Catnip

SKU:
CA$3.50
3.5 9 CA$3.50 - CA$9.00
Unavailable
Approximately 1707 seeds per gram
Lot#CN02001
Nepeta cataria
Irresistible to cats and bees, it is a spreading, carefree joy in the flower bed.  It is too sprawling for a border plant.  Blooms all summer with fragrant flowers and foliage.  Both the soft lavender-blue flowers and the green foliage are aromatic on these 61 cm (2') tall plants. Sow seeds indoors in February and March, and transplant or direct sow in April and May.  Catnip seeds can be directly sown in September for spring growing.
Planting Instructions: 
  • Sow seed directly outside in a sunny spot in May.  Barely cover seeds and keep the soil moist through the 7-14 day germination period. Thin Catnip plants in the garden to 25 cm (10") apart.   Catnip will self-sow and establish persistent stands.
  • Soil Conditions:  Well worked loose soil.  Sow on the soil surface or barely covered with perlite or soil.
  • Planting Depth:   Surface Seed. Barely cover the seeds with soil.
  • Height at Maturity: Height: 61cm (24”). Spread: Varying.
  • Days to Maturity:  80-110 days. Pick when plant is able to support harvesting.
  • Sun/Shade: Full Sun    
  • Spacing after Thinning: Thin plants in the garden to 25 cm (10") apart.
Additional Information
Open pollinated-untreated seeds.  The leaves can be used in sauces, tea, and salads.  Catnip flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Most cats find the plants irresistible; we have page wire cages surrounding our Catnip plants to prevent the seemingly endless nocturnal cats from destroying them.  Catnip has a history of use as a beverage and a medicinal tea.  When growing the plant for this purpose, mature leaves should be collected while they are still fresh and dried in the shade for several days. One teaspoon of the dried herb is then added to each cup of boiling water and allowed to steep.
What cats are fond of is a component of the mint’s oil called nepetalactone.  It has been reported that the cat experiences a marijuana or LSD-type response. This response, luckily for the cat is without any of the risks and is simply getting high without any of the consequences associated with that action. It is estimated that about 1/3 of the cats lack this gene responsible for the reaction.