Catnip Planting Guide
Planting catnip in May
Some notes on catnip care that hold up no matter where you garden — then check your zone for specifics.
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How to water catnip
Water deeply but infrequently. catnip prefers to dry out between waterings — soggy soil causes more problems than thirst.
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Where to put catnip
South-facing beds are ideal for catnip. Shade from nearby trees or fences costs real production.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant catnip. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
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?
Catnip Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Catnip planting schedule for that location.
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
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
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
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Catnip by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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.