How to Grow Catnip: A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods and Precautions

When people mention catnip, the first thing everyone thinks of is surely cats! In fact, catnip really does have countless ties to cats. Many people jokingly call catnip “cat drugs,” because after cats use catnip they display a hilarious state of being “high.” So how exactly do you grow this interesting catnip? Let's find out together below!

How to Grow Catnip

1. Sowing

Catnip can be sown directly from seed, with 1-3 seeds per hole. After sowing, the seeds can be covered with vermiculite. If the temperature is between 18-22 degrees, they will sprout in 10-14 days. After sowing, avoid direct sunlight and place them in a shaded spot.

2. Germination

You can prepare a tray, put soil in the tray, then place the seeds in the tray and spray some water evenly. Then place the tray in an incubator, set the incubator to 25 degrees, and after 24 to 30 hours of constant-temperature cultivation, the catnip will sprout.

Catnip Planting Methods

1. Soil: Catnip is suited to well-drained soil, with moderate fertilization. An appropriate amount of slow-release fertilizer can be applied, plus a thin liquid fertilizer once or twice a week. Catnip is best planted in a flowerpot of moderate size; the pot should not be too small, as a pot that is too small will affect its growth. The soil mix is one-third humus soil and two-thirds garden soil.

2. Sowing: Catnip can be sown directly from seed, with 1-3 seeds per hole. After sowing, the seeds can be covered with vermiculite. If the temperature is between 18-22 degrees, they will sprout in 10-14 days. After sowing, avoid direct sunlight and place them in a shaded spot.

3. Germination method: You can prepare a tray, put soil in the tray, then place the seeds in the tray and spray some water evenly. Then place the tray in an incubator, set the incubator to 25 degrees, and after 24 to 30 hours of constant-temperature cultivation, the catnip will sprout.

4. Watering: In summer, when temperatures are high, water every day. Mint prefers moist conditions, and in winter water should be controlled. The suitable temperature for seed germination is 15-20℃, and the lifespan of the seeds is generally 1 year. The root system is fairly sensitive to moisture, so guard against waterlogging; between two waterings, let the potting soil dry out completely.

5. Light: Full sun is best; insufficient light will cause leggy growth.

Precautions for Growing Catnip

1. Pruning

Catnip is very vining, so it is best to plant it in a flowerpot. However, catnip must be pruned regularly; the more frequently it is pruned, the better it will grow. It also produces small blue-purple flowers, so be a diligent gardener!

2. Pest and disease control

Generally, catnip is not affected by pests or diseases, so there is usually no need to use insecticides; simply water once with a fungicide after transplanting.

The Effect of Catnip on Cats and Felines

About 50% of cats are very interested in the smell of this plant's leaves and like to grab and bite them, but this does not mean cats must consume catnip to stay healthy. In fact, catnip is a plant that causes hallucinations. After eating it, some cats show temporary (5-15 minutes) behavioral changes, such as sneezing, chewing, rubbing, rolling, meowing, and talking gibberish. Some cats chase imaginary mice after eating catnip, while others sit blankly staring into space. These behaviors do not cause any harm, and catnip is not addictive. In short, catnip has no real benefit or harm to a cat's health. There are examples showing that catnip has the same effect on tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, and lynxes. But its effect on lions seems limited.

As described above, friends who keep pet cats at home can grow a pot of catnip! Letting your little cat use it occasionally lets you see some very funny scenes. However, every cat reacts differently to catnip; some become unusually happy and excited, so if you have multiple cats at home, it is best not to let them use it together, to avoid scuffles.