleasure. The very best catnip is grown in your garden and dried for use in the winter. The dry catnip available in pet stores is a pale imitation of the real, fresh item, and does not even belong in the same category as what you can preserve for kitty's winter enjoyment.


THE NATURE OF CATNIP

Catnip is a member of the mint family and a perennial, which means it will come back every year from a single planting. It will also self-seed, giving you lots of baby plants to share with friends as the years go by. This is an attractive plant, growing to three feet or more and producing bluish flowers in mid-summer. The leaves are light green, slightly furry and have an attractive scalloped edge. As with all members of the mint family, the stems are square and hollow.

Catnip is easy to find in the spring. Most garden centers and large home-supply centers sell it, along with other herbs. Mail-order nurseries are also a good source. However, be sure that you do not buy an ornamental catnip by mistake. There are now at least four different types of "catnip" grown as ornamentals. They will not get kitty high or even slightly tipsy. You want common catnip, Nepenta cataria.

If you decide to grow your plants from seed, start about eight weeks before the last frost in your area. Consult an almanac or call the local extension agent if you are unsure of the date. Start the seed in two-inch pots, using sterile potting mix. Moisten the soil mix, press the seeds lightly down and cover with a tiny bit of mix. Cover the pots with plastic, and keep warm. The top of the fridge is a good place for the seeds to germinate. Expose the young plants to full sun as soon as they start sprouting, and do not allow them to dry out. Gradually acclimate the plants to outside conditions, and plant them outdoors when the danger of frost is past.


CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS
As with most herbs, full sun, adequate moisture, and reasonable soil are all that is needed. Catnip will grow happily in patio pots or as a part of the vegetable or flower garden. Nearly pest-free, the worst damage usually comes from outside cats that discover the plants before they get well established. If your pet is allowed outdoors, by all means show him the plants. After the initial delight wears off, they usually leave the plants alone to grow strong and tall. Catnip can survive long periods of drought once it is growing well. In fact, this often intensifies the aroma by concentrating the essential elements that kitty loves.

HARVEST AND STORAGE
You can begin harvesting catnip as soon as the stems get to about one foot tall, and continue cutting all summer. In mild climates, the plant will maintain a low rosette of leaves and can be picked through the winter. During the summer, you can cut a few sprigs of fresh catnip for kitty whenever you want to give him a treat. Don't be alarmed if kitty eats all the leaves.


Cut the stems when the leaves are dry of morning dew and hang upside down in an airy, shaded place to cure. When completely dried and crunchy, crumble the leaves into a paper bag and discard the stems. Store in plastic bags under lock and key. It has been my experience that many cats are able to open cupboards and remove bags of catnip. Most cats will have no trouble tearing open a plastic bag to get at the catnip inside.


When you give your cat toys filled with catnip, remember to keep a few extras inside the bag for later. Pom-poms of yarn are very nice cat toys that can be purchased at craft shops or made at home. A few of these kept in with the dried catnip will ensure a ready supply for rotating.

Catnip Leaves

Catnip (Nepeta cataria, also known as Catnep, Catmint, and Field Balm) is best known for its mysterious effect on cats, from the lowly barn cat to the mighty mountain lion. It's also a useful herb for humans. One of catnip's effects is to induce perspiration without raising body temperature. If you have a fever, catnip can help break it. If you have trouble sleeping, tricking your body into thinking it's warmer might help. On a hot summer's day, a little catnip tea can cool you off.


Catnip Leaves Give Cats A Harmless High But Helps Humans
The leaves, slightly larger than peppermint, are downy above and below. When its essential oil production reaches its peak, catnip is harvested. The leaves and fragrant flowers are then carefully dried to preserve these oils.As you might suspect, catnip got its name because of its affect on cats. Cats are most interested in the smell of the plant. Cats will rub against, bite, chew, and roll in catnip – generally go crazy for several minutes. This will release the volatile oil trapped in the leaves. Then suddenly the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later he could return and do it. Why he acts like this we don’t know, we do know that it is related to the chemical nepetalactone in catnip. It is a reflex response, and, though a small percentage of cats are totally unaffected by it, even tigers can be sensitive to it.


Catnip has been used in the kitchen and in traditional herbal medicine for more than 2,000 years. Catnip tea was a favorite of the British before trade with the East brought great quantities of green tea and black tea to the island. It's a native of the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, but catnip escapes its captors everywhere and grows wild under even the harshest conditions. Once catnip arrived on the shores of North America, Native Americans used it to treat colds, sore throats, fever, cough, and colic. As an herbal treatment, catnip sooths the stomach and digestive system. This means it aids with flatulence, diarrhea, and colic. As an enema it can cleanse and heal the lower bowel. Taken as a hot infusion, Catnip promotes sweating and this helps with colds, flu, fevers, and infectious diseases. It is soothing to the nervous system and can help to prevent a miscarriage, premature birth and to decrease symptoms of morning sickness.


Catnip is most commonly used as a digestive aid because it relieves stomach cramps, intestinal spasms, bloating and gas. It's even said in the old herbals that catnip will dispel nervous headaches. Drinking a nice, warm cup of tea containing catnip after eating a good meal will settle your stomach so you can relax and enjoy. A touch of lemon and honey make catnip tea heavenly.Catnip is not recommended in large quantities for pregnant women; take it as part of an infusion blend. Weak catnip tea is mild enough for babies who are eating solid food, but be double sure it's organic and free of pesticides. When combined with Spearmint, Lemongrass, Calendula flowers, Skullcap, Rosemary, Sage, and Fennel, Catnip makes a really lovely tea, and the effects of all these herbs used together enhances all.


Catnip is beneficial for young children. It stimulates the body, settles the stomach, and soothes the nerves. The combination of catnip with Fennel has long been used as a remedy for colic, gas, teething difficulties, and indigestion in children. It also helps clean out mucus in the body.


Combined with garlic’s infection fighting properties, the duo is a powerful enema. It has the ability to induce sleep while producing perspiration without increasing the heat of the system. This makes it a valuable drink when someone has a fever. Its sedative action on the nerves adds to its generally relaxing properties.


About the only culinary use of catnip is candied catnip as an after-dinner treat. Sprinkle sugar on catnip leaves coated with egg white and lemon juice glaze, let dry for a day, then consume. An interesting little treat the next time your in-laws come over for dinner.
As if its digestive settling properties weren't enough, catnip is also said to repel cockroaches, cure dandruff, and rid humans of worms. Folks say planting it around your house will bring you love and good luck--it will certainly bring you cats!


Catnip is a safe herb but must be stored properly. As is the case with most bulk herbs, Catnip should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place. Refrigeration or freezing prolongs its value. The petalactone in catnip is UV photosensitive and, therefore, it is important that it be stored out of the sun. Some recommend caution for use by pregnant women but others say it is perfectly safe, even beneficial for expectant mothers.

Your Own Catnip

Catnip is a 50-100 cm tall herb resembling mint in appearance, with greyish-green leaves; the flowers are white, finely spotted with purple.Catnip is a 50-100 cm tall herb resembling mint in appearance, with greyish-green leaves; the flowers are white, finely spotted with purple.

Catnip (or catmint) produces Nepetalactone oil and that acts something like an aphrodisiac for cats. Is it harmful to them? Experts say no, there are no short term or long term ill effects on a cat.Although approximately 1/3 of cats couldn’t care less about catnip, the rest flip for it. And drool. And race around! Why do cats love it so much? It’s great for cats that are a little too laid back (ummm, lazy). They get a good workout and a little exercise with their happy time. If your cat is really old or has health problems, it’s probably not a good idea to give it to her since she will get excited and hyper.

Tips

The best luck I’ve had with growing catnip is planting it in a hanging basket, then hanging it off a tree branch at the very end. Strong enough to hold the pot if it’s windy out, yet out of reach of climbing kitties.

If you live in an apartment but have a balcony, see if you can’t have a plant hanger bracket off the outside wall to hang the pot on. You could also try a high stool or tall legged plant holder with nothing around it for the cat to crawl up on and tear into it. Make sure it’s very sturdy–cats are smart when it comes to catnip and they’ll bulldoze the legs out from underneath if they realize they can flip it over!

As the plant grows, pinch the the new leaves frequently so that it bushes out, it will produce a lot more that way.

The downside of planting outside is neighborhood cats. I don’t get armies of cats milling about, but I did have a nightly visitor or two trying their best to get at the plant. If you don’t like other cats in your yard, plant the catnip inside.

If you decide to try growing it as a houseplant, you will need to grow it in a place that gets some sun–but protected from the cat somehow. The high stool or tall legged planter are probably your best choices. If you don’t mind ceiling hooks, try an indoor hanging basket. The sunnier the spot–the better.

You can grow catnip from seed, but check the local greenhouse for a plant that’s already started. It’s a little more money, but well worth it since it’s healthy and hardy, raring to go right from the start.