Hi Carmen. We have five indoor/outdoor cats and two outdoor cats that only want inside occassionally. I always grow a considerable amount of catnip and will send you some seed. I think there will still be seed in a few of the old flowers. I used to have a herb nursery, many years ago. At that time I would sow seedlings in long rows. It seemed the cats were nearly unaware of it. Now, however, our gardening space is considerably limited, and I have to sow the seed in hanging containers, or prick out seedlings and pot them up. There is an old saying that goes, "Once you sow it, cats won't know it...Once you set it, cats will get it'. Once in the ground, the kitties will simply roll on it until it is totally squished. So, I usually get a few starts going in hanging pots, cut the stems way back and dry them for the winter, then place the larger starts...like a 4" size nursery plant...throughout the gardens where they will have a bit more of a chance to survive the abuse. In the meantime, I keep harvesting from the plants in the hanging baskets. ha. Seed can be sown as soon as the weather is workable in the spring. You can also start them inside under lights or in a very sunny window, but if you have any felines inside you will probably wind up with a big mess! Catnip plants are really tough and generally grow with alot of vigor in any kind of soil but really wet stuff. They do need sun or part sun to do their best. They will branch freely from the base and are one of the first plants to sprout in the spring, and the last to die back in the winter. In fact, they are often nearly evergreen in our zone 8 climate. They are also an attractive plant. DON'T plant catnip near anything you don't want ruined! The cats will probably roll on those too. As to the cats. Some actually are not attracted to it. Wee kittens don't have a nose for it. I've had two Siamese who had no reaction to it at all, and one that loved it. Jungle cats respond to it, just as our domestic caats do. We generally call for 'toddy time', in the evening when the dragonflies are racing and the breeze is coming in. The cat's gather around and they each get a bit. They either sniff it and roll in it, or eat it. It is said that eating it is good for their digestion. They usually have a big burst of energy and enjoy playing for for awhile and then they usually get sleepy. In the wild, the cats just partake of it whenever they want...I've photos of some of ours who have fallen asleep curled up in it. Anyway, as soon as it quits raining I'll see if I can gather some seed. The stuff self sows prolifically, but, as I said, I''m not usually the first one to get the little plantlets!
Happy Holidays. Sam

I have tons of it in my yard, was here when I got here. It reseeds everywhere, but it's pretty easy to pull up. I live in the country and have four cats, plus I use catnip myself when I have a cold, so it doesn't pose a problem for me (it's good for congestion and helps you sleep).
The cats love it. I think it could also be one way to keep them from going to the bathroom in a particular area...they won't go near something they eat, right? But then, I don't want it in every bed in my yard either.

Linda

They winter sow great. First year bloomers.

{{gwi:457882}}

dem_pa

Yes, and as Linda and I figured out so does CatMint do the same for colds :D
BTW, we have catnip and catmint growing around here...my neighbor has one and I have the other; some of the cats prefer my Catmint over her Catnip! LOL!!

Vera

There's a lemony-flavored catnip called Lemony Catnip (I can't remember the Latin name, but I'm pretty sure Richters in Ontario CA carries it). I like it. Grows just as good. Haven't noticed how the cats are with that one, but it does have the usual catnip scent, with a bit of lemon added to it (maybe a bee-made hybrid?). I WSed it one year just to see what it was like and I liked it.

Linda

I have two cats that enjoy their catnip. I grow a few containers of it in the summer. It certainly is not going to grow outdoors in the winter in Cincinnati, so I bring in the new shoots and place them in a window where they will get some sun. I just can't seem to make the plants grow well though. Any suggestions?