ExplorePlants

Catnip

Nepeta cataria

Catnip is a fun plant that many cats love! It has soft, green leaves and can grow tall. When cats smell it, they often get very playful and happy.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Catnip has soft, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves that are typically silvery-green. Its small, tubular flowers, ranging from white to pale lavender, grow in dense, spiky clusters. Distinctive square stems help it stand out.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyLamiaceaeGenusNepeta
Catnip
aromatic trait badgeflowering trait badgefragrant_flower trait badgemedicinal trait badge
Catnip

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ancient Romans used catnip leaves to make delicious sauces for their meals.

Catnip belongs to the mint family, which explains its strong smell!

Early settlers used dried catnip to stuff dolls, creating a calming scent!

Some big cats, like lions and tigers, also react to catnip!

Special abilities

Ability

Feline Frenzy Inducer

Catnip has a special oil called nepetalactone that affects many cats, making them playful and energetic.

Ability

Insect Repellent Shield

Catnip produces a compound that naturally repels certain insects like aphids, protecting its leaves from being eaten.

Ability

Scented Signal

Catnip releases a strong minty scent from its leaves, which helps attract vital pollinators like bees.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
30-60 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Summer-fall
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Honey bee

Apis mellifera

gathers nectar and pollen for its colony

pollinates

Common eastern bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

efficiently collects pollen from the tiny flowers

pollinates

Painted Lady butterfly

Vanessa cardui

sips sweet nectar from the blossom spikes

Traits

Also known as

Catmint

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Catnip is safe for cats, but it's best to keep it away from pets that don't react to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Catnip?

30-100 cm

How wide does Catnip spread?

30-60 cm

How big are the flowers on Catnip?

0.5-1 cm

When does Catnip bloom?

Summer-fall

Is Catnip edible?

Yes

Is Catnip toxic?

None

What is Catnip's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Catnip pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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