Growing Catnip

Growing catnip for your cat or kitten is a great way to keep your kitty content.

Most felines love catnip plant. Using it helps relax and calm energetic cats and kittens. It’s also a wonderful additive to kitten toys, scratching posts and other kitten supplies and is a cat safe plant.

Catnip also has human benefits. It looks great in a garden. The herb produces excellent tea to help with sleep. It can even produce a mild sensation of euphoria in humans in certain amounts as well. And there is some evidence that catnip can act as an effective natural safe insect repellant.

You can grow catnip plant either indoors or outdoors. And growing your own catnip is more economical than purchasing it in the store. Home grown catnip is also fresher and can be more potent than store bought.

What Is Catnip?

Catnip herb is a type of mint native to Asia, Europe, and Africa. True catnip’s technical scientific name is Nepeta Cataria. However, catnip is known by a variety of names: catmint, catswort, and catnep to name just a few.

Catnip photo by cattypumkinhead @ flickr.com

In fact, even tigers and lion are beguiled by its effects. When cats are introduced to catnip and smell it, they often lick or chew it. Then, they may excitedly roll around on the floor, purr, drool or even growl or scratch. This effect lasts only for a few minutes. Afterwards, kitties are relaxed and content.

However, not all felines are susceptible to catnip’s effects. About two-thirds of cats are affected by catnip. Kittens usually under 4-6 months of age are not affected by catnip. So, giving your baby kitten a catnip toy might not illicit much excitement.

Wait until your kitten’s a bit older to introduce at nip toys. Also, older senior cats appear unaffected by catnip as well. A cat’s ability to be entranced by catnip is also based upon heredity. Yes, certain cats are just more attracted to the herb because it’s in their DNA.

Growing Catnip Indoors

Catnip can be grown indoors. This is especially good if you live in an apartment or other area where outdoor space is limited. Indoors catnip needs quite of bit of natural sunlight. So, find your sunniest window and place your catnip plant there.

You can purchase catnip seeds at your local garden center or purchase a small plant to cultivate.

Growing Catnip Outdoors

Catnip photo by cygnus921 @ flickr.com

Remember…growing catnip at home provides the most pungent and fresh form of the herb.

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