Image: AI generated
Catnip Plant Care
Nepeta cataria L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the mint family, native to southern and eastern Europe, northern parts of the Middle East, and Central Asia. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to part shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Catnip?
Water Catnip every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats (no verdict for dogs), so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Catnip Native To?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Egypt
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lebanon
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- UAE
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
What Is the Catnip?
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Nepeta genus. Catnip is native to southern and eastern Europe, northern parts of the Middle East, and Central Asia. Catnip is also known as Catmint, Catswort, Catrup.
Catnip displays a low mounding perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Catnip produces small tubular flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Catnip?
Nepeta cataria requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Catnip Need?
Catnip thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Catnip Prefer?
Nepeta cataria grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Catnip prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Catnip?
Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Catnip to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Catnip?
Feed Catnip every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Catnip?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Catnip?
Catnip can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps, stem cuttings.
Is the Catnip Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic to cats (no verdict for dogs)
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Catnip?
Catnip is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Catnip Need?
Catnip grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3 – 9. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Catnip is native to southern and eastern Europe, northern parts of the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3 – 9
Keep exploring plants
Catnip is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Nepeta genus — compare its care with other Nepeta species on PlantoScan.
Nepeta is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Catnip thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Nepeta cataria L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 570 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Catnip as toxic to cats (no verdict for dogs). Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3 – 9, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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