Welcome to Lawnmowing99! I’m so glad you stopped by. If you’re a cat lover and want to create the perfect herb garden for your feline friends, you’re in the right place. One of my personal favorite herbs to grow is catnip—and not just because it makes for happy cats, but because it’s an easy-to-grow plant that brings so much joy to both pets and gardeners alike.
Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of successes and challenges when it comes to growing catnip. I’ve learned through trial and error what works and what doesn’t, and I want to share that information with you. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newbie, I’ll walk you through my step-by-step process for growing catnip and give you plenty of practical tips to help you succeed in your herb garden.
But before we dive in, be sure to like, share, and subscribe so you don’t miss out on more helpful gardening information and tips right here at Lawnmowing99. Now, let’s talk about how to grow catnip for happy cats!
Why Grow Catnip in Your Herb Garden?
Let me start by saying this: if you have a cat, you need to grow catnip. It’s the ultimate treat for your feline friends. Most cats absolutely love it, and even if yours isn’t one of the lucky few who go wild for catnip, it’s still a fantastic addition to your herb garden. Over the years, I’ve learned that catnip isn’t just about providing entertainment for my cats—it’s a wonderful herb that’s easy to care for and can even be used in a variety of ways for humans, too!
Catnip is a member of the mint family, so it’s hardy, resilient, and can thrive in various growing conditions. I’ve found that once you get the basics down, catnip grows almost effortlessly. But there are a few things I wish I’d known when I first started, so let me share those insights with you.
My First Experience Growing Catnip
I first decided to grow catnip a few years ago when I noticed how much my cats went crazy over store-bought catnip toys and treats. I thought, “Why not grow this stuff myself? It’ll save me a trip to the store and provide fresh catnip whenever I need it.”
What I didn’t realize at the time was how easy catnip is to grow—and how quickly it can take over a garden if you’re not careful. My first attempt was a bit of a disaster. I planted catnip in a small patch of my herb garden and didn’t think much of it. Within just a few weeks, I had an explosion of lush, green catnip leaves and blossoms. I was thrilled—but then, I realized I hadn’t factored in how much space the plant needed. Catnip spreads quickly and can quickly become invasive if it’s not kept in check.
After that experience, I learned a couple of important lessons: Catnip loves to spread, so it’s best to either plant it in a container or give it its own designated space in the garden. And, of course, I quickly learned that my cats absolutely adored the fresh catnip.
Growing Catnip: The Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s what I’ve learned over the years about how to grow catnip in your herb garden for happy cats:
1. Choose the Right Spot
The first step in successfully growing catnip is choosing the right location. Catnip thrives in full sun, so I always make sure to plant it in a spot that gets at least 4–6 hours of direct sunlight a day. I once tried growing catnip in a partially shaded area, and while it grew, it wasn’t nearly as vibrant or aromatic as the plants I’ve grown in full sun.
Catnip also likes well-drained soil, so if your garden has clay-heavy or soggy soil, I’d recommend planting it in a raised bed or container. This way, you can control the soil quality and drainage. Trust me—catnip doesn’t like wet feet!
2. Planting the Seeds or Starts
When I first started growing catnip, I experimented with both seeds and starter plants. I’ve found that starting with young plants from a nursery or garden center is a bit quicker and easier if you’re new to gardening. However, growing from seed can be very rewarding, and I’ve successfully done it many times.
If you’re starting from seeds, I recommend sowing them indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Catnip seeds need light to germinate, so don’t bury them too deep—just gently press them into the soil. Once they’ve germinated and are large enough to handle, transplant them into your garden or container.
If you’re using starter plants, make sure you plant them in the spring or early summer, after the danger of frost has passed. Space the plants about 12–18 inches apart to give them room to grow. Catnip is a spreading plant, so it will need space to stretch its legs!
3. Watering and Care
Catnip is a low-maintenance herb once established, but it does need regular watering while it’s getting started. I’ve found that the best way to water catnip is to give it a deep soaking, then let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. This mimics the natural conditions it would grow in, and it helps the roots establish themselves. Overwatering can cause problems, like root rot, so it’s better to err on the side of slightly dry than too wet.
If you’re growing catnip in a container, you’ll need to monitor the soil more closely. I like to check the moisture level with my finger to see if it’s time to water. If the top inch or so of soil feels dry, it’s time to give the plant a good drink.
4. Harvesting Catnip
One of the best parts about growing catnip is harvesting it. Once your plants are large enough, you can start picking the leaves and flowers. I usually cut the top third of the plant to promote new growth. My cats go absolutely wild for the fresh leaves, so I often dry a portion of the harvest for later use and give them the rest to enjoy right away.
Drying catnip is simple—just hang the stems upside down in a cool, dry place, and in about a week, you’ll have dried catnip to store. I’ve found that drying catnip enhances its scent and potency, making it even more irresistible to my cats.
5. Controlling the Spread
As I mentioned earlier, catnip is very prolific. If you don’t want it to take over your herb garden, I highly recommend planting it in a container. This keeps the roots contained and prevents it from spreading everywhere. I also keep an eye on it and prune back any wayward stems to keep it from taking over other plants in the garden.
In the past, I learned this the hard way. One summer, I let my catnip grow unchecked, and by the end of the season, it was so sprawling that it choked out a few other herbs I had planted nearby. A little bit of regular maintenance goes a long way!
My Successes and Challenges with Growing Catnip
Growing catnip has definitely been a rewarding experience. I’ve been able to make my cats happier with fresh, homegrown catnip, and I love having an herb in my garden that’s both easy to grow and useful. I’ve also used dried catnip in DIY toys and gifts for friends with cats.
That said, I’ve faced my share of challenges too. One year, I neglected to prune my catnip, and it grew so large that it toppled over in a storm. I learned the importance of regular maintenance, and since then, I’ve kept my plants pruned back and well-supported.
Conclusion
If you have cats and are looking for a way to make them happier—and if you want to add a low-maintenance, highly rewarding herb to your garden—growing catnip is definitely the way to go. With a little attention to its needs, you’ll soon have fresh, aromatic leaves for your furry friends, and a beautiful herb to add to your garden.
Thanks so much for joining me at Lawnmowing99. If you found this information helpful, be sure to like, share, and subscribe so you can get more gardening tips and tricks in the future. Happy gardening, and here’s to happy cats!