Zenobia's Garden

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – Live Starter Plugs (3 Plugs) – Perennial Herb

Name: Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – Live Starter Plugs (3 Plugs) – Perennial Herb
Brand: Zenobia's Garden
SKU: CNIP789
Price: 15.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$15.00 USD

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Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a hardy perennial herb beloved by cats and valued in traditional herbal gardens. Its soft gray-green foliage and small white flowers attract pollinators while providing enrichment for feline companions. You will receive 3 starter plugs for this purchase.

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Plant Details

* Botanical name: Nepeta cataria
* Common name: Catnip
* Plant type: Perennial herb
* Light: Full sun to partial shade
* Hardiness Zones: 3-9
* Mature height: 24-36 inches
* Spread: 18-24 inches

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Growing Information

Catnip is easy to grow and thrives in well-draining soil. Once established, it is drought tolerant and low maintenance. Plants may spread by seed if flowers are left to mature.

For cat owners, many prefer to harvest leaves fresh or dry them for homemade toys and enrichment.

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Important Note

Catnip can self-seed and may spread in garden beds. Plant in a designated area or container if you prefer to control growth.

Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before
using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing,
or on any medications. For educational purposes only. This
information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Medicinal HerbPerennial

Nepeta cataria

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – Live Starter Plugs (3 Plugs) – Perennial Herb

Catnip is far more than a cat toy — it is a carminative, a digestive soother, and one of the gentlest herbs we know. A dropper of catnip and peppermint tea calmed our grandson's severe colic when nothing else worked. That long shuddering breath of relief is why we grow herbs.

$15.00

Farm-Grown in MissouriLive Arrival Guarantee

Grown by hand on our 8-acre Missouri farm
Healthy plant guarantee — arrives thriving or we replace it
Expert growing tips included with every order

Add to Cart — $15.00

Growing Guide

Plant Care Guide

Simple guidance to help your plant thrive.

Part Shade

Catnip appreciates part shade, especially in hot summers. It dries out easily in full sun and loses its aromatic quality when stressed.

Part shade preferred
Full sun causes stress and drying
Keep well watered if in sunny spot
Loses aromatics when heat-stressed

Moderate — Consistent Moisture

Catnip likes consistent moisture and will dry out quickly in full sun. Regular watering keeps the plant lush and aromatic.

Keep consistently moist
Dries out easily in heat
Regular watering maintains quality
Mulch to retain soil moisture

Average, Well-Drained Soil

Catnip grows well in average garden soil with decent drainage. It spreads by seed to odd places — we find it volunteering in the chicken pen and at the edge of the burn pile.

Average well-drained soil
Self-seeds to unexpected places
Chicken-friendly
Mint family herb

Why We Grow It

Why Gardeners Love This Plant

The Colic Story

Our grandson spent his first year on an NG tube after surgery. He had terrible colic and nothing was helping. A dropper of catnip and peppermint tea — and you would hear this long shuddering breath and he would just relax. That is why we grow herbs.

Carminative — Soothes Digestion

Catnip is carminative, meaning it calms the digestive system, relieves gas, and eases cramping. It is gentle enough for infants in appropriate doses and effective for adults.

Strong Fresh Scent

Fresh catnip has a powerful musky scent that many people find surprisingly strong and pleasant. If you have never smelled fresh catnip from the garden, you are in for a revelation.

Cats Optional

Our domestically raised cats have no reaction to catnip whatsoever. The wild cats that visit the farm go absolutely wild for it. We throw a little snip on the floor during plant packing just to watch them carry on.

Good to Know

Growing Tips & Common Questions

Everything you need to help your plant settle in and thrive.

Catnip tea is the classic preparation for digestive upset, gas, and cramping. For acute situations, a tincture delivers a more concentrated and faster-acting effect. Harvest and dry at low temperatures to preserve the aromatic compounds.

Catnip has a long tradition of use for children — colic, digestive upset, mild anxiety, and sleep support. It is considered one of the safer herbs for pediatric use in appropriate doses.

In good conditions, catnip can reach 4-5 feet tall. Regular harvesting keeps it bushy and productive. The more you harvest, the more it branches and produces.

Like all mint family herbs, catnip must be dried at low temperatures to preserve its aromatic volatile oils. Harvest before it fully flowers, hang in loose bundles, or use a dehydrator on the lowest setting.

Keep Growing