How To Grow Catnip Indoors? Best Tutorial!

Catnip can be created using a herbaceous perennial plant that is part of the mint family and goes by Nepata cataria. It is quite easy to grow almost anywhere and is a handy plant for cat owners. There are a range of benefits that a cat can enjoy by using catnip.

It can be used as a training aid; it can help encourage scratching in certain environments and even be used to alter moods in some cases. This plant’s use is not only limited to cats either. It also has some great medicinal perks for humans. It can help with sleep as the herb is similar to valerian and has a minor sedative effect. The same effect can assist with stress relief and anxiety.

Cough, colds, fever, and in some cases, asthma can be suppressed with this wonder herb also. Studies have shown that catnip has ​​antispasmodic and bronchodilatory properties, which are primary for assisting with these symptoms.

Some other handy uses are aiding digestion, pain relief/anti-inflammatory, and it can also help with some skin conditions with its antiseptic properties. I’ve been growing catnip for a few years now, and I’ve tried and tested all its uses. It’s fair to say that I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well it works in most scenarios. 

So, it would be useful to grow this plant but what if you don’t have enough outdoor space to plant it, I faced the same problem too and learnt how to grow catnip indoors and I have shared all my experience below.

What Is Catnip?

As mentioned above, catnip is a herb that can be easily grown pretty much anywhere. It originated in central Europe and some smaller parts of Asia. Likewise, it has now made its way further around the realm to areas like the United States, Canada, and even Australia.

Catnip is often mistaken for a drug but isn’t considered one. This is mostly because the effect of this type of plant doesn’t require a certain amount of it to be consumed to deem it activated. Moreover, it can’t cause overdosing, but the consumer can get sick if too much has been induced.

Nonetheless, it is notably a stimulant for cats. On the other hand, if dogs were to take some, it would have a sedative effect. Humans can also enjoy its benefits when used correctly. It comes in multiple forms, such as a physical plant, a dried form of the plant, and an oil extract.

Why Do Cats Love Catnips?

Cats love catnips because this particular plant’s leaves and stems produce an oil called ‘nepetalactone.’ Even the slightest smell of nepetalactone can send a cat into a happy, euphoric state. The released chemical is known as a ‘pheromone(s).’ These pheromones attach themselves to the receptors inside a cat’s nose, which trigger the cat’s sensory neurons and produce a euphoric feeling.

In contrast, when a cat consumes catnip, it can have an opposing effect. They can feel more chilled and relaxed, sometimes even zone out. They have also to be known to roll around, flip and rub themselves up to things. Let me reiterate, though, that it does not cause them harm! Catnip doesn’t enter the bloodstream as opposed to street-type human drugs.

It’s more than likely that the feeling would be comparable to the use of LSD or cannabis in humans. That is, of course, minus the lingering side effects and period. It has been said that when cats are around catnip, their ‘true instincts’ are shown.

These facts really encouraged me to learn how to grow catnip indoors, as I am a cat person and let’s say I am really interested to see their “true instincts”.

How to Propagate Catnips Correctly?

Catnip is a fairly simple plant to propagate, so it’s great for first-timers. You’ll need some leaf tip cuttings, and you’re pretty much good to grow! The beauty of this plant is that if you don’t cut it back regularly, it can spread like wildfire.

It can thrive in even the poorest of soil. As a result, your cat is happy, and you have ample cuttings to produce more if/when necessary. Let’s have a look into how the process via various means can be completed with relative ease.

Seeds

• Choose the right container – plastic pots, cell packs, peat pots, plastic flats, yogurt cups, or even eggshells are the perfect seed starting container. Any of these 2-3 inches deep and including sufficient drainage holes are ideal. 
• Use quality soil from the start – Choose a sterile potting mix found in garden centers or nurseries. These will ensure that your seeds get all the right nutrients. Avoid using normal ground soil as these often contain weeds and seeds from other species. 
• Plant at the right depth – As a rule of thumb, cover the seed with 3 times the amount of soil as the thickness of the seed. Give it a light press once in place, and use a spray bottle to keep the soil moist once sown. 
• Keep it moist – Try to keep the soil moist using room-temperature water (distilled if possible). You don’t want to drown the seed, but it should be maintained with moisture. 
• Trap the moisture – From the moment the seed is sown to the first sign of sprout, aim to trap the moisture in the container. This can be done by covering the container with a plastic bag or lid. Make sure to keep the lid from touching the soil. Once you start seeing a sprout, remove the cover. Carry on with the same amount of moisture, only this time; let it dry out each time before adding extra water. 
• Maintain soil warmth – The ideal temperature for germination is between 70-80°F (21-27°C). Some handy tips are having the containers sit on a sunny window sill or somewhere else that keeps the base warm, like the top of a refrigerator. Heat mats can also be purchased to help the process.
• Apply Fertilizer – Once the seeds’ second set of leaves begins to show, it’s time for fertilizer. Add half strength for the first 4 weeks, then switch to full strength until it’s time to plant.
• Giving them lightly – 14-16 hours of light per day is optimal for these plants to thrive. Artificial lighting is a great option if they aren’t receiving adequate natural light.
• Strengthen with air – Adding a gentle powered fan can strengthen the plant’s stem and keep any nasties away. 
• ‘Harden’ them up before transporting – This process should begin 14 days before the desired transfer/planting date. It aims to prepare the seeds for its new environment. The basis is to leave the plants outside in a covered, protected spot on warmer days. During the night, you should bring them back inside again. Start with 3-4 hours, then increase the time spent outside each day to the 14-day mark. Avoid leaving them out on windy days. This will promote the strength and conditioning of the plant for its new home.

Cuttings

1. Set up an 8-inch wide by the 8-inch deep pot with good quality peat soil.
2. Take a ‘nodal’ cutting from an existing part of a catnip plant. A Nodal cutting is directly at the base of a plant’s nodes. Internodal is in between multiple nodes. Strip the stem so there are only 2-4 leaves left at the top end.
3. Make a hole in the soil (with the back end of a pen or something long and skinny) as deep as about an inch under the leaves of the cutting. Push in the cutting, so the leaves are an inch above the soil.
4. Rinse and repeat. You should be able to fit 6-8 cuttings in 1 pot.
5. Lightly press the soil around each cutting, so they are smugly packed in and can’t move around a loose hole.
6. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to keep the humidity in. You may need to bend a metal coat hanger or wire to create a dome-like shape over the cuttings. This ensures that the bag doesn’t touch the plants from above. 
7. Keep them moist by opening up the cover and spraying/watering them at the base.
8. They should start rooting in 4-to 7 days, depending on the conditions. 
9. Once the root is formed well, you can transfer each cutting to an individual pot where they can grow solo. Identically, you could re-plant them directly into the soil. 

Division

This method is a lot simpler and less time-consuming. All you need to do is:

1. Dig out the desired plant while keeping the whole root system intact.
2. Shake off any excess soil to fully clean and expose the root system.
3. Take a sharp cutting tool (sheers, hori hori) and divide the plant, including the root system, to the desired size.
4. Replant each ‘cutting’ as you normally would plant something. Dig a hole allowing enough depth for the root system to be under the top of the soil. Fill over the base with soil and press firmly. Water it and let the sun do the rest!

Layering

Layering is another easier way to propagate catnip. There are multiple layering methods; we’ll go through the ‘simple layering’ style as it’s the easiest for beginners.

1. Choose a catnip plant that has some longer stems. 
2. Try to find a lower growing, more flexible stem and bend it towards the soil.
3. Using some soil, create a small mound in the middle of the stem. Aim to leave the top 6-12 inches of the plant exposed as if it were a new plant growing at a lower height. 
4. Carefully bend the top end of the plant upwards, so it’s standing tall.
5. Use a small staple or stake to pin the stem down. 
6. The pinned-down sections will severe themselves from around a few months to a year. After this period, you can dig them up and replant them as individual plants. Autumn is the best time to uproot them, and spring is an optimal time of year to plant them as the ground becomes much warmer. 

Types of Catnip Plants

There are many different types of catnip varieties, but the most common are:

Type

• Botanical Name
• Appearance
• Size
• Utility

Greek Catnip

• Nepeta parnassica
• Fragrant leaves with long spikes of purple-blue flowers
• 1.5 feet (50 cm)
• Border planting or filling corners out in courtyards

Camphor Catnip

• Nepeta camphorata
• White flowers with purple dots. Aromatic leaves and tubular flowers
• 1.5 feet (50 cm)
• Antioxidant potential and ornamental use

Lemon Catnip

• Nepeta citriodora
• Small purple-spotted white flowers. Lemon-scented, scallop-edged leaves.
• 3 feet (1 m) 
• Ornamental suits small box gardens. Keeps certain insects away.

Most the species of catnip have similar characteristics to the household mint plant, and they have the same squarish-type stem. The leaves are heart-shaped with the finest hairs that almost make them feel sticky to touch. They are generally grey/green in color. 

How To Grow Catnip Indoors Correctly?

It is fun and easy for beginners to learn how to grow catnip Indoors. Most herbs from the mint family are generally pretty simple to get going without too much waiting time between stages. Let’s look at how this can be achieved in simplified steps. 

Seed Stratification

Going through this process pre-treats the seeds to be ready to be planted in colder conditions. It helps remove the seed’s natural defense coating required to speed up the germination process. Consequently, giving a more reliable and much faster result. This will give them the best chance at survival. 

1. Put the seeds in an airtight bag or covered bowl and leave them in the freezer overnight.
2. In the morning, take them out of the freezer and let them sit submerged in a bowl of water for another 12-24 hours. 

Soil and Potting

1. When choosing a pot, think about any curious cats, for cat’s sake! I mean, choose one that is sturdy and unbreakable, like a plastic variant, for example. The last thing you want is a playful feline coming to get a whiff of their kryptonite and crashing the pot unexpectedly. Size-wise, you want something around 8 inches wide by 8 inches deep. This size is ample for the catnip to expand as it grows. Holes in the bottom of the pot are always a bonus for drainage also!
2. Fill the pot with good quality potting mix and pack lightly so the roots can build strength as they grow. 
3. Add the stratified seeds to the potting mix and sprinkle some extra soil over the top. Pack the soil down lightly over the seeds.

Lighting

Adequate lighting is a key component to plant growth for both light and heat. Put the pot somewhere that receives a good amount of light for at least 8-10 hours of the day. Either on a window sill or an outdoor area with wind protection while the plant is still building strength.

Watering

Watering in intervals is vital for the sustained growth of your catnip plant. You should try to keep the schedule pretty strict until it is stable enough to cut back the amount it receives.

1. Using a simple spray bottle, mist the plant 1-2 times per day, depending on how dry the air is. Aim to keep the soil moist but not soggy and drowning.
2. After the 8-15 day mark, the seeds should start sprouting. At this point, the watering schedule will change. Water the plant every 4-7 days (until the seedlings grow to 1-2 inches tall); again, keep the soil moist but not over-saturated.
3. When you notice that the plant has become a bit more stable, you can cut down the watering every 7-12 days. A good sign to keep in mind is when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, give it some more moisture.

Pruning and Deadheading

This is where the fun part begins! All the hard work is pretty much complete. Now it’s time to reap some reward. At this stage, you can use the catnip for whatever you like. When it reaches 6-8 inches, it’s good to go! Deadheading is where a plant has bloomed, and you remove the stem below a spent flower and a little above the first set of full-grown healthy leaves. This is normal practice in plant maintenance. The upkeep of the plant will ensure that it keeps producing. This can be achieved by:

1. Aim to prune once the first round of blooming occurs. This will allow the plant to bloom again just before winter rolls around. 
2. Once the first frost sets in (if it does where you are from), prune the plants to about 3-4 inches in height (7.5cm-10cm). This will ensure that a decent amount of new growth occurs when the spring season arrives. 

That’s pretty much it! Your plants should keep producing now as long as they are maintained properly. Give them the chance to regrow after you prune them before use.

Extra Tips for Growing Catnip Indoors

A few quick tips should be remembered when growing catnip indoors:

Do’s

• Give them lightly – Catnip loves the light that the sun offers. No matter what stage the plant is at, give it as much natural light as possible, and this will encourage strong, sustainable growth from leaf to root.
• Adequate Pot Drainage – Make sure you choose a pot with really good drainage holes. If they don’t have any or are too small, the water will just pool in the soil at the bottom of the pot. As a result, the roots will rot and kill the plant. 
• Schedule Fertilizing – This tip is super important. Give your plants the fertilizer they need every month to ensure that it gets all their nutrients. This will enable the plant too fast track its growth. As a result, your yields will increase, and your cat will be somewhat happier!
• Propagate – Propagation is always a good practice to partake in, and you will be able to multiply your yield in a much shorter time frame. Simply snip off a decent cutting and replant it with some good-quality soil!
• Space your plants – Aim to give your catnip plants enough space to grow within their separate pots. If they are too close to one another, they will become tangled, and it will cause growth problems if not maintained. Catnip is a fairly bushy herb, so they can start clashing very early on.

Dont’s

• Check for insects – A big issue with purchasing any plant from a nursery is the possibility of transporting unwanted pests to your home. Ensure you have a good check over the plant that you bring home to ensure this is not the case. The last thing you want is for your catnip to be destroyed and any other plant you may have. 
• Leave the plant unattended – If you have cats around, they will go bananas for this stuff. They can’t overdose on it but giving them free-roaming rights could see them maneuvering around the plant and destroying it. As a result, you may be left with no plant at all.  
• Water the leaves – Always water catnip at the base of its stem. If you spray this type of plant anywhere else, you risk inviting bugs or creating an environment for unwanted disease. 
• Re-use soil – This is common practice. Always try to use new soil where you can. If you use old soil, you could have issues with any contaminants or bugs that used it as their home before you decided to change over. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

It’s fair to say that catnip is a really good idea for beginners to learn how To grow catnip indoors. It’s easy to find and propagate and requires minimal effort for a decent yield. The maintenance is also pretty straightforward.

All that’s left to do is rinse and repeat and have yourself a stable catnip-producing machine. With a little TLC, of course. Your cat will love you for it! I hope that you have found this article helpful; thanks for reading!