A member of the mint family, catnip is very prolific. In fact, it grows so well that pains must be taken to make sure it doesn’t spread throughout your yard and take over. You can easily grow a catnip plant in a container, snipping off leaves and branches as needed to give your cat a good time.
Catnip can be planted in the yard, but like all mints, it spreads easily, so beware if you want to have anything but catnip in the yard. Your cat would probably appreciate the gesture if you planted a lawn of catnip, but the smell, while pleasant in small doses, might be a little overwhelming that way.
Catnip is very hardy, and can live in just about any soil type, with little water. It also produces small, delicate flowers that are a pretty accent to its rich green leaves. You can use catnip as an ornamental contrast with other flowers and plants, just be sure to contain it.
Growing your own catnip for your cat pals is easy, and best of all, you don’t have to keep paying for it. Pick it fresh or hang it to dry, and you can have catnip year round.