200+ Catnip Seeds- Nepeta Cataria- Organic Garden Home herb Plant seeds-G001
Catnip (and a few of its close relatives) contain the compound nepetalactone, which is extremely attractive to domestic and wild cats. It has the same effect on leopards, lynxes, and tigers as it does on house cats. Latin Nepeta cataria
NEPETA CATARIA is Not just for cats! Tall pink and white flower spikes are great in fresh and dried arrangements. Use the leaves in salads, sauces, teas, and soups - and of course fresh or dried for the cats! Catnip seeds are a good choice for a bee attractor that works well in containers on cat-free balconies. Protect seedlings from cats.
Nepeta comes from the town Nepete in Italy, where Catmint was cultivated.
Growing Catnip does very well in containers, raised beds, or borders in full sun to partial shade. The main challenge to growing it is protecting it from cats. After the main bloom, plants should be cut back hard to encourage a second bloom and tidy shape.
Exposure: Full sun Zone: 4 Timing Sow seeds indoors in February and March, and transplant or direct sow in April and May. Can also be direct sown where it is to grow in September. Bottom heat will speed germination. Ideal temperature for germination: 21-27°C (70-80°F). Seeds should sprout in 10-20 days. Starting Sow on the soil surface or barely covered with perlite. Thin plants or transplant to 30cm (12″) apart. Keep seedlings well protected from cats!
Harvest To save the summer catmint bounty, harvest when fully grown, and keep the plant picked regularly. Seed Info Usual seed life: 5 years. Companion Planting Attracts pollinators (and cats!), but repels aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles, ants, weevils, and squash bugs.
Medicinal Uses: Catmint has many medicinal uses, including relieving childhood colic; reducing fever in cough remedies Catmint tea is good for nausea and diarrhoea. Add to bath for skin irritation. Catmint reduces fever, induces sleep and perspiration and has been drunk to relieve headache. It was also used as a tranquilliser in ancient Rome, a very old plant! It was once believed that smoking the leaves would produce a mild hallucinogenic effect. Catmint can calm agitated children and diminish nightmares.
All parts of the herb are extremely attractive to cats apparently sending them on hallucinatory “trips” According to Culpepper: ”some claim it does the same to humans if smoked”! Fresh or dried, the leaves make a refreshing and therapeutic tea which is high in Vitamin C and has traditionally been used to treat such conditions as nervousness, insomnia, hyperactivity, colds and fevers. Cut and dry all parts when harvesting for cats. Cut flower stems for floral arrangements.
