Lemon Catnip

What Lemon Catnip is

Lemon Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). Lemon Chamomile is a related variety of common chamomile, but this form is distinguished by white flowers and lemon-scented leaves. This is a hardy plant that will survive normal winter conditions outdoors. An excellent herb for pots and for creating a fragrant spot in the garden.

With aromatic oval grey-green serrated leaves, the white flowers have a slight purple tinge and sometimes a darker purple colour. Easy to grow from seed, it does well in dry soils and light shade, or in full sun, and will flower in the first year, only 5 to 7 weeks after germination. The foliage in autumn is very fragrant.

Catnip has many medicinal uses, including relieving infant colic and lowering fever in cough medicines. Tea made from the herb is helpful for nausea and diarrhoea. Catnip induces sleep and sweating and has been drunk to relieve headaches. It was also used as a sedative in ancient Rome.

Catnip (cat herb) is a honey plant with a lemon-mint aroma that attracts cats.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 75%
• Seeds per packet: 561–759 pcs (0.4 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: March and April; transplants or direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Lemon Catnip

Lemon Catnip seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Lemon Catnip

• Sowing method: seedlings or direct
• Depth: 0.5 cm
• Spacing: 25–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 18–22 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sowing indoors is possible until late spring. Sow seeds on the surface of moist seed compost in pots. Cover the seeds with a light sprinkling of compost. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not soggy. Germination 7 to 21 days at temperatures of 16 to 22°C. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into larger pots. Overwinter autumn sowings indoors and plant out the following spring. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions over 10 to 15 days before planting out after any risk of frost has passed, at 30 cm. apart. Direct sowing in spring to early summer, once the risk of frost has passed. The seeds can be sown outdoors, directly where they are to flower. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1.2 cm. from March to May, at temperatures of around 20°C . The seeds germinate in two to three weeks. Thin the plants so that they are finally 30 cm apart by early summer. Alternatively, leave them to grow as small clumps, with 4 to 6 plants every 30 cm. The soil should be kept lightly moist, but not too wet, at all times.

Undemanding, drought-tolerant.

Harvest and use

The leaves are dried for tea and cat toys.

Frequently asked questions

When should Lemon Catnip be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: seedlings or direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 561–759 seeds, pack size 0.4 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 75%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.