Guide to growing Catnip - Nepeta

Nepeta are bushy hardy perennials that range from 15 to 90cm in height.

They have an abundance if small purple, yellow, blue or white flowers that bloom from the end of spring and throughout summer.

Their size makes Nepeta useful as an edging plant or for use at the front of a border.

Some common names for Nepeta include Catnip and Catmint.

As the name implies these plants are loved by cats. The leaves and flowers can be dried for later use by pet lovers.

How to grow Catnip

The seeds of catnip can be sown outside in the early months of spring. Lightly cover the seed once sown. Catnip and other Nepeta like to grow in a light sandy soil; ideally the pH will be slightly acidic to neutral (5.5 to 7). Catnip can grow in either sunny or partially shaded parts of the garden.

When first growing Catnip and catmint indoors then start about 10 weeks in advance. It should take about one to three weeks to germinate at 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Once ready the plants should be spaced at about 20 to 60cm apart (depending on Nepeta species size) in the garden either in the autumn or before the last frost of spring.

Caring for catnip

It is easy to maintain catmint, catnip and other Nepeta species; they are drought tolerant. For continuous blooming cut back after flowering before seed is produced.