How to Grow Catnip from Seed

Jun 18, 2025

4 min read

Updated: Sep 26

How to Plant Catnip from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide

By Mr. Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is not only a treat for your feline friends but can also be used medicinally in humans. As well catnip can be a beautiful, aromatic addition to any herb garden. Growing catnip from seed is simple and rewarding. In this blog post, we'll walk you through the entire process, from seed to thriving plant...or, if you just want to start it the easy

way, you can also just buy a plant, and some indoors and out!

Buy A Catnip Plant Here Buy Seeds Here

What You'll Need

Catnip seeds (purchase from a reputable supplier)
Seed starting trays or small pots
Seed starting mix (light, well-draining soil)
Spray bottle or gentle watering can
Sunny windowsill or grow light
Gardening gloves (optional)
A small trowel
Outdoor garden space or larger containers (for transplanting)

Step 1: Prepare Your Seeds

Catnip seeds have a hard outer shell, so it's helpful to very llightly scarify (rub them lightly on sandpaper or a rough surface like a nail file) them before planting. The seeds are somewhat fragile, so rub them very gently between two pieces of sandpaper and or soak them in warm water for 12-24 hours. This helps improve germination rates.

Step 2: Planting Indoors (Recommended for Best Results)

Fill your seed trays or pots with seed starting mix.
Plant the seeds about 1/8 inch (3 mm) deep.
Lightly cover with soil and mist with water to moisten daily.
Place in a warm area (70-75°F / 21-24°C) with plenty of light. Zones 3 to 7: Catnip thrives best outdoors here, easily surviving cold winters down to -40°F and returning every spring.
Zones 8 to 9: The plant can survive in these warmer regions, though extreme and intense summer heat can stress the plant, meaning it often benefits from afternoon shade. Water a bit more frequently. When the leaves droop it already needs water.
Zones 10 and above: Outdoor perennial growth is generally not recommended due to excessive heat, but with a little shade and the right soil and watering conditions, catnip is very hardy!
Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Germination usually takes 7-14 days.

Step 3: Seedling Care

Once the seedlings sprout:

Protect them from your kitty! They will be all to happy to munch them or knock them over rubbing on them. One of my cats favorite past times. :-)
Keep them in bright light (a grow light works well), but sunlight is best.
Thin them out so that the strongest seedling remains in each pot.
Water as needed, allowing the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
Harden off the seedlings before transplanting outdoors by gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days.

Step 4: Transplanting Outdoors

When the danger of frost has passed and your seedlings are 3-4 inches tall:

Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart.
Dig holes slightly larger than the root ball of each seedling.
Place the seedlings in the holes and gently backfill.
Water thoroughly after transplanting.
Protect from Cats! A small stick fence an often keep the kitties at bay long enough
for the catnip plant to get established.

Catnip grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers average to dry soil and does not need heavy fertilization. I suggest protecting your catnip plant well until it gets large enough to handle a cat attack... :-) If the plants remain undistrubed a cat may not even notice them, however the minute the leaves are crushed cats can smell them from a significant distance. If you have multiple cats in the area, it might be best to

put a small sturdy fence around it to protect it at least until it gets larger. You can then pick off some occasionally to give to your kitties as a treat, most often it will regrow every year! With a little maintenance to reduce large weeds or things that my block its sunlight, Catnip plants are prolific seed producers, producting thousands of extremely tiny seeds, which can be spread ALL over if you want an entire field of catnip for some frolicking fun! Catnip can often be found in the wild in small dense clusters in the right areas, just be sure the catnip comes from clean soil.

Step 5: Ongoing Care

Water: Only when the topsoil feels dry. Catnip does not like constantly wet soil.
Prune: Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming leggy.
Harvest: You can begin harvesting leaves once the plant is established (usually after 12 weeks). Cut stems just above a leaf node.
Protect: If you have cats, you may need to protect young plants with a small fence or cover until they're strong enough to withstand attention!
Perennial: Catnip is a perennial, meaning it can come back year after year. If you prepare the soil around it, and protect it with some ground cover in winter, it is very likely it will come back and thrive in many places. Catnip produces many seeds and will often spread if given the chance, however it is not invasive.

Enjoy Your Homegrown Catnip!

Catnip will bloom from late spring to Autumn, and around this time can be when the buds (flower heads) are the most potent. Catnip can be used fresh, dried, or even brewed into tea for humans (you can use all parts of the plant) with various benefits (see below). Your cats will love it too! With just a bit of care, you’ll have a thriving catnip plant or small plot that will provide joy for years. Catnip plants have about a three year cycle, with year two

being the best harvest. For optimum growth, take the seeds you will get and replant them or spread themn over your plot every year, this will help ensure a nice harvest year after year.

Happy planting! The Benefits & Uses of Catnip Featuring Shanan Lipner Grover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsdH2FZmHg Catnip - It's Not Just for Cats - ID, Edible and Medicinal Uses, How to Use It and More! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w4t9363Wvc