Nepeta cataria. 75 days. Open-pollinated.
Catnip is a vigorous perennial herb in the mint family that, while native to Eurasia, is widely naturalized in temperate regions around the world where it can often be found growing alongside streams, fields, and roadways.
Grayish-green leaves are highly aromatic and near irresistible to most cats, while their strong, mint-like flavor made them a popular choice for herbal teas in early Britain where it was used to treat everything from fevers and poor digestion to anxiety and other personality disorders. Legend even has it that hangmen chewed catnip leaves to give them courage for their grim task!
While often grown by home gardeners for their furry feline friends, bees and other pollinators are also attracted to the plant and its showy, white to purple flowers.
Catnip
Growth Chart
Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9 Light Requirement: Full shade Soil Type: Sandy, loamy, well-drained Sow Depth: 1/4 inch Plant Spacing: 12 to 15 inches in rows Germination Temp: 60°F to 70°F Germination Time: 7 to 14 days Maturation: 75 days Growing Tips
Direct sow after the last spring frost, planting the seeds 1/4 inch deep in rows about 20 inches apart. Thin plants to 12 - 15 inches apart once the seedlings appear.
Leaves can be harvested once the plants reach about 8 inches in height.