Are you wondering how to grow catnip indoors and unlock the benefits of this herb right in the comfort of your own home? Look no further! With Gardyn’s support and expertise, you will be able to create a thriving herb garden right at home.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of cultivating catnip indoors. From selecting seeds and ensuring proper germination, to providing the right care and maintenance, you will learn everything you need to know for successful indoor catnip cultivation.
Catnip is well-known for its irresistible lure to cats. But did you know that catnip is also an easy-to-grow houseplant that offers benefits beyond just entertaining felines?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about successfully cultivating catnip indoors, from choosing the right seeds to harvesting leaves for your furry friends or for culinary and medicinal uses
What is Catnip?
Catnip, also known as catmint, is a perennial herb from the Lamiaceae (mint) family. The botanical name is Nepeta cataria. Native to Europe and parts of Asia and Africa, catnip is now naturalized across North America.
Catnip contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone that triggers a euphoric reaction in cats when they inhale its scent. This causes typical catnip-induced behaviors like rolling, pouncing, and playfulness.
In addition to being a feline-attractant, catnip has a long history of use in herbal remedies, as a culinary herb, and also in natural insect repellents. The leaves have a pleasant minty, lemon-tinged flavor.
Growing Conditions for Catnip Indoors
Growing catnip inside is relatively easy as long as you provide the right conditions. Here’s what catnip needs to thrive indoors:
Light
Catnip grows best with full sun – about 6 hours of direct sunlight per day A bright, south-facing window is ideal With insufficient light, growth will be stunted and sparse.
Temperature
Ideal temperatures for growing catnip indoors are between 60-70°F. As a hardy perennial, catnip tolerates cooler temps but growth slows below 50°F. High heat above 80°F can cause floppy, leggy growth.
Water
Catnip prefers evenly moist soil, not soggy. Water whenever the top inch becomes dry. Drooping leaves often signal underwatering. Ensure pots have drainage and don’t let water pool in the saucer.
Soil
Use a well-draining potting mix made for herbs. Soil pH between 6.0-7.0 is optimal. Add perlite if soil retains too much moisture.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly with a liquid fertilizer for herbs at half strength. Avoid over-fertilizing which causes excessive leaf growth over flavor.
Containers
Choose containers at least 4 inches deep with drainage holes. Shallow pots dry out too quickly. Catnip appreciates deeper pots for its taproot.
How to Grow Catnip from Seed
Growing catnip from seed indoors is fast and easy. Follow these steps:
- Fill starter pots with moist potting soil. Level and lightly compress.
- Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep, spacing 1-2 inches apart.
- Gently cover seeds with soil or vermiculite. Water lightly.
- Place in a warm spot (65-75°F). Keep soil moist but not saturated.
- Seeds germinate in 7-14 days. Provide ample sunlight after sprouting.
- Transplant seedlings when they reach 3-4 inches tall. Pinch back tips for bushiness.
Growing Catnip from a Seedling
You can also grow catnip indoors from a nursery seedling or plant. Look for young plants around 3-4 inches tall. Follow these tips:
- Loosen root ball gently before transplanting into potting mix. Be careful not to damage roots.
- Bury stem up to the first set of leaves. Lightly tamp down soil.
- Water thoroughly after transplanting. Allow excess water to drain fully.
- Wait 1-2 weeks before fertilizing to allow recovery from transplant shock.
- Pinch back stem tips by 1/3 to encourage bushy growth habit.
Caring for Your Indoor Catnip
Once established, catnip requires minimal care. Follow these growing tips:
- Pinch back leggy stems often to promote full, bushy growth.
- Remove flower buds to prolong leaf production. Flowers diminish flavor.
- Check soil moisture regularly. Water when the top inch becomes dry.
- Mist leaves occasionally to boost humidity around the catnip.
- Rotate pots so all sides get equal light exposure.
- Keep away from heating/cooling vents to avoid drafts.
- Move plants outside in summer to rejuvenate them.
Harvesting and Using Catnip
- Snip sprigs of catnip once the plant reaches 6+ inches tall. Cut back to a leaf node.
- For best flavor, harvest in the morning after dew dries.
- Frequent cutting encourages more growth. Leave some stems when harvesting.
- Hang upside down to dry. Crumble dried leaves to fill cat toys.
- Add fresh leaves to salads, soups, pesto or other dishes. Imparts a light minty flavor.
- Make catnip tea from dried leaves for relaxation or upset stomachs.
Troubleshooting Common Catnip Problems
Yellow leaves – Overwatering or insufficient fertilizer
Leggy growth – Needs more sunlight exposure
Wilting – Underwatering or pot-bound roots
Slow growth – Low temperatures or inadequate sunlight
Flowering – Remove buds to prolong leaf production
White powdery coating – Powdery mildew fungus; increase air circulation
Chewed leaves – Irresistible to cats! Keep indoor plants out of reach.
Growing catnip indoors provides a fun treat for cats and a bounty of culinary, medicinal and decorative uses for you too. With the right conditions, you can enjoy fresh homegrown catnip all year round!
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Enjoy Catnip at Your Fingertips All Year Round
Even when it is not summer or spring, its natural outdoor growing season, you can still grow catnip indoors to have a fresh and readily available supply all year long. You are no longer limited by the constraints of changing seasons or unpredictable weather conditions.
You can enjoy fresh, year-round produce right in your own space with a Gardyn indoor gardening system.
Why Grow Catnip Indoors?
Growing catnip indoors not only provides your feline companion with a safe and enriching source of stimulation, but it can also serve as a natural stress reliever and aid in digestive health. Need to know more? Let us show you the benefits of growing this herb right at home.
How to Grow Catnip
FAQ
Can I grow catnip indoors year round?
Catnip grown in containers indoors can be planted or sown at any time of year.
Can catnip be a houseplant?
Catnip is a perennial herb that is easy to grow and thrives with minimal care, making it an excellent choice for indoor gardening enthusiasts of all levels. By following simple care instructions, you can have a flourishing catnip plant without much hassle.
Is catnip good for indoor cats?
Catnip can usually safely be used in moderation for cats, as long as it hasn’t been treated with pesticides. The only time catnip is bad for cats is if they eat too much of it. If they do overindulge, it can cause an upset tummy along with dizziness, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Can catnip grow in just water?
Catnip cutting propagation is as easy as it gets in the perennial world. You can start rooting catnip cuttings in water or soil. If you have never tried propagating a plant from cuttings, catnip is a great place to start.
Can catnip grow in containers?
Catnip needs space to grow, and can vigorously spread if it’s not properly maintained—again, it’s best grown in containers. “It can sometimes become overgrown and invade other plants in your garden, but it can easily be cut back,” says Dilmore.
How do you grow catnip indoors?
For bushier growth, cut back stems on young plants. Container-grown catnip grows best in an 8- to 10-inch container that provides excellent drainage. Terra-cotta pots are the best choice for growing catnip indoors. Also, some perlite should be added to high-quality potting soil to improve drainage, and only water when the soil surface is dry.
Where do catnip plants grow best?
Indoor catnip plants grow best in a sunny window. Catnip grows well in a variety of soils, including dry and rocky soil. However, they thrive in loamy and sandy soil. Whatever you choose, make sure the soil has good drainage. These plants do well with little water.
Can catnip be grown together?
If you’re growing this herb for your furry friend, select a wider pot, and grow several plants together. Avoid using planters made from breakable materials, i.e., clay pots. You can also grow catnip with other herbs that have similar growing requirements like hyssop, mint, sorrel, and nasturtium.
Can catnip grow inside a house?
This means it should do just fine growing inside your home and doesn’t need any special handling in terms of temperature or humidity. Catnip prefers average to medium moisture. The plant recovers quickly from wilting, so it’s best to err on the side of dry rather than too wet, which might encourage root rot.
Can catnip grow in a raised bed?
You can plant catnip directly into the ground or in a raised bed, but make sure to provide some constraints on this plant. It is part of the mint family and can quickly take over your garden. Catnip grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. Catnip grows quickly and can take over other areas of the garden.