Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a tough, hardy perennial in the mint family. Its scent compound nepetalactone delights cats while repelling many insects. The leaves make a mildly calming herbal tea, and the flowers are a magnet for bees.

Güncellendi:

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.

Işık

Full sun to light partial shade — the sunnier, the more aromatic.

Sulama

Water moderately and let it dry back. Once established it is drought-tolerant; waterlogging causes root rot.

Sıcaklık

Undemanding, 15–27 °C ideal; hardy well into frost.

Nem

Normal outdoor/indoor air; prefers airy over muggy.

Yönteme ve evreye göre hedef değerler

Toprak
Evre pH EC (mS/cm) Su °C Hava °C Nem % Işık s Süre (gün)
Çimlenme 6–7 18–22 55–70 14 10
Vejetatif 6–7.5 15–27 40–65 14 55
Çiçeklenme 6–7.5 15–27 40–65 15 40
Hidro
Evre pH EC (mS/cm) Su °C Hava °C Nem % Işık s Süre (gün)
Vejetatif 5.5–6.5 1–1.6 18–22 18–26 45–65 14 55
Hindistan cevizi
Evre pH EC (mS/cm) Su °C Hava °C Nem % Işık s Süre (gün)
Vejetatif 5.8–6.3 1–1.6 18–26 45–65 14 55

Sık görülen sorunlar

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 (Toprak)
≥ 5 L
Min. container (Hidro)
≥ 5 L
Min. container (Hindistan cevizi)
≥ 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 Vejetatif — fresh or dried for tea, salads, as a seasoning

Verim teknikleri

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

Florabase

Florabase ile pH, EC ve tüm ölçümleri kaydedebilirsiniz — sonsuza kadar ücretsiz.

Ücretsiz Başla