Important notes
medicinal amounts in pregnancy: Catnip is traditionally regarded as an emmenagogue — avoid large/medicinal amounts (e.g. as tea) in pregnancy. Fine as a culinary herb in normal amounts. ↗
for cats: Nepetalactone sends many cats into euphoria — they roll in it and nibble it. Non-toxic; very large amounts may mildly upset the stomach. Protect the plant or it gets flattened.
Light
Full sun to light partial shade — the sunnier, the more aromatic.
Watering
Water moderately and let it dry back. Once established it is drought-tolerant; waterlogging causes root rot.
Temperature
Undemanding, 15–27 °C ideal; hardy well into frost.
Humidity
Normal outdoor/indoor air; prefers airy over muggy.
Target values by method & stage
| Stage | pH | EC (mS/cm) | Water °C | Air °C | Humidity % | Light h | Duration (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germination | 6–7 | — | — | 18–22 | 55–70 | 14 | 10 |
| Vegetative | 6–7.5 | — | — | 15–27 | 40–65 | 14 | 55 |
| Flowering | 6–7.5 | — | — | 15–27 | 40–65 | 15 | 40 |
| Stage | pH | EC (mS/cm) | Water °C | Air °C | Humidity % | Light h | Duration (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetative | 5.5–6.5 | 1–1.6 | 18–22 | 18–26 | 45–65 | 14 | 55 |
| Stage | pH | EC (mS/cm) | Water °C | Air °C | Humidity % | Light h | Duration (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetative | 5.8–6.3 | 1–1.6 | — | 18–26 | 45–65 | 14 | 55 |
Common problems
Mildew in heat and crowding, root rot in wet soil, and cats rolling in and flattening the plant — protect it with a grid if needed.
Space & Size
- Final height
- 90 cm
- Final width
- 45 cm
- Spacing
- 40 cm
- Root depth
- 30 cm
- Min. container (Soil)
- ≥ 5 L
- Min. container (Hydro)
- ≥ 5 L
- Min. container (Coco)
- ≥ 5 L
Pests & diseases
| Pest / Disease | Symptom | Organic treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | sticky shoot tips (rare — catnip repels many pests) | rinse off, beneficials |
| Spider mites | fine webbing, stippled leaves in dry air | raise humidity, predatory mites, neem |
| Powdery mildew | white powdery coating, often in heat and crowding | thin out, improve airflow, cut back after flowering |
| Root rot | wilting and yellowing in wet, compacted soil | free-draining soil, water less, avoid waterlogging |
Edible parts
- Leaves · edible from Vegetative — fresh or dried for tea, salads, as a seasoning
Yield techniques
Regular harvesting keeps it bushy; nepetalactone peaks just before/at the start of flowering. Cut back by half after bloom → a fresh flush.
Propagation & pollination
- Method
- seed
- Germination time
- 10 days
- Germination temp
- 18-22 °C
- Sowing depth
- 0.5 cm
- Pollination
- cross
- Hand pollination needed
- no
Easy from seed; also from cuttings and division. Press in lightly, light aids germination.
Companion planting
🟢 Good neighbours: Tomato
Flavor
minty-herbal, slightly bitter
Storage
fresh in the fridge; dried airtight for tea
History
Nepeta cataria is native to Europe and Asia and long naturalised worldwide. Used as a medicinal and tea herb since the Middle Ages, before its effect on cats made it famous.
Nutrition
Leaves contain essential oils (nepetalactone); as a tea traditionally mildly calming and digestive.
Sources
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