Tools and Materials
Materials
pH testing kit
- Mulch
Catnip seeds or seedlings
Identify your Catnip
Before growing catnip, you should know which type you are planting and whether it suits the region.
How to Grow Catnip
Growing and caring for catnip is easy, fruitful and low maintenance. It can be used for multiple purposes, such as medicinal, cat-friendly and pollinating.
Choose your Location
Catnips are great pollinators, so it is best to keep them in an open location. A well-drained soil and sunny location are perfect for growing them.
- Catnip prefers moderately fertile soil with a pH of 6.1 to 7.8. You can check the pH with a testing kit or send the soil sample to a lab.
- Make sure the spot that you choose gets at least 7 hours of sunlight daily.
- The soil should be sandy or loamy, which will prevent root rot. You can improve your soil by adding compost, mulch or other organic matter.
You can plant it near vegetables like tomatoes and peppers to deter pests and as a protective barrier or near flowers for better pollination.
Planting
First, choose whether you want to start from seed or seedlings directly, as seedlings will grow faster. You can get a seedling or transplant a catnip plant.
- To grow from seeds, soak them overnight for better germination. Sow seeds ¼ inch deep using a hand trowel and lightly cover with soil.
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Space seeds or seedlings 18-24 inches apart, as these plants can spread, so ensure you have enough space for them to grow.
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If you are using a transplant, dig the hole a little deeper using a hand trowel, big enough to fit the root ball and then cover it with soil till the crown part.
Make sure you wear gardening gloves while planting and performing maintenance tasks. This provides protection while handling tools such as hand trowels and scissors and helps keep your hands clean and safe from potential injuries.
Maintenance
Catnip plant care is easy since it does not require much nourishment and watering.
- Water the plant with half a cup of water with a gap of 2-3 days, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering, as catnip dislikes soggy conditions.
- Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer once or twice a year. Apply compost or organic matter or mulch at planting time for natural enrichment.
- Prune your catnip plants using pruning shears or scissors regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent legginess. Pinch off flowers if you’re growing for foliage to extend its lifespan.
Catnip can become invasive in some areas. Use containers or plant barriers to prevent uncontrolled spreading.
Pests and Disease Protection
It is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but despite the best catnip plant care, pests and diseases can manifest, so precautions should be taken.
- For aphids, spider mites and powdery mildew, use insecticidal soap or neem oil if infestations occur. Apply directly with a spray bottle and wash it after a while. Do this until the disease goes away.
- For root rot, it is good to have well-drained soil to prevent this fungal issue.
Harvesting and Storing the Catnip
After learning how to grow catnip, you can move on to harvesting and storing it.
- Catnip plants can be harvested once they reach 12-18 inches in height.
- Use sharp scissors to snip stems early in the morning when oils are most concentrated.
- Leave at least one-third of the plant intact to encourage regrowth.
- Hang stems upside down in a cool, dark place to dry.
- Once it is dry, crumble the leaves and store them in airtight containers away from direct sunlight if you wish to use them for tea or other purposes.
Lowe’s also offers live plant delivery, including catnip, allowing you to have your plants delivered to your doorstep.