Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China.
Although there is no documented evidence, it is highly likely that ancient Egyptians, given their love of cats, were some of the first to give catnip to felines. Catnip has long been a highly regarded ingredient in herbal medicines and was used all the way back in medieval times. Catnip was also used in cooking.
Researchers suspect that the herb targets feline "happy" receptors in the brain. When eaten, however, it tends to have the opposite effect and your cat mellows out. Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning out.
Catnip prefers full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. Too little light can cause leggy growth with sparse foliage. However, catnip does struggle in extreme heat. So if you live in a hot climate, give your catnip a little shade from the strong afternoon sun.
Growing catnip doesn't require much special care when it comes to soil prep. This perennial thrives in poor soil as long as it is well-draining. Consider growing in sandy soil that ranges from 4.9 to 7.5 on the pH scale.
