My front walkway is lined with flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummers, but it also holds a few special treats for the neighborhood cats. On one side there’s a big clump of Catmint (the plant with purple flowers on the banner above). On the other side is Catnip.
Catnip is a perennial herb that’s best known for the high it gives cats. There are several varieties with blooms that range from white to pink, to purple. Nepetalactone, the active ingredient found in the stems and leaves, causes a hallucinogenic effect in felines, but not in humans.
Only about half of the cats are affected by Catnip, and among those that react, their responses vary widely. Some jump, roll around, become hyperactive, or even become aggressive. My indoor kitties do all of those things. I noticed that my stray, Rusty, gives a little hop, skip, and leap every time he walks through the Catnip. The effect only last a few minutes.
Catnip is also said to repel insects, rats, and mice. This perennial is easy to grow. Just plant in full sun and give it adequate moisture. If you want to harvest some for your indoor kitties, just cut it on a dry summer day and hang it upside down in a well-ventilated area, away from the sun and moisture to dry.
When I fill up Rusty’s water bowl every morning, I bruise a few leaves on the Catnip plant to release the smell. He may visit my front porch for food, but he never fails to tiptoe through the Catnip after eating.
I love your posts and your pics. I also have a mass planting of catmint. Not sure if you are a Simons Cat fan but this reminds me of his recent cartoon.
http://www.simonscat.com/Blog/2011-07-25/Simons-cat-loves-the-cat-mint/
Posted by: Lori | July 31, 2011 at 12:52 PM