Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, catnip is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing catnip.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Yield Per Plant | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Catnip Belong To?
Catnip (Nepata cataria) belongs to the Lamiaceae family, also known as the mint family.
Some of its relatives include basil, spearmint, and oregano. It is also a cousin of catmint (Nepata faassenii), which shares a genus but not a species. Learn more about plant naming conventions in our What is a Plant Family? article here.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Catnip?
The minimum container depth recommended for catnip is 8 inches. The container should also be at least 8 inches wide.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Catnip?
Some of catnip's best companions are as follows:
- Echinacea
- Sage
- Lavender
- Yarrow
- Lamb's ear
- Lemon verbena
- Vervain
- Motherwort
- Dahlia
- Gaillardia
- Toothache plant
- Garlic
- Leek
- Onion
- Shallot
- Ramps
- Eggplant
- Beet
- Chard
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Squash
- Potato
- Cauliflower, bok choy, and other Brassicas
- Lovage
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Catnip?
Catnip is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with catnip are as follows:
- Watercress
- Marshmallow
What Soil Conditions Does Catnip Need?
Catnip needs well-draining soil. It tolerates a wide range of soil fertility and sand/clay levels.
How Long Does Catnip Take to Germinate?
Catnip takes 5-20 days to germinate at a temperature of 60-80°F.
How Much Sun Does Catnip Need?
Catnip can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and catnip grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Catnip Need?
Once established, catnip needs 1 deep watering every 2 weeks. In other words, it should be watered deeply once every other week.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Catnip?
Catnip grows fastest in temperatures of 55-85°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some catnip varieties are bred for late fall harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Catnip Get?
The average height of catnip is 2-3 feet.
It also grows an average of 2-3 feet wide.
Is Catnip Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Catnip is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
How Does Catnip Reproduce?
Catnip reproduces by seed and by runners.
How Much Catnip is Produced Per Plant?
For catnip, how much is produced per plant (also called the yield) largely depends on the type of catnip and the size of the plant.
Most mature catnip plants produce 20-30 leaves per stalk.
Can Catnip Be Ingested?
Catnip leaves and flowers are edible.
Catnip leaves and flowers have nervine and carminative properties and can be used in herbal preparations. In contrast to the stimulating effect it has on cats, catnip typically has a relaxing (sometimes even sedative) effect on humans. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 25% alcohol is suggested for a catnip leaf tincture.
There are no known safety concerns associated with ingesting catnip leaves or flowers.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of catnip rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for catnip here!
Catnip is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: