Catnip

Catnip can be sown indoors from early spring, or directly outdoors once the soil has warmed up. While often described as easy to grow, germination can be slow and uneven, so starting seed in pots or trays usually gives the best results.

Seeds do not need to be surface sown. Instead, sow thinly and cover lightly with compost, then gently firm and water. Keep the compost consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination can begin within 1–2 weeks, but often continues erratically over a longer period, particularly in cooler conditions, so patience is important.

Catnip seed may benefit from a period of cold, moist stratification. This can be done either by sowing outdoors in the autumn and allowing seeds to experience winter conditions naturally, or by placing seed in a sealed bag with slightly moist compost or sand and keeping it in the fridge for 2–4 weeks before sowing in spring. While not always essential, this can improve both germination rates and consistency.

Once seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them on or thin them out as required. Plant out into their final position once the risk of frost has passed, allowing a spacing of around 60cm between plants. Catnip grows quickly and forms bushy plants, reaching around 60–90cm tall when in full flower.

Catnip prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Once established it requires very little maintenance and is relatively drought tolerant. Plants will often flower in their first year, usually by mid-summer, and can be cut back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and a tidier habit.

Catnip is like a gentle thyme or oregano. It contains some of the powerful thymol and carvacrol but at lower levels. This gentle nature has led it to being included in many recipes for children’s health. Especially tummy upsets with loose bowels. This calming effect is also seen in its use for fraught nerves and anxiety too. Its warming and diaphoretic properties come to the fore when drunk as a warm tea to induce a mild sweat during seasonal colds too.

For using herbs with children see here.

The first flush of leaf growth is the lushest and best for harvest before the flower spikes appear. You can also harvest the stalks as it comes into flower later in the summer too, so leave some of your catnip patch for that as well. Tie the stems up in bunches and leave to air dry or lay out on drying racks and place in a dryer.

For a simple cup of tea use a fresh sprig or a teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup of freshly boiled water and leave covered to infuse for 15 minutes.

Or you can make a 1:5@45% tincture.