When To Cut Catnip

If you want to use the leaves and flowers of your catnip as a medicinal plant or herb, the right time to cut it is in the summer. If you want to prevent and contain the spread of your catmint, the right time to prune it is in the spring between February and March.

Should you let catnip flower?

It's best to keep your catnip plant from blooming, so be sure to cut off any budding stems before they have a chance to bloom. This will encourage the plant to grow fuller. Regular harvesting of the leaves will keep the plant growing strong—and make for happy kitties, who can eat the leaves fresh or dried.

How do you trim and dry catnip?

Instead, cut plant stalks a couple of inches above the soil line. To dry the catnip, bundle small groups of stalks together and loosely place them upside down in clean paper bags. Hang the bags in a dark, dry place until the plants inside have dried completely.

Can you cut back catnip in the summer?

This sun-loving perennial is a super summer bloomer, an incredible pollinator plant, and tough as nails; it's definitely on the list of stress-free and easy garden plants. You can cut this cat back anytime of the year, as hard as you want and as often as you want.

How do you know when catnip is done growing?

Wait to harvest your catnip until after your plant blooms because flowering catnip plants have stronger and more aromatic leaves. When your plant is six inches or taller, it's ready to harvest. Harvest the full stems of your catnip once the morning dew has passed to give your catnip a head-start in the drying process.

How do you harvest catnip so it keeps growing?

By cutting it completely down, rather than just removing a portion, it will regrow much quicker. Catnip can be harvested at any time during the growing season; however, when the plant is flowering the oils, which are really what cats crave, are at their peak. The botanical name for catnip is Nepeta cataria.

Can cats eat catnip straight from the plant?

Cats can ingest catnip, and it may even be helpful for their digestive tract. The catnip plant has actually been used in people for its antidiarrheal properties. With this said, it is important to prevent your cat from ingesting large amounts of catnip, as this can cause digestive upset.

What part of catnip do you harvest?

Catnip plants grow quickly and will readily replace what you remove. However, they are more likely to regrow stems than single leaves, so to harvest, cut off entire stems close to the base of the plant. Then you can remove individual leaves and allow them out to dry on a screen or drying tray.

Is it OK to leave catnip?

Just be sure to keep any catnip plants out of paw's reach. While a little nibbling on the leaves probably won't harm your cat, the plant might not fair so well. Your cat could also knock the plant over and get hurt or dig around in the dirt and make a big mess that you'll be left to clean up.

How far back do you cut catmint?

Catmint can be pruned back 2 times a year. Once in the late fall or early spring, cut all of the dead foliage and stems to within 4-6 inches of the ground. This is the cleanup pruning that will prepare Catmint for vigorous regrowth the next growing season.

Do cats prefer fresh catnip or dried catnip?

Use the Live Plant While dried catnip will certainly do the trick, like most herbs, fresh catnip is best.

Does dried catnip lose its potency?

Because the attractant in catnip is a volatile oil, dried catnip will lose its potency over time. It can be stored in the freezer if you want to use it later.

Do cats need a break from catnip?

After interacting with the live plant, dried bits, or infused toy, cat parents can expect catnip affects to last around 10 minutes, according to The Humane Society. And kitties will need a break from the herb. “It may take as long as two hours for him to “reset” and become susceptible to catnip again.”

How do you stop catnip from spreading?

Catnip plants spread readily by seed, so in order to control its spread, you'll need to remove the flowers before they go to seed.

Does catnip grow back every year?

Catnip grows as a loosely branching, low perennial, which means it will die back in the winter in most areas and then come back in the spring.

How long do cats stay stoned on catnip?

Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning out. They may meow or growl at the same time. Other cats become hyperactive or downright aggressive, especially if you approach them. Usually these sessions last about 10 minutes, after which your cat loses interest.

What is the lifespan of catnip?

The average shelf life for catnip is around six months. That assumes, however, that the catnip is opened and used every few days, or that it isn't always stored properly.

Do I need to deadhead catnip?

Remove spent catnip flowers by pinching them off to prevent self-seeding. After flowering, catnips become scraggly and need cutting back. Prune after the first bloom to encourage a second flowering before the winter season. Cut Nepeta plants down to 3″ or 4″ inches after the first frost.

Is Meowijuana a catnip?

Organic Catnip Meowijuana is a non-addictive catnip. There are no added ingredients that are harmful for your pet.

How do you grow the most potent catnip?

According to the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, catnip's aroma increases when grown in a sandy medium, which also helps control its invasiveness. By planting the catnip in an alkaline, sandy medium and burying the pot outside, you get maximum-strength catnip without the spreading.