Planting Catnip – Nepeta cataria

When we first moved in, we noticed, and really liked the triangle garden right in front of the house. It was so full of a variety of plants. After we were settled for a bit, reality set in and I decided that this garden was way too full and needed to be cleaned out.

One of the plants that was making the garden so messy looking was Catnip, or Nepeta cataria. I have heard some stuff about the plant, but never learned really all that much about it. Come to find out, it is a very good plant to have around for a variety or reasons.

I like the plant and decided that I would like to keep it around, just not in the front garden. It has a tendency to spread like there is no tomorrow. Since things started to bloom here in the Northeast, I have been pulling the remnance of Catnip out of the front garden and walking it all the way down the backyard and planting it back there. It is seeming to take off well. Apparently, it takes a lot to kill this plant as well.

I have a word of warning to you…if you are planning on planting Catnip in a garden of yours, please beware that this plant spreads via an aggressive root system. If it spreads too far, you will need to pull it out. But remember that it will come up again. Also, if you decide that you don’t want it anymore, it is very difficult to get rid of. So think long and hard before planting Catnip.