How to Start Harvesting Catnip: A Complete Guide

Introduction

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is more than just an herb that sends our feline friends into a state of bliss. This versatile perennial plant from the mint family has been cultivated for centuries, not only for its effects on cats but also for its medicinal properties, culinary uses, and ornamental value in gardens. Whether you’re a cat owner looking to provide fresh catnip for your pets, an herb enthusiast interested in its medicinal benefits, or a gardener wanting to add this attractive plant to your landscape, learning how to harvest catnip properly is essential for maximizing its potency and benefits.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about growing, harvesting, and processing catnip. From selecting the right varieties to timing your harvest perfectly, and from drying techniques to storage solutions, this guide covers all aspects of catnip cultivation and harvesting. We’ll also explore the various uses of catnip beyond its famous feline-attracting properties, including its potential benefits for human consumption and its role in natural pest control.

Understanding Catnip Basics

Before diving into harvesting techniques, it’s important to understand what catnip is and why it’s worth growing in the first place.

What Is Catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae. Native to Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, this hardy plant has naturalized in many regions across North America. Catnip grows up to 3 feet tall and features distinctive square stems (characteristic of plants in the mint family), heart-shaped, toothed leaves with a grayish-green color, and small white to lavender flowers that bloom in clusters from late spring through fall.

The plant contains an essential oil called nepetalactone, primarily found in its leaves and stems. This compound is responsible for triggering the famous euphoric response in cats. When cats smell nepetalactone, it binds to receptors in their nasal tissue, stimulating sensory neurons that affect various regions in the feline brain, including those involved in emotion and behavior.

Benefits of Growing Your Own Catnip

For cat owners, cultivating catnip at home ensures:

• Fresh supply: Always have potent, fresh catnip available for your feline companions
• Cost-effective: Save money compared to repeatedly purchasing commercial catnip products
• Quality control: Know exactly what’s in your catnip without additives or preservatives
• Enrichment: Provide a natural form of entertainment and stress relief for indoor cats

For gardeners, catnip offers:

• Drought tolerance: Once established, catnip is remarkably resilient with minimal watering needs
• Pest repellent: Naturally deters many garden pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, and certain types of flies
• Pollinator attraction: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies
• Ornamental value: Adds texture and soft color to garden landscapes

For herbalists, catnip provides:

• Mild sedative properties: Used in teas to promote relaxation and sleep in humans
• Digestive aid: Can help soothe upset stomachs and reduce intestinal gas
• Mild fever reducer: Traditionally used to help lower fevers through inducing sweating
• Aromatic component: Adds a pleasant, minty-lemon fragrance to herbal preparations

Growing Catnip for Harvesting

Before you can harvest catnip, you need to successfully grow it. Though catnip is relatively easy to cultivate, understanding its optimal growing conditions will ensure a plentiful harvest.

Selecting Catnip Varieties

While Nepeta cataria is the “true” catnip most effective for feline enjoyment, there are several related varieties worth considering:

• Common Catnip (Nepeta cataria): The standard variety with the highest concentration of nepetalactone, making it perfect for cat owners.
• Lemon Catnip (Nepeta cataria citriodora): Features a pleasant lemony scent that many find more appealing for human consumption.
• Greek Catnip (Nepeta parnassica): A more ornamental variety with larger flowers and a more subtle effect on cats.
• Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii): Often confused with catnip, these ornamental varieties have beautiful lavender-blue flowers but contain less nepetalactone, making them less attractive to cats but more valuable in landscaping.

Bold tip: When growing specifically for cats, stick with Nepeta cataria for maximum feline enjoyment.

Starting Catnip Plants

You have several options for establishing catnip in your garden:

From Seeds:

1. Start indoors: Begin seeds 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost
2. Surface sow: Catnip seeds need light to germinate; press them lightly onto soil but don’t cover
3. Keep moist: Maintain consistent moisture until germination occurs (typically 7-10 days)
4. Patience required: Catnip can be slow to establish in its first year

From Cuttings:

1. Select healthy stems: Cut 4-6 inch sections from established plants
2. Remove lower leaves: Strip leaves from the bottom half of each cutting
3. Root development: Place in water or moist potting medium until roots form
4. Transplant: Move to permanent location once roots are established

From Nursery Plants:

1. Immediate satisfaction: Start with established plants for faster harvests
2. Transplant carefully: Catnip has a delicate root system; handle with care
3. Water thoroughly: Help plants establish in their new location with deep initial watering

Ideal Growing Conditions

Catnip thrives under these conditions:

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (minimum 6 hours of direct sunlight daily)
• Soil: Well-draining, average to poor soil (catnip actually performs better in less fertile soil)
• pH preference: Slightly alkaline to neutral (6.0-7.5)
• Spacing: 18-24 inches between plants (catnip can spread)
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; water only during prolonged dry periods
• Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 3-9

Bold highlight: Catnip grows most vigorously in poor to moderately fertile soil—overly rich soil produces lush foliage but reduces essential oil content and potency.

Container Growing

For those with limited space or who want to control catnip’s spreading tendency:

• Container size: Minimum 12 inches deep and wide
• Potting mix: Standard potting soil mixed with 1/3 sand or perlite for drainage
• Drainage: Ensure pots have adequate drainage holes
• Location: Place containers where they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight
• Winter care: In cold regions (zones 3-5), provide container plants with extra protection or bring them indoors

When to Harvest Catnip

Timing is crucial when harvesting catnip to ensure maximum potency and flavor.

Optimal Harvest Timeline

The ideal time to harvest catnip depends on your intended use:

• First year growth: Minimal harvesting recommended; allow plant to establish
• Second year onward: Full harvests possible 2-3 times per growing season
• Spring harvest: First cutting when plants reach 8-12 inches tall
• Summer harvest: Second cutting just before or at early flowering stage
• Fall harvest: Final cutting at least 4-6 weeks before first frost

Time of Day Considerations

The concentration of essential oils in catnip fluctuates throughout the day:

• Morning harvest (optimal): Harvest after dew has dried but before midday heat
• Mid-morning (8-10 AM): Essential oil concentration peaks in most regions
• Avoid rainfall: Don’t harvest when plants are wet from rain or heavy dew
• Avoid extreme heat: Essential oils diminish during the hottest parts of the day

Bold highlight: For maximum potency, harvest catnip on a dry, sunny morning after dew has evaporated but before the intense midday sun.

Signs of Harvest Readiness

Look for these indicators that your catnip is ready for harvesting:

• Plant height: Ideally 12-18 inches tall
• Leaf development: Full-sized leaves with good color
• Pre-flowering stage: Just before or at the very beginning of flowering for highest essential oil content
• Aroma test: Leaves should release a strong, pleasant scent when gently crushed

How to Harvest Catnip Properly

Using the right techniques when harvesting catnip ensures healthy plant regrowth and maximum yield.

Tools You’ll Need

Gather these supplies before beginning your harvest:

• Sharp scissors or garden shears: Clean and disinfected to prevent disease transmission
• Harvest basket: A breathable container to collect cut stems
• Garden gloves: Optional, but helpful if you have sensitive skin
• Paper bags or screens: For drying the harvested catnip
• Twine or rubber bands: If you plan to hang-dry stems in bundles

Harvesting Techniques

Follow these steps for a successful catnip harvest:

1. Sanitize tools: Clean cutting tools with a 10% bleach solution or rubbing alcohol
2. Select healthy stems: Choose robust, unblemished stems for harvesting
3. Proper cutting height: Cut stems 2-3 inches above the soil line or just above a leaf node
4. Harvesting proportion: Remove no more than 1/3 to 1/2 of the plant at one time
5. Bundle as you go: Group stems loosely to allow air circulation

For leaves only:

• Strip fresh leaves from stems if you only need the foliage
• Leave stems intact on the plant to encourage faster regrowth

For whole plant harvest (end of season):

• Cut the entire plant down to 2 inches above soil level
• This encourages dense, bushy growth in the following season

Post-Harvest Plant Care

After harvesting, give your catnip plants some attention to ensure continued productivity:

• Light watering: Provide a gentle watering after significant harvesting
• Avoid fertilizing: Catnip doesn’t require additional feeding after harvest
• Mulching: Apply a light mulch around plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds
• Recovery period: Allow 3-4 weeks between major harvests for plant recovery
• Deadheading: Remove any remaining flower heads to prevent self-seeding if desired

Bold tip: To prevent catnip from becoming invasive, remove flower heads before they go to seed, especially if planted directly in gardens rather than containers.

Processing Your Catnip Harvest

Once harvested, catnip requires proper processing to preserve its potency and aroma.

Fresh vs. Dried Catnip

Consider how you’ll use your catnip:

Fresh catnip benefits:

• Highest potency for immediate cat enrichment
• Best flavor for culinary uses
• More potent medicinal properties

Dried catnip benefits:

• Long-term storage possibility (up to 2 years when properly stored)
• Concentrated effects (some cats respond more strongly to dried catnip)
• Convenient for creating toys and sachets
• Easier to pulverize for various applications

Cleaning Your Harvest

Before drying or using fresh:

1. Gentle inspection: Look over harvested material for insects, damaged leaves, or foreign matter
2. Remove debris: Discard any discolored, damaged, or diseased plant parts
3. Light cleaning: For dusty plants, very gently rinse with cool water
4. Pat dry: If washed, carefully pat leaves dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture
5. Sorting: Separate leaves from stems if different parts will be used for different purposes

Bold highlight: If washing catnip, ensure it’s completely dry before storage or further processing—any remaining moisture can cause mold and ruin your harvest.

Drying Methods for Catnip

Several effective methods exist for drying catnip:

Air Drying (Traditional method):

1. Bundle 5-10 stems together with twine or rubber bands
2. Hang bundles upside down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated area
3. Allow 1-2 weeks for complete drying
4. Test readiness by ensuring stems snap cleanly when bent

Screen Drying (Faster for leaves):

1. Remove leaves from stems
2. Spread in a single layer on screens or drying racks
3. Place in a warm, dry location away from direct sunlight
4. Turn leaves daily for even drying
5. Complete drying typically takes 3-7 days

Oven Drying (Quick method):

1. Spread plant material on baking sheets
2. Set oven to lowest possible setting (preferably below 170°F/77°C)
3. Leave oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape
4. Check every 15-20 minutes to prevent scorching
5. Complete drying typically takes 1-3 hours

Dehydrator Drying (Efficient method):

1. Arrange catnip on dehydrator trays
2. Set temperature to 95-115°F (35-46°C)
3. Dry for 1-4 hours depending on humidity and leaf thickness
4. Rotate trays occasionally for even drying

Bold tip: Regardless of drying method, catnip is properly dried when leaves crumble easily between your fingers but aren’t so dry that they turn to powder at the slightest touch.

Storing Your Harvested Catnip

Proper storage ensures your catnip maintains its potency for as long as possible.

Storage Containers

The best options for storing dried catnip:

• Glass jars: Airtight mason jars with screw-top lids are ideal
• Metal tins: With tight-fitting lids provide good protection
• Paper bags: Suitable for short-term storage in very dry environments
• Mylar bags: With zip seals offer excellent protection against light and air

Avoid plastic containers when possible, as they can:

• Absorb essential oils from the catnip
• Impart plastic odors to the herb
• Create static electricity that depletes volatile compounds

Storage Conditions

Maintain these conditions for maximum shelf life:

• Temperature: Cool environment (50-70°F/10-21°C)
• Light exposure: Dark or opaque containers to prevent light degradation
• Humidity: Low humidity environment to prevent mold
• Air exposure: Minimize by using airtight containers
• Handling: Minimize opening containers; each exposure to air diminishes potency

Bold highlight: Label all stored catnip with the harvest date—even properly stored catnip gradually loses potency after 1-2 years.

Freezing Catnip

For long-term preservation of fresh catnip:

1. Preparation: Chop or leave whole as desired
2. Portioning: Divide into usable portions
3. Container options:
   • Ice cube trays (fill with chopped catnip and a small amount of water)
   • Freezer bags (remove as much air as possible)
   • Small freezer-safe containers
4. Usage: Thaw only what you need; refreeze remaining portions promptly

Using Your Harvested Catnip

Now that you’ve successfully grown, harvested, and stored your catnip, let’s explore the many ways to put it to use.

Feline Enrichment

The most popular use for catnip:

• Fresh leaves: Offer directly or rub on scratching posts or toys
• Dried and crushed: Sprinkle small amounts on cat bedding or play areas
• DIY cat toys:
  1. Sew small fabric pouches filled with dried catnip
  2. Replace the catnip every few weeks as potency diminishes
  3. Store unused toys in airtight containers to maintain potency
• Catnip spray:
  1. Steep dried catnip in hot water
  2. Strain and cool the “tea”
  3. Transfer to a spray bottle
  4. Use on cat furniture or toys

Bold tip: Not all cats respond to catnip—approximately 30% of cats lack the genetic sensitivity to nepetalactone. The response is hereditary and doesn’t typically appear until cats are 3-6 months old.

Culinary Uses

Catnip has a long history of human consumption:

• Tea preparation:
  1. Use 1-2 teaspoons dried catnip leaves per cup of hot water
  2. Steep for 5-10 minutes
  3. Strain and enjoy (add honey to offset the slightly bitter taste)
• Culinary pairings: Use fresh young leaves in:
  1. Salads (small amounts provide a mint-like flavor)
  2. Soups and stews (as a unique herb accent)
  3. Meat dishes (particularly lamb)
• Catnip honey:
  1. Infuse fresh leaves in warm honey
  2. Strain after 2 weeks
  3. Use in teas or desserts

Medicinal Applications

Traditional herbal medicine has used catnip for centuries:

• Sleep aid: Drink catnip tea 30 minutes before bedtime to promote relaxation
• Digestive support: Take as a warm tea to soothe upset stomachs or reduce gas
• Stress relief: Use in relaxation blends with other calming herbs like chamomile
• Topical applications: Create poultices for minor swellings or insect bites

Bold highlight: Always consult with a healthcare provider before using catnip or any herb medicinally, especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

Garden and Home Uses

Beyond cats and consumption, catnip offers additional benefits:

• Natural insect repellent:
  1. Crush fresh leaves and rub on skin to deter mosquitoes
  2. Plant around garden borders to reduce pest insect populations
  3. Create sachets for drawers to deter moths
• Aromatic applications:
  1. Add to potpourri mixtures
  2. Include in homemade cleaning products
  3. Use in natural air fresheners
• Companion planting: Grow alongside:
  1. Eggplants, peppers, and potatoes to repel aphids
  2. Roses to deter Japanese beetles
  3. Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) to deter flea beetles

Troubleshooting Common Catnip Harvesting Issues

Even experienced gardeners occasionally encounter challenges when growing and harvesting catnip.

Poor Essential Oil Content

If your catnip lacks potency:

• Potential causes:
  1. Overly fertile soil (reduces oil production)
  2. Insufficient sunlight (minimum 6 hours needed)
  3. Improper harvest timing (picked too late after flowering)
  4. Heat exposure during processing
• Solutions:
  1. Avoid fertilizing catnip plants
  2. Relocate to sunnier location
  3. Harvest earlier in the growing cycle
  4. Process promptly after harvesting and keep away from heat

Pest and Disease Management

Common problems and their solutions:

• Aphids:
  1. Spray plants with strong water stream
  2. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
  3. Apply insecticidal soap if infestation is severe
• Leaf spots:
  1. Improve air circulation between plants
  2. Water at soil level, not from above
  3. Remove and destroy affected leaves
• Root rot:
  1. Ensure proper drainage
  2. Avoid overwatering
  3. Consider raising beds in wet climates

Overwintering Catnip

Preparing catnip for the next growing season:

• In-ground plants (Zones 3-9):
  1. Cut back to 2 inches above ground after final harvest
  2. Apply light mulch in very cold regions
  3. Remove mulch in early spring
• Container plants:
  1. In Zones 6-9: Leave outdoors but move to protected area
  2. In Zones 3-5: Bring containers into unheated garage or cold frame
  3. Water occasionally during winter (once every 3-4 weeks)
  4. Resume normal care when new growth appears in spring

Catnip’s natural cycle includes dying back in winter—don’t mistake this dormancy for plant death. Healthy root systems will produce new growth when temperatures warm in spring.

Harvesting catnip is a rewarding process that provides multiple benefits, from enriching your cats’ lives to enhancing your herb garden and potentially adding to your herbal medicine cabinet. By following the guidelines in this comprehensive guide, you can successfully grow, harvest, process, and store this versatile herb.

Remember that catnip cultivation is largely forgiving, making it an excellent choice for beginning gardeners. Even with minimal care, catnip typically produces abundant harvests year after year. With proper timing and technique, you’ll be able to maximize both the quantity and quality of your catnip harvests.

Whether you’re growing catnip exclusively for your feline friends or exploring its broader applications, the satisfaction of producing this herb from seed to final product adds a special dimension to the experience. Your cats will certainly appreciate your efforts in providing them with fresh, potent catnip that far exceeds the quality of most commercial products.

Start your catnip growing journey today, and you’ll soon discover why this humble herb has been cherished by both humans and their feline companions for centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions About Harvesting Catnip

Q: How long does it take for catnip to grow before I can harvest it? A: First-year catnip plants typically need 12-14 weeks from germination before a light first harvest. Established plants in their second year can be harvested when they reach 8-12 inches in height, usually 6-8 weeks after spring growth begins.

Q: Can I harvest catnip more than once per season? A: Yes! Established catnip plants can typically be harvested 2-3 times per growing season. Allow 3-4 weeks between harvests for adequate regrowth.

Q: Does catnip come back every year? A: Yes, catnip is a perennial herb in USDA zones 3-9 and will return year after year. In warmer climates, it may remain semi-evergreen through winter.

Q: How can I tell if my dried catnip is still potent? A: Properly dried catnip should retain a distinct aroma when crushed between your fingers. If it has little to no scent, its potency has diminished and it’s time to replace it.