Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Catnip, Catmint, Catwort, Catswort
Catnip is a small herb grown in gardens by cat owners because most cats are attracted to its scent, rubbing against it, sniffing, licking, and even eating it.
Belonging to the mint family of Lamiaceae, they have stems that are square in cross-section, and scented leaves. They are native to Europe and Asia, but can be now seen in temperate countries all over the world.
Plant characteristics
These small plants can grow to a height of 50-100 meters with a branching stem that is woody at the base, tender green and covered with small hairs at the tip.
Leaves are roughly oval in shape, about 3-7 cm long. They have serrated, rough margins and a slightly bumpy texture. These leaves are covered with thin, white hairs on both the upper and lower surfaces giving it a velvety, downy texture.
Leaves contain a chemical called nepetalactone, which gives the leaves its characteristic smell and causes the ‘catnip effect’.
Flowers are small and delicate, about 1 cm in diameter, growing in large clusters at the tip of the stem. They are 2-lipped or bilabiate like most Lamiaceae plants, and mostly white, pink, or purple in color.
During spring and summer, the Catnip bloom in abundance covering the plant with small, tubular flowers that can attract small birds, bees, and insects to your garden, along with cats.
After pollination, these flowers produce small, brown seed capsules that contain 4 smooth, ovoid seeds. Small birds and animals are attracted to these seeds, thus helping in propagation of the plant.
Once the seed capsules mature and turn brown, the seeds can be harvested and stored.
Gardening tips
Catnips prefer good sunlight and well-drained soil though they are very sturdy and can adapt to partial shade, as well as a variety of soil conditions.
They are drought-tolerant and need very little care, watering, or fertilization. Since the plants can self-seed by producing seedlings all around it, the plant can become a nuisance, spreading very quickly in the garden.
Deadheading flowers before they fruit can help curtail the spread of this plant.
Uses of Catnip
These plants have many medicinal uses in traditional herbal medicine, in the treatment of digestive disorders, cold, fever, flu, cuts, and wounds. They can help in reducing restlessness and nerves, helping in relaxation.
Young leaves can be used for flavoring just like mint leaves. Older leaves are used in making tea, using fresh or dried leaves. Leaf extracts have insect repellent properties and are used in herbicides.
Planting catnips in the garden can keep away ants, beetles, and rats.
Catnip effect
Catnips cause a state of temporary euphoria in cats when they become hyperactive for a short period, following which they become mellow and might zone out. Not all cats are affected by, or attracted to this plant. Younger cats generally seem to be less attracted to it.
Propagation is through seeds, stem cuttings, and root division. Parents plants sometimes produce small plants below them, which can then be replanted.
Photographed at: Toronto, Canada
