The real catnip (bot. Nepeta cataria), also known as cat balm or cat herb, not only attracts four-legged furry friends with its scent, but is also a beautiful perennial for the natural or herb garden. Rather inconspicuous outside of the flowering period, the plant shines with its lush flowers in the most beautiful colors. Another plus point: Catnip successfully keeps numerous pests away and is therefore ideal as a protective companion plant for sensitive species, for example in rose beds.
What is special about catnip in the garden?
Catmint (Nepeta cataria) is an attractive perennial that is particularly suitable for herb and natural gardens. Not only does it attract cats, but it also attracts beneficial insects and keeps pests away. The plant prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil.
Origin and distribution
The real catnip belongs to the catnip genus (bot. Nepeta), which includes around 250 different, deciduous species of perennials. The majority of these are native to Asia and Africa, but have also been released into the wild in Europe since the middle of the 18th century. For this reason, catnip can be found in some regions of Germany primarily on the edges of fields and paths. The various species occur naturally primarily in dry locations, but also on moist mountain slopes or in forests. Of the numerous species, around 20 are planted as ornamental plants in our gardens. They are popular primarily because of their long and intense flowering period as well as their usefulness as insect pastures - not to mention that they are very easy to care for plants.
Usage
Low-growing species of the genus such as Nepeta racemosa are wonderful for bordering beds, as they form dense cushions and thus create a beautiful purple or white flowering frame. Higher-growing varieties are perfect rose companions due to their delicate growth, especially as they keep annoying pests away. Therefore, species such as blue mint are very suitable as a substitute for lavender. But be careful: cats like to roll around in the plant, which they find irresistible, and in this way can destroy beds that have been carefully maintained. To prevent this behavior, it is best to use the lemon-scented common catnip (bot. Nepeta cataria), as this species is avoided by four-legged friends.
Catnip in the garden
Catnips only reveal their beauty at second glance, which is why they are perfect for a frame or background planting. The mostly blue-violet or white-flowering species accompany roses or create a calming counterpoint to striking perennials such as the orange torch lily. In general, lushly flowering, tall, magnificent perennials or large-leaved plants go perfectly with the more delicate and small-leaved catnip. Furthermore, the different species look good not only in natural and medicinal gardens, but also in boxes and pots on the balcony or terrace.
Effect on animals
The flowers of catnip in particular contain the fragrance nepetalactone, which is very similar to the sexual attractant of some insect species and therefore magically attracts them. These are often beneficial insects such as the lacewing, which cannot resist the pheromone-like scent. Lacewings are important helpers in combating aphids, which primarily attack roses.
Cats also find catnip very attractive - hence the German species name - and often enjoy rolling around in this herb. This in turn is due to the ingredient actinidin, which is also excreted in the urine of non-neutered female cats and therefore attracts and intoxicates male cats in particular. But be careful: catnip has such a beguiling effect on some animals that the four-legged friends become aggressive. If you observe such behavior in your cat, you should refrain from planting it in the garden as a precaution.
Even though the herb is irresistibly attractive to many animals, the scent reliably deters others. Pests such as mosquitoes, fleas or cockroaches in particular flee from the lemony scent. Furthermore, catnip is particularly suitable in the form of aromatic oil to deter rats.
Effect on people
Many of the catnip species known today have their home in the Mediterranean region and spread throughout almost all of Europe with the Romans and their campaigns of conquest. Nepeta cataria found a welcome home here and was cultivated in monastery and farm gardens over 1000 years ago for its healing properties. Medieval scholars and healers such as Hildegard von Bingen described Nepeta cataria, its effects and applications in great detail. Common catnip was used for many purposes, such as stomach problems and flatulence, relieving infections, cleaning wounds or calming nervous conditions. In the garden, however, Nepeta cataria with its white flowers is rather inconspicuous, so other species are usually used here. Incidentally, the subspecies Nepeta cataria ssp is particularly recommended as a tea herb. citriodora.
How to make catnip tea
As a tea, Nepeta cataria has a sleep-inducing, pain-relieving and fever-reducing effect. To prepare it, take two tablespoons of the dried leaves, pour hot (but not yet boiling!) water over them and let the broth steep for five minutes. Depending on your taste, the refreshingly lemony-minty tea can be sweetened with honey. If you have a toothache, however, a few fresh leaves that you chew thoroughly will help.read more
Appearance and growth
Catnips belong to the mint family (bot. Lamiaceae) and are divided into low and taller growing species. The leaves are silver gray to fresh green and are arranged opposite each other on the stems, so that there are always two leaves at the same height. The whole plant smells very intensely of lemon and mint.
The short varieties of catnip only grow to a height of between 20 and 30 centimeters, but they grow widely and can develop into lush cushions over time. These varieties are particularly suitable for edging beds or for underground planting in perennial borders.
With an average height of up to 60 centimeters, the representatives of the Nepeta-Faassenii variety group, which are crosses between Nepeta racemosa, Nepeta nepetella and other species, are slightly larger. These varieties bloom a little later than the smaller representatives and have a looser structure. The foliage is usually silver gray in color. With a height of around 120 centimeters, the varieties of the gray-leaved variety group Nepeta grandiflora, the large-flowered catnip, are significantly taller.
Bloom and flowering time
Most catnip species show their blossoms between April and July, although the flowering period can be extended further by targeted, timely pruning. Depending on the species and variety, the plants bloom purple, blue, white or pink, with their filigree labial flowers numerous in narrow inflorescences. These sit on flower stalks up to one and a half meters high.
Toxicity
Contrary to the fears of many garden and cat owners, catnip is neither poisonous to humans nor animals - even if it can sometimes cause intoxication-like states and should therefore only be used in careful doses. Instead, the young leaves and flowers can be used both medicinally and in the kitchen. The slightly sweet and mint-tasting parts of the plant are ideal for smoothies, salads and summer desserts.
Location and soil
With the exception of a few species, catnips prefer a full sun to sunny location in the garden - just like their natural location in Africa or Asia. Otherwise, the perennials feel comfortable in nutrient-rich, well-drained and sandy to loamy garden soil. This ideally has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH value between six and seven. The subsoil should be loose and not compacted, as catnip, like so many other plants, does not tolerate waterlogging.
Planting catnip correctly
Catnips grow just as well outdoors as they do in a balcony box or other planter - provided they are in a sunny spot. Since the small perennials can grow very wide - some species even form runners - the planting distance should be around 30 centimeters, or even more for the taller varieties. Therefore, expect around three to eight plants per square meter of planting area, depending on the type and variety. When planted in a container, however, the catnips can be a little closer together. Before planting, dip the root ball in a bucket of water so that it can soak up moisture.read more
Watering and fertilizing
Most catnip species - not all - are very drought-tolerant plants that can survive without watering for long periods of time. You should only use a watering can if the water is very hot or dry, but you should definitely avoid waterlogging. Specimens cultivated in pots, on the other hand, rely on a regular supply of water and are always watered when the top layer of substrate has dried. Water in the saucer or planter must always be removed promptly as the plants react very sensitively to it. Fertilization is basically only necessary for potted plants that you can supply with a low-dose liquid fertilizer for flowering plants during the main growing season.
Cut catnip correctly
After the main flowering - for most species and varieties this ends between July and August - cut the catnip back once and remove the withered shoots. The plants then develop a second bloom, a second bloom, which can last well into autumn. If you want or need to hinder the spread of the plants, cut them back again in early spring.read more
Propagate catnip
You have various options for specifically propagating catnip. In addition to the vegetative forms - for example through cuttings or division - you can also use purchased or self-collected seeds. After flowering, the perennials develop inconspicuous seeds that contain up to four seeds and through which the plants self-sow.
Sowing
Sow the seeds in a shallow container with a nutrient-poor growing medium, cover them very lightly with soil and place them in a warm and bright place. The seeds germinate best at constant temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius. Keep the substrate slightly moist using a mister. After about two to three weeks, the first green tips will appear and as soon as the seedlings have developed at least four leaves, you can transplant them directly outdoors or into planters. However, only move them outdoors from mid to late May when frost nights are no longer expected.
Propagation by cuttings
However, it is quicker and easier to propagate using cuttings that you cut either between April and May or in early autumn. The shoots should be around five to seven centimeters long and the lower leaves should also be removed. Either root the little ones in a glass of water (change the water daily!) or plant them straight away in a container with a nutrient-poor growing substrate. The latter is more recommended because it is easier. Transfer the young plants to a nutrient-rich substrate or to the desired outdoor location as soon as they begin to develop their own new shoots. However, this should not be done before mid to late May due to the risk of frost.
Share
Since catnips are perennial and often vigorous plants, they can be easily propagated by division. In any case, this procedure is recommended every three to four years to keep the plants young and strong. Divide catnip by cutting out clumps of the desired size with a sharp, clean spade in early spring or early fall, lifting them out and replanting them in a new location. Before replanting, dip the roots of the partial plants in a bucket of water to make it easier for them to take root.read more
Wintering
Although many catnips come from rather warm climes, they are still extremely frost hardy in this country and very insensitive to the harsh winter weather conditions. Therefore - except for cuttings - no special protective measures are necessary for overwintering. You should only overwinter specimens cultivated in pots indoors, frost-free, but cool and bright.
Diseases and pests
Catnip is very resistant to diseases and pests because all parts of the plant contain the active ingredient nepetalactone. This has both an antiviral and antimicrobial effect and reliably drives away annoying pests - with one exception: slugs like to eat catnip, which is why you should protect a planting with snail fences or even slug pellets (€9.00 on Amazon).
Tip
If you would like to plant catnip in your garden but can no longer spare a sunny location, simply plant the Japanese catnip (bot. Nepeta subsessilis) or the Chinese scorpionfish (bot. Nepeta prattii) in a sunny location still bright place.
Species and varieties
The following types and varieties of catnip are particularly popular in the garden and for pot cultivation:
- Nepeta cataria 'Citriodora': strong lemon scent, perfect for making tea, bushy growth up to 60 centimeters high, numerous white flower spikes between July and August, good re-bloom
- Nepeta x faassenii 'Alba': white-flowered variety with gray-green foliage and bushy growth, height up to 30 centimeters, flowering period May to August, suitable for dry locations
- Nepeta x faassenii 'Dropmore': compact growing perennial up to 60 centimeters high with rather loose growth and violet-blue flower clusters between May and August
- Nepeta x faassenii 'Gletschereis': he althy, very robust variety with numerous whitish-blue flower clusters between May and August, bushy growth with heights of up to approx. 50 centimeters
- Nepeta x faassenii 'Kit Cat': bushy-growing, low-growing variety, up to a maximum of 30 centimeters high, many blue-violet to blue flower spikes between May and August
- Nepeta x faassenii 'Senior': low-growing variety with growth heights of up to 30 centimeters, cushion-like growth, good re-blooming, numerous blue-violet flowers between May and August
- Nepeta x faassenii 'Six Hills Giant': densely bushy, older and proven variety, up to 80 centimeters high, numerous violet-blue flowers between May and August
- Nepeta grandiflora 'Blue Danube': Variety of large-flowered catnip, bushy growth with heights of up to approx. 80 centimeters, numerous violet-blue flower spikes between June and August
- Nepeta grandiflora 'Bramdean': Variety of large-flowered catnip, bushy growth with heights of up to approx. 90 centimeters, numerous large, dark purple flower spikes between June and September
- Nepeta grandiflora 'Zinser's Giant': Variety of large-flowered catnip, bushy, loosely branched growth with heights of up to 80 centimeters, many blue-violet flower panicles
- Nepeta grandiflora 'Dawn to Dusk': loose, bushy growing variety, up to approx. 80 centimeters high, numerous delicate pink flower spikes between June and August
- Nepeta nervosa: also veined catnip, up to 30 centimeters high and just as wide, blooms between July and August in numerous light blue-violet flower spikes
- Nepeta nervosa 'Snow Bunny': loose, compact growth with heights of up to approx. 30 centimeters, striking pure white flower spikes between June and September, perfect as a rose companion
- Nepeta racemosa 'Grog': Variety of grape catnip, particularly richly flowering variety with good re-blooming, numerous blue-violet flower panicles between May and August, bushy, low growth up to approx. 30 centimeters high
- Nepeta racemosa 'Odeur Citron': pretty, low-growing variety with blue-violet flowers between May and August, maximum 30 centimeters high, cushion-like growth
- Nepeta racemosa 'Snowflake': cushion-like growing variety, a maximum of approx. 30 centimeters high and just as wide, many white flower spikes between May and August
- Nepeta sibirica: strong-growing species with a preference for moist soils, up to 80 centimeters high, violet-blue flower spikes between June and July, good subsequent blooms, forming runners
- Nepeta subsessilis 'Sweet Dreams': bushy growing variety with light pink flowers for partially shaded locations, height up to around 60 centimeters, lush flowers between June and September
