Catnip Planting Guide

Catnip is a hardy perennial herb in the mint family known for its effect on cats. It also makes a calming tea and is a useful companion plant that repels some pests.

Nepeta cataria · Herb · Lamiaceae family · 60–80 days to maturity

Get Your Personalized Catnip Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Catnip?

Zone Compatibility for Catnip Zones 3a – 9b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

Planting Dates by Zone

Zone	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest
Zone 3a	—	—	May 22	Jul 24 – Sep 25
Zone 3b	—	—	May 17	Jul 19 – Sep 20
Zone 4a	—	—	May 13	Jul 15 – Sep 16
Zone 4b	—	—	May 8	Jul 10 – Sep 11
Zone 5a	—	—	May 2	Jul 4 – Sep 5
Zone 5b	—	—	Apr 25	Jun 27 – Aug 29
Zone 6a	—	—	Apr 17	Jun 19 – Aug 21
Zone 6b	—	—	Apr 10	Jun 12 – Aug 14
Zone 7a	—	—	Apr 1	Jun 3 – Aug 5
Zone 7b	—	—	Mar 25	May 27 – Jul 29
Zone 8a	—	—	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 19
Zone 8b	—	—	Mar 4	May 6 – Jul 8
Zone 9a	—	—	Feb 17	Apr 21 – Jun 23
Zone 9b	—	—	Feb 1	Apr 5 – Jun 7

Why are some columns showing "—"?

Start Indoors shows "—" because Catnip is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.

Direct Sow shows "—" because Catnip benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.

How to Plant Catnip

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

Drought tolerant — water only when soil is dry 2" deep.

🧪 Soil pH

6 – 7.5

Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.

🗺️ Hardiness Zones

Zone 3a – 9b

📅 Days to Maturity

60–80 days

Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.

👪 Plant Family

Lamiaceae

Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Lamiaceae family crops grew last year.

Succession Planting Catnip

Catnip matures in just 60–80 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.

Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.

Companion Planting for Catnip

✅ Good Companions

Squash Summer Pumpkin Beets

Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Growing Tips for Catnip

Direct sow or start indoors. Catnip is very easy to grow and can become invasive. Harvest leaves before flowering for tea. Protect young plants from cats.

Saving Catnip Seeds

Recommended for Your Garden

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Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

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Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

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Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Level Up Your Garden

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

Learn when to harvest, how to dry, and how to store seeds from 200 plants. Never buy seeds again.

Learn More →

Catnip by State

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grow Catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) takes 60 to 80 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.

What zones can Catnip grow in?

Catnip can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.

How much sun does Catnip need?

Growing Catnip requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Low — drought tolerant, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.

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