What it is
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Drives cats wild, calms people as tea, and the flowers feed pollinators. Tough and drought-tolerant.
How to grow it
It wants full sun to part shade, water it low, and give it average, well-drained soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 18 in apart. Expect roughly Cut as needed. Hardy perennial.
How it's used
Catnip is used: tea; cat toy.
🔎 How to identify it
- Gray-green heart-shaped toothed leaves
- Square stems
- Spikes of pale flowers
Edibility
PartsLeaves
UsesTea; cat toy
CautionSpreads like other mints.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.