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The Live Catnip Plant: A Complete Guide and Care Tips
Gardening can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when it comes to growing herbs.
One of the most popular herbs among cat lovers is the live catnip plant.
Not only does it provide entertainment for our feline friends, but it also has numerous health benefits for humans too.
In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide on how to grow and care for your own live catnip plant.
What is Catnip?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family.
It is native to Europe but can be found in many countries around the world today.
This plant produces small clusters of lavender-blue flowers on spikes that bloom from late spring through summer.
Why Do Cats Love Catnip?
Cats are attracted to catnip because of a chemical compound called nepetalactone found in its leaves and stems.
When cats smell or chew on these parts of the plant, they become intoxicated by its scent which causes them to roll around, drool or become hyperactive for several minutes at a time.
Not all cats react to catnip though as some may be immune or simply uninterested in its effects!
Growing Your Own Live Catnip Plant
- Choosing Seeds: You can start growing your own live catnip plants either from seeds or cuttings taken from an established plant.
- Sowing Seeds: Sow seeds indoors in late winter or early spring using seed starting mixtures in pots with good drainage holes 6-8 weeks before planting outside after frost passes.
- Soil Requirements: Catnip plants thrive in well-drained, loamy soil with a pH range of 6.1 to 7.8.
- Sunlight and Watering: Choose an area that receives full sunlight for at least six hours per day and water your plant regularly but do not over-water as it can cause root rot.
Caring for Your Live Catnip Plant
Caring for your live catnip plant is easy as it is relatively low maintenance once established.
- Fertilizing: Use organic fertilizers sparingly during the growing season to avoid overfeeding it.
- Pests and Diseases: Check regularly for pests such as aphids, spider mites or whiteflies which are common on catnip plants.
Use natural pest control methods or organic pesticides if necessary.
- Pruning: Prune back the plant after flowering to encourage new growth.
- Drying Leaves: You can harvest some leaves before flowering when they are at their most potent, dry them in a warm dark place for several days before storing them in an airtight container.
In Conclusion
Growing your own live catnip plant can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Providing care through proper watering, pruning and pest control measures will help ensure that you get the best out of this herb.
Your feline friend will enjoy the entertainment provided by this magical herb while you also enjoy its many health benefits such as reducing anxiety, improving digestion or treating insomnia!
We hope that this guide has been helpful in getting you started with growing your own live catnip plant.
Enjoy the process and happy gardening!
