Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Seeds

Catnip is the real thing for cats: an easy, hardy herb whose bruised leaves set off the rolling, rubbing delight that most cats cannot resist. Nepeta cataria forms an upright clump of soft, grey-green, heart-shaped leaves with toothed edges and a strong minty scent. From early summer it carries spikes of small white flowers, lightly spotted with purple, that bees visit constantly. Dry the leaves to stuff cat toys, or use a few fresh leaves for a mild herbal tea. Around two in three cats react to it.

Sowing and growing

• Sow indoors March to May, or outdoors where it is to grow April to June
• Depth: 5mm, lightly covered
• Germination: 7 to 15 days
• Position: full sun or light shade in well-drained, even poor, soil
• Height: 50 to 60cm, with a spread of about 20cm
• Harvest: pick leaves from about 6 to 8 weeks; the scent is strongest at flowering, June to September
• Hardy perennial, often short-lived; let a few flowers set seed

What you receive: a packet of about 300 seeds from Piccolo Seeds, with growing instructions on the back.

Catnip is one of the easiest plants for bees and other pollinators. For a related bee favourite, try our Lesser Calamint seeds, or browse all our herb and flower seeds.