Where Can You Find Catnip? A Guide to Locating This Fascinating Herb
Have you ever wondered where you can find catnip growing in the wild or available for purchase? As an herb that contains nepetalactone, a compound that attracts cats, catnip is a unique and intriguing plant This article will explore the natural habitats, cultivation, and availability of catnip to help you locate this beloved herb.
Catnip in the Wild
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae. It is native to Europe, parts of Asia, and Africa but has naturalized across much of North America as well.
In the wild, catnip can be found growing in:
- Disturbed areas like roadsides, field edges, waste grounds
- Along streams and riverbanks
- Hillsides and mountain slopes
- Grasslands, meadows, open woodlands
- Parks, vacant lots, outskirts of urban areas
Catnip is a hardy plant that readily colonizes new areas. Its small white flowers produce nutlets that are dispersed by birds and mammals, allowing the plant to spread rapidly. Look for catnip plants with heart-shaped, grayish-green leaves and a minty, aromatic odor.
Availability in Nurseries and Gardens
Though catnip grows wild in many regions, it is also widely available for purchase from garden centers, nurseries, and retailers. Potted catnip starter plants or seeds are commonly sold in springtime. Many households also grow small patches to entertain pet cats or repel mosquitoes.
In landscaping, catnip works well as a filler around ornamental beds and borders. It can also be planted in vegetable gardens, herb gardens, pollinator habitats, and container gardens. When shopping for catnip, look for young, vibrant plants without wilting or discolored leaves.
Ideal Growing Regions
Catnip grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8 but can thrive in zones 3-9. It prefers the cool, moist climates of the Pacific Northwest, Northern Europe, and the Northern United States from Maine to Washington. Catnip also flourishes in the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada.
In the South, catnip grows best in partially shaded spots with ample moisture. Container planting allows the herb to be moved into shade during hot weather. Catnip can struggle with intense heat and humidity.
Cultivating Catnip in Pots and Containers
Container gardening is an excellent way to provide ideal growing conditions for catnip. Pots and planters allow gardeners to control sunlight exposure, drainage, and climate.
Use containers at least 10 inches deep and wide with drainage holes. A high-quality potting mix amended with perlite or vermiculite encourages drainage. Place containers in sunny windows or partly shaded patios. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry and fertilize monthly. Pruning leggy growth keeps potted catnip compact.
Caring for Catnip in the Garden
When grown in garden beds, catnip needs very little maintenance. It thrives best in full sun and nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Space plants 18 inches apart for good air circulation. Water garden catnip weekly if rain is lacking, avoiding saturated soil.
Apply an organic fertilizer each spring to support vigorous growth. Deadheading spent flowers prompts re-blooming. Watch for pests like aphids and slugs. In cold climates, mulch for winter insulation.
Harvesting and Drying Catnip
For the best flavor and aroma, harvest catnip leaves just after the plant finishes flowering. Cut stems about 3-4 inches above soil level during mid-morning on a dry, sunny day.
Hang upside down to dry in a dark, well-ventilated area until crisp. Remove dried leaves and store in airtight containers away from light and moisture. Well-dried catnip retains potency for up to a year. Frozen leaves also preserve flavor and scent when properly sealed.
Where to Buy Dried Catnip
Dried catnip is available for purchase in many forms including loose leaves, tea bags, toys, sprays, and more. Look for high-quality organic catnip in the pet section of supermarkets, pet supply stores, natural food markets, and online retailers. When buying dried catnip, inspect for vibrant green color and a strong, minty fragrance.
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0 Where in the World
Catnip is native to Europe and southwestern to central Asia, and is widely naturalized in many parts of the world
0 A Bit of Botany
description Catnip is a short-lived herbaceous perennial of the Lamiaceae or mint family. This plant sends up square, erect and branched stems, 2 to 3 feet high, which are very leafy and covered with a mealy down. The heart shaped, toothed leaves are also covered with a soft, close down, especially on the under sides, which are quite white with it, so that the whole plant has a hoary, grayish appearance, as though it had had dust blown over it.
The flowers grow on short footstalks in dense whorls, which towards the summit of the stem are so close as almost to form a spike. They are in bloom from July to September. The individual flowers are small, the corollas two-lipped, and the upper lip straight, of a whitish or pale pink color, dotted with red spots, the anthers a deep red color. The calyx tube has fifteen ribs, a distinguishing feature of the genus Nepeta, to which this species belongs.
common names & nomenclature The common name catnip comes from the fascination that cats have for this plant; they eat the leaves and are attracted to the scent.
Also known as: catnip leaf, catnip, catswort, catmint, catnep
Grow Catnip Plants for Your Health and Your Cats
FAQ
Where can catnip be found?
Catnip is native to Europe and Asia however it can also be found in parking lots, roadsides, dumps, fields, flower beds, disturbed sites, shores, railroads, and old homesites. It has also over time naturalized to many areas including southern Canada and the US.
Is catnip legal in the US?
Catnip is an herbal product and legal to buy or smoke in the United States.
Can you buy catnip for humans?
These days, humans who consume catnip generally drink it as a tea. The tea is widely believed to soothe anxiety and insomnia, as well as digestive troubles. You can purchase catnip tea bags, or you can make it yourself.
Where can I find wild catnip?
Typically found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides or field edges, along streams or on waste ground, this plant has aromatic leaves that most cats are attracted to, although many people are not enamored of their pungent odor, variously described as a combination of thyme and oregano to “mildly skunky”.