Catnip
Nepeta cataria
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Bulgaria, China, Corse, France, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Nepal, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Cbaile19
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lamiaceae
- Genus:
- Nepeta
- Species:
- Nepeta cataria
- USDA Symbol:
- NECA2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, lavender
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons) Butterflies:Small White (Pieris rapae)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, cats
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to Europe and Asia, prefers open, sunny areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover. Cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.