Catnip is an herb known for its euphoric effect on cats. This plant also has a sedative effect on humans and the extracted essential oil can be used as a tea blend. Catnip also has medical benefits for treating headaches, nausea, and helping with anxiety or sleep disorders. The floral scent also attracts bees and other pollinating insects, which is great for the environment. Because catnip belongs to the same species as min, it is easy to grow, lives all year round, and thrives in many areas.
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Part 1 of 3: Growing Catnip from Seed
Step 1. Purchase catnip seeds
Local plant stores and gardening stores usually sell seeds and small catnip plants that are ready for planting. You may also be able to find catnip seeds at a pet store.
If you want to save money or you know someone who has catnip plants, try asking them for seeds or plants
Step 2. Plant the seeds in the ground
Catnip seeds can be planted directly in the garden. The climate in Indonesia allows you to plant catnip at any time. Plant the seeds about 3 mm below the soil and space them at least 40 cm apart.
- Water the seeds well during the germination period. This usually takes up to 10 days.
- By the end of this period, you should start to see buds.
Step 3. Plant the seeds indoors
If you want to grow catnip indoors, use separate small pots or in nursery containers. Make sure the seeds get enough sunlight to prevent the plant from growing tall and with sparse leaves. If there is not enough sunlight, install a neon light on it. Water the seeds well during the germination period. Once the plant has reached a height of 10-15 cm, you can safely transfer it to the garden.
- If you plant it in the rainy season, you should place the pot near a window that gets sunlight, at least 6 hours a day. You can move the plant into the garden once the weather is favorable.
- Plants planted in cool weather tend to produce thicker leaves.
Part 2 of 3: Planting Seedlings
Step 1. Choose a location that gets full sun, unless you live in a hot and dry area
In most areas, catnip likes lots of sun. If the climate in your area is hot and dry, look for a location where catnip can get some protection from the sun during the afternoon. Catnip will need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun, but in very hot areas, the sun can damage the leaves when it is at its peak.
- Catnip thrives outdoors, but thrives best indoors if you keep it near a window that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
- If you want to grow plants indoors, place the pot within 1 meter of a window that is exposed to sunlight.
- Or, you can grow catnip indoors, away from windows, if you have strong plant neon lights.
Step 2. Leave about 45-50 cm between the plants
Use a growing medium if you are growing it in a pot, or soil from the garden. The soil must have good drainage. So, do not use soil that is too rich or dense. Like most herbs, catnip will thrive in poor soil. Leave about 45-50 cm between seedlings or young plants so that the catnip has enough room to grow, without crowding.
- The plant may look skinny when first planted, but catnip will need room to grow and will be lush in no time.
- Catnip can grow in almost any type of soil, but tends to be more fragrant if planted in sandy soil.
- Water the catnip often when it's just planted. After two weeks, or after the plant has adapted to the displacement and begins to grow, simply water when the soil is dry to a depth of a few centimeters.
Step 3. Consider growing catnip in a pot
Once established, catnip can grow aggressively, and can take over entire gardens. To prevent this, plant it in a controllable location, such as in a yard bordered by a permanent stone wall. If you don't have a location like this, use a pot so you can fully control the growth of the catnip.
- If you want to create a herb garden, but don't want to risk catnip taking over your entire garden, plant catnip in a pot, then bury the pot in the ground.
- Planting catnip in a pot and then burying it in the ground will help limit and control it so it doesn't spread throughout the garden.
- Watch for any new shoots that may try to grow beyond the limits of the pot. Remove new shoots if you see them, and don't put too much soil over the pot when burying them.
Part 3 of 3: Raising and Harvesting Catnip
Step 1. Allow the soil to dry before watering
Catnip likes dry soil and the roots will rot if the soil is too wet. When watering, make sure the entire soil is wet and that water can reach the roots completely. Allow the soil to dry completely before carrying out the next watering. Test the soil by touching it to be sure.
- If the soil feels damp or wet, skip watering the plant and check again a few hours later or the next day.
- Catnip is tough and quite drought tolerant. So you may have to be careful not to water too often. This is more worrying than not giving him enough water.
Step 2. Prune the plant and remove dead flowers to encourage new growth
After the first flowers bloom and fall, remove the bare flower stalks. Prune the plant by about a third to help produce new shoots and flowers. Remove dry or dead leaves regularly.
By pruning and removing dead flowers, the plant will grow thicker and produce more regular flowers
Step 3. Divide the roots of the plant
You can propagate or form new plants by dividing the roots. Dig up a group of plants, at least two or three stems, or remove the plants from the pot if you are growing them in containers. Soak the roots until they are completely wet. Use a spade or garden knife to divide the roots in half, then replant them separately.
- Water the plants often after you divide them. Don't let the roots dry out as you normally would with catnip plants.
- Dividing plant roots can help prevent plants from growing too large, renewing plants that are in poor condition, or simply sharing them with friends.
Step 4. Protect the plant from being damaged by cats
Of course cats are attracted to catnip and love to nibble on leaves and lie in the bushes of plants. If you have a cat that lives outdoors, don't plant catnip near fragile flowers or plants as cats can damage them. If you are growing catnip in a pot, avoid placing it in a place where it can easily roll over or break.
Consider using fence posts, wire, or bamboo sticks to support the plant and prevent cats from lying on the plant
Step 5. Pick and dry the leaves
To harvest catnip, pluck the leaves that are growing at the bottom of the stem or just above the base of the leaf, or cut the entire stem of the plant. Cutting the stems just above the leaf base or where new leaves sprout from the stem will encourage new growth more quickly. Drying catnip naturally is the best method for preserving leaves.
- Place the leaves on a paper towel under a window sill exposed to the sun for 2-3 days.
- If you cut the entire stem, hang it upside down in a cool location for a few weeks.
- Make sure that the cat cannot access the leaves that are being dried. Consider an enclosed space to prevent the cat from jumping to reach it.
- Once dry, store the leaves in an airtight container.
