Catnip

Latin name: Nepeta cataria

🌱 Days to Sprout: 10-14 

😋 Plant food: after true leaves 

✂️ Thin to: 3 plants per yCube

🍅 Days to Maturity: 40-50

💡 Light Zone: Minimum

📏 Plant Size: 1 ft

💚 Care Level: Beginner

Catnip is an herb in the mint family native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its Latin name, Nepeta cataria, is derived from Neptic, the ancient Etrurian city where people first cultivated it. People have long used Catnip in medicinal teas, even before large importations of Chinese tea made its way across Europe in the early 1600s. 

Catnip works its magic by producing Nepetalactone, the chemical that excites our feline friends. Some cat owners report a stimulating effect on their pets, while others report relaxation. Nepetalactone is also a potent insect repellent.

You and your pets can try Catnip leaves and flowers dried or fresh. While it is unclear if Catnip is safe for humans when consumed in large quantities, small amounts taken orally or steeped in tea can have soothing, anxiety-calming effects.

💡Temperature: Prefers cooler temperatures (60-70°F).

✂️ Pruning: Remove leaves with brown spots if they appear. Check the roots monthly and trim any that are brown or extending past the yPod. 

🌿 Harvest: Harvesting frequently helps prolong the plant's life. Pinch off individual leaves, or use clean shears to cut stems above growth nodes. Find growth nodes just above the two largest leaves on a stem. You should see another, small set of leaves or knobs (nodes) growing between the stem and larger set of leaves. Cut the stem 1/4-1/2″ above the nodes and watch the small leaves grow large!

Recipe Source: Champagne Tastes

Catnip Base

• 20 fresh catnip leaves (use more for extra flavor!)

• 2 cups water

• 1 tsp sugar or honey (optional), to taste

• 2 lemon slices (optional), to serve

Herbal Tea Variations

Try adding one variation to your catnip base, or mix and match with multiple!

• 2-3 sprigs fresh Mint, any variety

• 2-3 springs fresh Thyme, any variety

• 2 sprigs fresh Rosemary

1. Bring tea water to a boil.  Pour into a teapot or a French Press.

2. Crush leaves with your hands to release oil and then add them to the teapot, or add them to the pot and use a cocktail muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to crush them.

3. Add any additional ingredients (except lemon).

4. Cover pot and steep for 10-15 minutes.

5. Serve hot, with lemon if desired.  

Tip: For iced tea, make a larger batch of tea, let the tea cool slightly, and then store in a pitcher or glass jar in the fridge. Use within 2-3 days.

Our Plant Health & Nutrition Team thoroughly tests each variety we offer to bring you the most flavorful and high-quality plants. We regularly rotate our plant portfolio, so please note, availability varies.