Soil: Catnip will grow in nearly any garden or container soil with good drainage. The use of Catnip plant leaves and flowers in herbal teas was documented at least as early as 1735 in the General Irish Herbal. How To Use Catnip For Cats. It can be used fresh, dried, … John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ introduces his cat to a fresh catnip plant for the first time. Indoors, providing you give it enough light and water, it's conceivable you'll get a 2-foot plant, but in reality, indoor catnip doesn't have the potency of outdoor catnip and it seems more reasonable to grow plants for a single growing season, then replace them either through sowing new seeds or cuttings. Feeding: Scratch ½ inch of compost into the top few inches of soil before planting catnip and side-dress plants with aged compost every spring. What Is Catnip? You can also feed catnip compost tea during the growing season. Medicinally, the plant has been used as an antispasmodic, antipyretic, carminative, diuretic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, sedative, and stomachic. For some cats furniture and expensive drapes are much more exciting to shred and sharpen claws on instead of a scratching post. Catnip Is For People Too! Utilizing Catnip Toys. Catnip is aromatic, and some people find the odor overwhelming. However, you should avoid clay or sandy soil, especially that you will most likely grow the herb in containers. Flowers and leaves are both edible. Catnip is a perennial that generally grows to 2 to 3 feet when planted outdoors. 7 Most Popular and Funny Videos of Cats and Catnip. Catnip is one plant that appeals to cats’ sense of taste and smell and brings about behavioral changes once it is ingested or inhaled. Catnip can be sown from seed in Spring, or by dividing existing plants into 3 or 4 clumps and re-planting. Aromatic with ethereal oils with usually four-sided stems are the often characteristics of these herbs.. Bernardi 2011 The use of catnip leaves and flowers in herbal teas was documented as early as 1735 in the General Irish Herbal. Catnip poultices made from the dried leaves and flowers of the plant are a folk remedy for toothaches that people still use today. I still get confused looks. In the wild, catnip seeds would be scattered by the wind, find somewhere to settle, and go through a winter before deciding to sprout in the spring. The use of catnip for termite control can be done in many ways. We know catnip … The flowering tops are used to make medicine. Grow catnip with potatoes, pumpkins, and other squashes to keep squash beetles at bay. After the main bloom, plants should be cut back hard to encourage a second bloom and tidy shape. Just the plain bruised catnip leaves was enough to completely stop the biting. Catnip plants are fairly easy to grow and use as a continuous source of mosquito-repelling oils. Growing: Catnip does very well in containers, raised beds, or borders in full sun to partial shade. They are not toxic. Medicinally, the Catnip plant has been used to treat intestinal cramps, for indigestion, to cause sweating, to induce menstruation, as a sedative, and to increase appetite. Cats find the scent of the stuff alluring and irresistible. The catnip plants are drought resistant, which makes the plants low maintenance, and do best in well-drained soil. Don’t plant catnip next to kale or cucumber. Another effective way is by applying catnip essential oils extracted from the plant onto affected areas. If you’re intending to use catnip for medicinal purposes, check that you are growing Nepetaria cataria. While common as a recreational tool for cats, the catnip plant has a long history of medicinal use in many cultures worldwide. Not bad for just a quick rub with a handful of leaves. Place your plants accordingly. 10 Ways to Use Catnip For Your Cat. 17. Posted on Apr 7, 2015. The use of catnip plants for flea control may have side effects on some users. Cover and water lightly. Catnip can tolerate dry soil. Watering: Water catnip just as the soil dries out. Catnip gows best in well draining soil in the full sun. To dry catnip, cut full stalks and dry in the sun. One of them includes planting it around your surroundings including infested areas. This plant thrives in soil with a pH range between 5 and 7.5. If you prefer to grow your catnip indoors, you can also sow the seeds in pots the same way. There are more ways to use catnip than you can count. Still, the French use catnip to a considerable extent. The main challenge to growing it is protecting it from cats. A commonly enjoyed catnip trinket is a regular toy stuffed with the magical plant. It’s best to stop using this plant whenever you notice a negative response such as rash, itchy or swollen skin due to its use. This gray-green foliage plant releases a chemical called nepetalactone, when rubbed, which works as a cat attractant.Catnip is also used to flavor salads, teas, and meat dishes. Use catnip to help colicky babies, and many adults use it to ease upset stomachs, too. Catnip is a plant—known scientifically as Nepeta cataria—that is a member of the mint family. Planting catnip in clumps makes a nice effect in the landscape. Many people choose to cultivate catnip. While there are 5 types of catnip you can grow, only 1 is true catnip. The plant possesses a … You’ll need to space your catnip plants 18-20” apart to give the plants enough room to grow to full size. Perfect Companion Plant. Also going by Nepeta cataria, catswort, or catmint, the catnip plant is a perennial herb with a close relation to the mint family.. What is the best way to use catnip as an insect repellent? Catnip’s white and pink flowers are very attractive to bees, and cats love the lot! How to Grow Catnip. The plant has been consumed as a tea, juice, tincture, infusion or poultice, and has also been smoked. But catnip isn’t just for cat owners: It’s a delightful addition to any window herb garden, and even consumable by humans. Cut leaves as needed and use to brew tea (which has calming effects) or garnish dishes or add to salads. When we sell it at the farmer’s market I often remind people how to use catnip for themselves, and to be sure to have a cup of catnip tea while they share it with their pets. This might be because the smell of a transplanted catnip plant will exude because of bruising caused to the plant and leaves in the transportation of it. The use of catnip leaves and flowers in herbal teas was documented at least as early as 1735 in the General Irish Herbal. A Small Guide to Herbs with Healing Properties. Soil. But in order to have the most success with the uses of catnip, you have to identify the correct type to grow. Give your plant as much sunlight as possible. Catnip can grow in many types of soil. You can use catnip plant on your cat without any worry. The catnip plant does not need much care aside from watering. Catnip prefers full or … It’s known for attracting cats like a magician. Catnip likes sandy and loamy soils, preferring well-drained soil. Pruning: Cut catnip back to the ground in spring to improve its growth and appearance. Keep soil moist until seedlings pop through the ground. The active ingredient is called nepetalactone, which many domestic cats respond to in a variety of different ways. The effect lasted for about 15 minutes but that was a lot better than being bitten. Using Catmint As a condiment the leaves can be used in sauces; but the taste can be a bit strong. If your cat doesn't enjoy playing with catnip, other plant alternatives can be found here. Repotting . Some cats like catnip so much that they lie on it, roll on it, and chew it to the point of destruction. Medicinally, the plant has been used to treat intestinal cramps, for indigestion, to cause sweating, to induce menstruation, as a sedative, and to increase appetite. Posted on Apr 9, 2015. Growing New Catnip Plants From Their Seed Heads. Catnip or catmint is a member of the mint family. Growing Catnip Indoors is possible, and with the help of these catnip plant care tips, you can grow it year-round in your home.. Catnip is a mint family herb. Catnip plants are also safe for your cat. Try rubbing catnip in the carpeting of the post, that should do the trick in attracting kitty to use it. 5 Legal Smart Drugs You Can Use (Included Catnip) Posted on Apr 10, 2015. Live catnip house plants and catnip spray are also available for purchase as a more long-lasting toy for your furry friend. It does not like shade and grows best open area, hedgerows, waste ground, near streams and border areas of fields. Due to its resilient nature, catnip is able to grow in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 in any type of tolerant, well-drained soil. Catnip can be grown both indoors and outside. Overview Information Catnip is a plant. You could sprinkle a small amount of catnip by creating a toy for your indoor cat. The best soil to use in this case is a well-drained potting mix that has a moderate amount of nutrients. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial plant that resembles a typical mint plant.It originates from the plant family Lamiaceae, giving it a distinct appearance. (Fun fact: It affects big cats like lions and tigers as well.) Used as a cat treat or in cat toys, catnip is best dried before use. Quick Tip: Training to Use A Scratching Post. Catnip is easy to grow and readily available for purchase from most nurseries in the herb section. Catnip is a curious plant. This is the easiest type of catnip to grow from seed or plant. What is a catnip plant used for? Harvesting and Storing Catnip. Catnip tea can help with stress and digestion. A barrier can also be formed with this oil to keep termites at bay. Here’s how to grow this purr-fect herb. Before the introduction of tea to the British Isles, people used to make catnip tea, and this was used for a variety of purposes. The catnip plant is most popular as the tiny leaf bits a cat owner may scatter onto the ground to enthuse their cats. 8 Cookies Recipes for Cats (Also Using Catnip) Posted on Apr 14, 2015. Various extracts have been tried but are not widely accessible. The plants grow quite large, and prefer sandy soil and full sun. If grown indoors, keep the plants away from your cat, particularly when they are seedlings or your plants won’t survive your cat’s nibbling. Growing Catnip: catnip is a generic term referring to 250 different types of minty plants. To stratify or not, that is the question. Plant catnip in a place where your cats can rub and roll in it without hurting adjacent plants. Catnip is a carminative, which means that it helps remove air stuck in the intestines, pushing it downwards until it’s expelled from your body. I use a compost rich soil and sow the seeds about 1/8" deep and about 18" apart. Cats get high off catnip by inhaling the nepetalactone — whether from a live plant, dried plant material, or an oil extract. It is available as seedling plants or in seed form, as is best planted in early spring. This will mostly be in the form of allergic reactions. Posted on Mar 30, 2015 You can use these for stuffing little felt balls or mice for your cat to play with.