Catnip is one of the most popular herbs out there. Their popularity is widely associated with their animated effect on cats- it puts cats in a state of euphoria. You may consider growing catnip if you have a cat in your house. Fresh or dried catnip can make your cat roll on the floor. Fortunately, there are plenty of catnip plants for sale you can purchase and plant in your garden.
But before you start growing your catnip, you need to know some crucial things. These include:
- It is easy to grow
After the final severe frost of the season, catnip can be grown successfully. Catnip thrives in sunny locations and doesn’t require much in the way of upkeep once it’s established. This flowering herbaceous plant will come back year after year if properly cared for because it is a perennial.
Before you purchase a catnip plant for sale, remember that catnip needs a large amount of space to develop properly and thrive, just like most cats. When it matures, your home will be the most sought-after residence in the neighborhood, at least among the population of cats.
- It is a perennial plant.
Catnip, also known as Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb that may be found growing throughout the United States. It is a member of the mint family. The plant bears delicate blooms that are white and lavender and has jagged, heart-shaped leaves and a hint of mint fragrance. The aroma of the catnip plant is what attracts cats to it, and some prefer nibbling on the plant’s leaves.
If it is not contained, the plant can reach a height of up to three feet and quickly spread if allowed. Catnip plants go dormant over the winter months in areas with lower average temperatures, but they sprout back up again in the spring.
- Catnip causes chemical reactions to take place in the brains of cats.
Nepetalactone is the name given to the active components of catnip responsible for causing playful and energizing responses in cats. Nepetalactone is naturally produced by several plants belonging to the genus Nepeta. Catnip is one of these plants. Insects can be warded off by the plant’s natural oils, which are odorless and colorless.
Smelling catnip leaves or dried catnip, which is believed to imitate pheromones, can cause chemicals to be released in a cat’s brain. These chemicals can cause the cat to experience phases of hyperactive elation or laid-back sloth.
- The herb is safe for plants but in small doses.
Catnip is something that the vast majority of cats truly appreciate, but because it might have some undesirable side effects, it is better to only give them very small amounts of it. Even though it is normally safe, consuming excessive amounts of catnip might result in vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling. It is difficult to encourage cats to stop playing with catnip once they have had a scent of it, so after usage, store catnip and catnip-laced toys where your cats can’t reach them.
Even though catnip does not pose a health risk to younger cats, consuming too much of it might cause upset stomachs in kittens, especially if they are very young.
