Nepeta, the catgrass plant

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Nepeta is a cute blue-hued flower that is similar to both lavender and nettle. It adapts well to most climates, even cold and damp areas.

Key Nepeta facts

Name – Nepeta
Family – Lamiaceae
Type – perennial

Height – 16 to 32 inches (40 to 80 cm)
Exposure – full sun
Soil – light, well-drained

Blooming – May to October

Also called catgrass, catnip and even catmint because its leaves look like those of mint, it makes our feline friends a bit tipsy.

Planting Nepeta

How to plant nepeta

You can plant your nepeta starting in October and all the way to May-June, keeping a distance of 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) between plants.

• Nepeta likes full sun but it also tolerates part sun.
• It appreciates well drained soil, even poor.
• Being planted in the sun is when nepeta is at its best in terms of flavor.

Propagating nepeta

Nepeta is propagated through sowing at the end of winter, in a crate and at a T° of more or less 65°F (18°C).

• Maintain the substrate a little moist.
• Good light but no direct sunlight.
• Transplant once in nursery pots sometime in April.
• Transfer to the ground starting from the month of May.

You can propagate nepeta in spring or fall through crown division.

Watering nepeta

This plant copes well with having a lot of sun, but must be watered in case of elevated temperatures or extended dry spell.

If growing it in pots, don’t wait for the soil to be completely dry before watering again; simply water often but in moderate amounts.

Harvesting nepeta leaves

Nepeta cataria leaves are preferably collected in the morning during its growth or vegetation phase.

Spring and summer is often when the harvest takes place, but it can also be conducted as long as your nepeta are densely furnished to prepare delicious nepeta infusions and herbal teas

• Wait for the plant to have grown quite a bunch of leaves before harvesting for the first time.
• Dried nepeta leaves keep very well, they can last several months.

Note that when you crumple nepeta flowers and leaves, they produce a soft aniseed-like fragrance that is very pleasurable.

All there is to know about nepeta

Nepeta is also called Catnip or, more frequently still, Catgrass. It indeeds has the power of attracting cat folk because it induces euphoria.

About 2 out of 3 cats are sensitive to the euphoria-inducing effects of nepeta. Whether it simply rubs against it, rolls over in it, chews it or licks it, for sure it gives the cat a few minutes of excitement and joy that transport it to a better world! Purring and meowing illustrate this situation that luckily doesn’t have any side effects.

Also very ornamental and simply of a high value as a spice, this plant is also used simply to decorate the garden and cook delicious flavorful meals, infusions and herbal teas.

A honey-bee plant, nepeta will be fine at the back of a flower bed or along edges, in a rocky pile or sand patch, and even fit right into a garden box on your balcony or terrace.