Do I Have Catmint Or Catnip Are Catnip And Catmint The Same Plant

Are Catnip and Catmint the Same? It can be easy to mistake these two plants as simply different names for the same thing, but they are, in fact, different plants. Both are part of the mint family and both belong to the Nepeta genus – catnip is Nepeta cataria and catmint is Nepeta mussinii.

Can cats have catmint?

For those of you with cats, it's no secret that they love catnip. ... Cat lovers may not realize there's another catnip cousin belonging to the same genus. Nepeta faassenii, commonly called catmint, often proves as much of an aphrodisiac to cats as its better-known species mate.

Why is it called catmint?

Some members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of their effect on house cats – the nepetalactone contained in some Nepeta species binds to the olfactory receptors of cats, typically resulting in temporary euphoria.

How do you identify catnip plants?

Look for jagged, heart-shaped leaves and thick stems that are both covered in fuzzy hairs. The best time to search for wild catnip is between July and October when the flowers are in bloom. Catnip flowers bloom in large clusters at the tops of the plants and look like little tubular mouths.

Is all catnip the same?

The most common of the catnip plant varieties is Nepeta cataria, also known as true catnip. There are many other species of Nepeta, many of which have several colors of flowers and even specialized scents. These different catnip plants are native to Europe and Asia but have naturalized easily in parts of North America.

Can catmint make cats sick?

Be mindful of overindulgence though—cats are unlikely to overdose on catnip, but they can get sick if they eat too much.

Can I eat catmint?

This plant is edible for humans and it even has some medicinal benefits. The leaves and flowers can be steeped to make tea. Catmint herbal tea has a mild minty taste and a sweet fragrance. ... Alternatively, you can also eat the leaves.

What's the difference between catmint and catnip?

Both are part of the mint family and both belong to the Nepeta genus – catnip is Nepeta cataria and catmint is Nepeta mussinii. ... Catnip has a weedier appearance, while catmint is often used as a pretty, flowering perennial in beds. Catmint flowers more continuously than catnip. Catnip flowers are typically white.

Is catmint poisonous to dogs?

There is no harm in allowing dogs in catnip plants as long as you don't expect them to go into raptures. While your dogs will not react to catnip like your cats do, the herb offers canines benefits too.

Is catnip edible for humans?

Catnip is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in small amounts. Cupful amounts of catnip tea have been consumed without serious side effects. However, catnip is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked or taken by mouth in high doses (many cups of catnip tea, for example).

Is catnip a drug?

Catnip is a bizarre phenomenon for a few reasons. It's the only recreational drug we routinely give to animals, and though it basically makes them freak out — rolling on the ground, drooling, and mashing their face into wherever the catnip was sprinkled — it has essentially no effect on us.

Should I let my catnip flower?

Catnip herb grows best in well draining soil in the full sun, but it will tolerate part sun and a wide variety of soil types. Catnip plants spread readily by seed, so in order to control its spread, you'll need to remove the flowers before they go to seed. ...

Can you eat fresh catnip leaves?

Young leaves can be eaten raw. Their mint-like flavour adds an aromatic flavouring in salads. Older leaves can be used as flavouring in cooked foods. Catnip leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried to make a calming herbal tea.

Can too much catnip kill a cat?

Cats love catnip. And it's perfectly safe - there's nothing in it that can harm your cat. If by some chance your cat was to eat a large amount of catnip, it could cause a mild tummy upset, but that's not likely to happen. What is Catnip?

How long does catnip high last?

Luckily, the effects of catnip only last about 10 minutes. If used too much, a cat can become insensitive to it. Often, a simple sniff of catnip can do the trick, but eating it can also work.

Can I give my cat catnip everyday?

It's fine for cats to enjoy a daily dose of catnip but you should not give your cats catnip to consume more than once a day. Similarly, if you're treating toys, scratching posts, bedding or other equipment with catnip oil or spray, you should not do so more than once a day.

Does catnip calm cats down?

A cat's behavior can change dramatically when they are introduced to catnip. ... Catnip also seems to make most cats more playful and more interested in toys. After a certain amount of time, cats under the influence of catnip seem to calm down and get sluggish and sleepy. Catnip has been found to be relatively harmless.

Is fresh or dried catnip better?

Fresh catnip is more potent than the dried variety. Keep in mind that a cat's primary response to catnip it to it's scent, not the flavor. ... Cats will roll around in and chew on catnip plants when found outside (or indoors).

Is catnip bad for old cats?

How Will It Affect My Cat? Some cats react differently than others when it comes to catnip. Some will go crazier than others; some will feel the effects for longer than others; some will become very calm under the influence of catnip; and some won't be affected at all, especially kittens and older cats.

Does catmint spread fast?

Catmint has few pests and the seeds are sterile so it doesn't spread by self-sowing. Catmint is a classic cottage garden plant that often accompanies peonies, roses, coreopsis, and delphiniums. Because of its spreading nature, it's a great filler plant to provide color and green foliage between later blooming flowers.

Is catmint an invasive plant?

The true catmint species described above is a big invasive plant. It reaches three feet tall, producing sparse white flowers. ... To absolutely prevent self sowing simply deadhead the blossoms once they are spent before seed can form. The most outstanding form is Six Hills Giant, which stands 3 feet tall.

Will deer eat catmint?

The fuzzy, fragrant foliage of catmint is detested by deer. 'Cat's Meow' is a lower maintenance selection that is prized for its naturally neat, dense habit that won't need trimming to keep it in bounds like older varieties. It is very easy to grow in zones 3-8 in full sun and well-drained soil.