Catnip Seeds

Scientifically known as nepeta cataria, catnip is a plant belonging to the mint family called Lamiaceae or Labiatae. It is a perennial plant which is native to North America and grows up to a height of 2 to 3 feet. The plant bears dark green oval toothed foliage, which have a lemon-mint flavor and scent. It generally blooms white or purplish blue flowers clustered together. However, there are some uncommon catnip plant varieties that possess yellow colored flowers also.

For its strong aroma and flavor, the herb is commonly used in cooking, especially in preparing herbal teas. Catnip is also quite effective in treating cold and cough symptoms. This was just a brief account on catnip plant, now before moving on to growing organic catnip seeds, let us first try to understand why this herb is so popular amongst cats.

Catnip Plant and Cats

The most attractive feature of catnip plant is that it is known to cause notorious or stimulating effects in cats. Basically, catnip leaves, flower, oil, etc., stimulate the cats pheromonic receptor, which make the cats enter a temporary euphoric state. The cat will like to chew, roll over and play with the plant. It is the plant's strong smell which makes the cat go wild with excitement. However, this excited or euphoric state may last only for a couple of minutes till she becomes used to the smell. Catnip basically acts as a mood enhance for cats and so after a half an hour or so the cat may come back and will show the same excitement. Though most of the cats go crazy with the smell, some cats remain totally unaffected. Another good point is that the catnip is safe, natural and non addictive and even if your cat is nibbling on its dried leaves, it causes no harm at all.

Growing Catnip Seeds

Catnip is easy to grow and is not at all fussy about its growing requirements. You can grow nepeta seeds either in pots or in your garden. However, while planting the seeds directly in your garden, ensure that all danger of frost has passed. The plant can grow well in any type of soil, however, for best results a well drained soil rich with organic matter can be a good option. Moist the soil and plant the seeds not very deep into the soil, just about 1/8 inch or so. Seeds will germinate in 7 - 10 days from planting.

The plant thrives well in full sun to partial shade and requires a little fertilizer at the time of planting for maximum growth. For bushy growth, once the plant grows a few inches, pinch back the shoots and its new leaves. Somewhere in midsummer, the catnip will flower and drop seeds to give you new baby plants each year. Harvest the top leaves, stems and flowers once the flowers begin to bloom and use them fresh, dried or even frozen. However, in order to have an ease of having fresh catnip without the worry of neighboring cats destroying it, it is better to plant the catnip on hanging pots or containers.

Catnip is an aggressive, fast growing plant which usually tends to crowd its neighboring plants. Hence, to avoid this, make sure you either give them enough space or surround it with a border edging. Catnip is a tougher plant than many other garden plants. In fact, if its roots are well established, the plant is practically indestructible.