Catnip, or Nepeta cataria
Nepeta cataria
Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, an…
Are catnip and catmints the same plant?
Both Are the Cat’s Pajamas While it may seem confusing at first glance, there are clear clues that will help you to tell these plants apart. Catnip is the best choice for medicinal use (or cats!) while catmints are superior for ornamental plantings.
What is CATNIP made out of?
N. cataria, commonly called catnip, is a plant that’s famous for attracting cats. It contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone that causes that characteristic euphoria in our feline friends. Other Nepeta species also contain nepetalactone, but in much lower concentrations.
What is catnip (Nepeta)?
Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family. It’s a plant that is easy to grow in North America and has feather-like, light-green foliage with lavender flowers.
Is catnip harmful to kittens?
Catnip is not harmful for kittens, but most cats won’t react to catnip until they are 6 months to 1 year of age. Some cats can be exceptions to this rule, as they will slowly increase their sensitivity over the years.
Does catnip smell like lavender?
A member of the mint family, Nepeta cataria L. (aka catnip) grows throughout the United States. The plant features small, lavender flowers and jagged, heart-shaped leaves that smell faintly of mint.
What plant does catnip come from?
Nepeta catariaCatnip plants (Nepeta cataria and other Nepeta species) are members of the mint family and contain volatile oils, sterols, acids and tannins. Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, the plant was brought to North America by settlers; nowadays, the plant is popular in herb gardens and grows widely as a weed.
Are catnip flowers purple?
True catnip (Nepeta cataria)– Produces white to purple flowers and grows 3 feet (1 m.)
What herb is catnip?
Catnip, sometimes also called catmint or field balm, is a plant in the mint family. This perennial plant originates in Europe and is found in the wild across the U.S and Canada. You may be familiar with catnip's euphoric effects on cats. Dried catnip is often found in cat toys and is used to change cat behavior.
Is catmint the same as lavender?
Although there are some differences among species, most species of lavender have narrow, dark green to gray-green leaves. Catmint's heart-shaped, gray-green leaves have a scalloped edge. Catmint begins blooming in late spring and continues through early summer. Lavender blooms appear from early through midsummer.
Why is my catnip turning purple?
A lack of Nitrogen/Phosphorous causes the lack of chlorophyll in Catnip. The purplish color of the Catnip leaves is due to a pigment called Anthocyanin. Anthocyanin pigment replaces Chlorophyll in the Catnip leaves. You need to amend the soil when you notice such signs.
What color is catnip flower?
Catnip flowers are white or near white some having purple spots, are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by bees making this a plant that attracts wildlife. Tubular catnip flowers are arranged in dense whorls on spikes. The clusters of white or (pale lavender tubular flowers) bloom from July to October.
What color is catnip?
grayish-greenCatnip is grayish-green and can grow up to three feet tall. Look for jagged, heart-shaped leaves and thick stems that are both covered in fuzzy hairs. The best time to search for wild catnip is between July and October when the flowers are in bloom.
Are catnip stems purple?
Hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, catnip is a perennial herb with a clumping growth habit that can reach a few feet tall and wide. It has square stems similar to other members of the mint family, as well as gray-green toothed leaves, and spikes of small white or light pink flowers with pale purple specks.
Is catnip a basil?
The Nepeta cataria plant, more commonly known as catnip, belongs to the Lamiaceae plant family. This family also includes herbs such as rosemary, oregano, basil, and sage. This family of plant also contains Nepeta musinii, or catmint, which can also attract cats.
Is there another name for catnip?
Other Name(s): Cataire, Catmint, Catnep, Catswort, Chataire, Field Balm, Herbe à Chat, Herbe aux Chats, Hierba Gatera, Menta de Gato, Menthe des Chats, Nepeta cataria.
What was catnip originally used for?
Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses The use of catnip leaves and flowers in herbal teas was documented at least as early as 1735 in the General Irish Herbal. 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.
What Is Catnip?
Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family.
What Does Catnip Do to Cats? How Does Catnip Work?
Cats have an extra scent organ called the vomeronasal gland in the roof of their mouth. This special pathway allows scents that are collected in the nose and mouth to be carried to the brain.
Does Catnip Work on All Cats?
Not all cats will respond to the active compound in catnip. Veterinary studies suggest that about 60% of cats will have a behavioral reaction to catnip. If your cat does not react to catnip, you can try silver vine.
How Long Does Catnip Last?
Catnip effects will vary in length, depending on the cat. Usually, the behaviors associated with smelling catnip will last for around 10 minutes and then wear off gradually.
Can Kittens Have Catnip?
Catnip is not harmful for kittens, but most cats won’t react to catnip until they are 6 months to 1 year of age.
Can Cats Eat Catnip? Is It Safe?
Cats can ingest catnip, and it may even be helpful for their digestive tract.
Can Cats Overdose on Catnip?
Too much catnip can cause health problems in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or having trouble walking. Use just a little at a time, and you can always discuss the correct amount for your cat with your veterinarian.
About Catmint
Catmint is a group of plants from the nepeta genus which includes approximately 250 different species. The plants are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe and contain catnip as well as catmint. Catnip is a plant that has a narcotic effect upon cats of all sizes including domestic house cats and big cats.
About Lavender
Lavender refers to 47 different species that belong to the Lavandula genus. Lavender originated in Europe, Africa, and southwest Asia and is now widely grown in home gardens and also used for the commercial extraction of essential oils which has a long history in medical and cosmetic applications.
How To Grow Lavender
Lavender can be grown in much the same way as catmint. It can be purchased as a shrub from garden centres or grown from seed which is also widely available. If you choose to grow the plant from seed the best time to do this is in spring when the weather is starting to warm up.
What does a catnip plant look like?
Branching off the stalk are serrated leaves that look like softer, dustier sprigs of lemon balm. The plant is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is easily mistaken for lemon balm, catmint, and peppermint. The catnip plant resembles other members of the mint family, bearing pointed, serrated leaves and white or lavender blossoms.
What is the chemical compound in catnip?
What makes it different from these plants is something you can’t see—a chemical compound called nepetalactone. Secreted in fragile microscopic bulbs coating the plant’s leaves, stems, and seed pods, nepetalactone constitutes between 70% and 99% of the essential oil in catnip.
How do cats react to catnip?
Sensitive cats react to catnip by going a bit crazy—rolling around on the floor, licking up as much ‘nip as they can, rubbing their heads in the catnip, and frisking around the room. Some cats start drooling. Others get agitated and violent. Both small and big cats react to catnip. Lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats exhibit all ...
What is the difference between catnip and silvervine?
Silvervine. Though catnip gets more press, silvervine—also known as matatabi—is a potent alternative. This native of China and Japan is a species of kiwifruit from the Actinidiaceae family. Instead of nepetalactone, silvervine contains high concentrations of a chemical called actinidine.
How to keep catnip fresh longer?
If you have freezer space and want to maximize the longevity of your catnip, place your sealed containers of catnip in the freezer and thaw them out when you’re ready for some fun.
How to give cat nip?
Giving your cat catnip is simple. If you’re using catnip leaves or a toy, pinch and massage it before giving it to your cat.
Which catmint has the highest concentration of nepetalactone?
Of the Nepeta species, nepeta cataria has the highest concentration of nepetalactone and the most powerful effects, but catmint varieties like Blue Wonder, Persian, and Faassen’s catmint can also trigger a reaction.
Do catmints like wet soil?
Catmint is much more tolerant of wetter soils. It also doesn’t mind a little fertilization every once in a while. And it dies back in the winter leaving nothing for the snow plow to catch and in dry winters nothing for the wind to whip. But there are a few other things to consider here.
Does lavender die back?
Lavender also is evergreen and doesn’t die back (making it an easy target for the snowplow who piles it on) Lavender doesn’t like fertile soil (so the downhill side of the driveway, which has an edge that tends to be a trap for leaves and rotting debris, is not a great place) Conversely -.
Does lavender like wet soil?
Lavender doesn’t like wet soil. Lavender also is evergreen and doesn’t die back (making it an easy target for the snowplow who piles it on) Lavender doesn’t like fertile soil (so the downhill side of the driveway, which has an edge that tends to be a trap for leaves and rotting debris, is not a great place)
Catmint vs catnip: What's the difference?
Because they both belong to the mint family and have similar names, confusing them both in the battle of catmint vs catnip is an easy mistake to make. But while these two siblings share plenty in common, they’re different plants.
Catmint vs catnip: Which one do cats want?
When it comes to catmint vs catnip, there’s only one member of this family that reigns supreme as far as your kitty is concerned and the winner is… catnip! Whether it’s catnip toys or fresh catnip, most furkids can’t get enough of the heavenly green stuff.
Can cats eat catmint?
You probably already know that it’s safe for feline furkids to eat catnip, but what about catmint? While many of the plants in the mint family are toxic for cats, that’s usually only the case when they’re consumed in large quantities, and the good news is that catmint is perfectly safe.
Difference Between Catnip and Catmint
It is true that catnip and species commonly known as catmint have quite a lot in common. They are low maintenance perennials that grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 9, and thrive in full to part sun.
Where to Buy
When purchasing plants or seeds, be sure to check for the botanical name to make sure you have the right species.
What plants are good for catmint?
Yellow-flowering plants such as Hemerocallis ‘Happy Returns,’ Achillea ‘Coronation Gold,’ or Coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’ also make a pleasing combination with catmint. The most popular catmint cultivars grown commercially in this country belong to the hybrid Nepeta x faassenii.
What color is catmint?
Catmint blends well with most other colors but looks particularly appealing when paired with colors in the red-blue color spectrum. In my own garden, it looks stunning planted with irises. In particular, it pairs well with the medium lavender-blue iris ‘Crater Lake’ and with the blue-violet hues of iris ‘Swingtown.’.
How tall is a catmint plant?
Siberian catmint ( N. sibirica) – Tall ( two to three feet) upright plant with large green leaves and rich blue flowers. Japanese catmint ( N. subsessilis) – Unlike the other varieties of catmint, this one prefers moist soil. Although it will take full sun, it likes partial shade.
Where do yellow catmints grow?
Yellow catmint ( N. govaniana) – Native to the Himalayas, this hard-to-find variety has yellow flowers which bloom later in the summer. Veined Nepeta ( N. nervosa) – Native to India, this species grows one to two feet tall and is characterized by strong veins on three- to four-inch long leaves.
How to propagate catmint?
Catmint may also be propagated through cutting s. Take three-inch long cuttings of healthy shoots in the spring before flower buds form . Insert the cuttings into a moist medium such as sand or a peat-perlite mix. They should root within two or three weeks. PESTS, POLLINATORS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS.
What is the family of catmints?
Emerging Catmint Foliage. This herbaceous perennial is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae), which includes lavender, rosemary, thyme, bee balm and giant hyssop. In addition to having aromatic leaves, these plants share other common traits, such as two-lipped flowers, square stems and opposite leaves.
Is catmint a good substitute for lavender?
While the two are closely related, catnip is more aromatic than cat mint but has less ornamental value. Catmint plays well with others. If you love the classic combination of lavender and roses but find lavender too finicky to grow in this area, catmint is a good substitute.
