Care of the plant Nepeta cataria or Catnip |
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The genus Nepeta, family Lamiaceae, includes about 250 species of herbaceous plants native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Some species and hybrids are: Nepeta cataria, Nepeta × faassenii, Nepeta grandiflora, Nepeta teydea, Nepeta curviflora, Nepeta nepetella, Nepeta tuberosa. Common names: Catnip, Catswort, Catmint or Catwort. This species is native to Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. They are perennial herbaceous plants with gray stems that reach 60 cm (23.6") in height. Opposite, heart-shaped leaves with jagged edges are hairy on the undersides and give off a light citrus scent. The small whitish flowers appear in spikes. They bloom in late summer and early fall. The leaves and flowers attract cats that chew them and come to adopt curious behaviors. They are used in rockeries, borders and borders, as isolated specimens, in Mediterranean gardens and in pots for patios and terraces. They attract butterflies and repel aphids, mosquitoes and cockroaches. The Nepeta cataria can live in full sun and semi-shade exposures. They grow in any type of soil that has good drainage. Water moderately waiting for the substrate to dry. They resist drought well. They do not need fertilizer. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact habit. They are quite resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases but they can be attacked by fungi, snails and slugs. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring, by division, and by cuttings in summer or fall. They have a tendency to self-propagate from seed. |
Images of the plant Nepeta cataria or Catnip |
 Nepeta cataria  Nepeta cataria |