Catnip

How to sow catnip: Direct seed indoors before frost, or outdoors after last frost

Sun requirement for catnip: Plant in Full Sun

Catnip is a herbaceous perennial in the mint family, Lamiaceae. It resembles mint, with triangular, coarse-toothed leaves, square stems, and small, pink, white, purple, or blue flowers. Like mint, it can become invasive, so it is best planted in containers. Catnip is used an ornamental, to make herbal tea, and as a companion plant. It is deer-resistant and attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies and deters pests like flea beetles, Japanese beetles, aphids, weevils, ants, squash bugs and mice. It also attracts cats because it contains the chemical nepetalactone, which can cause cats to enter a brief state of euphoria.