How to grow catnip from seed?

Question

I tried to grow some catnip but so far nothing is sprouting up after 12 days. I dug into one of the plastic pods and found none of the seeds in the soil have sprouted. I have given them plenty of water and I have used regular potting soil mix.

I want to try again. Am I using the wrong soil? Any advice is appreciated----my 2 cool cats will appreciate it too. The catnip is for them.

Answer 1

generally when seed doesn't sprout it's one of these causes.

incorrect temperature - usually warm to hot, but not always

planted too deeply

grows best if sprouted first [wet P towels], then let grow in seedling cups before transplanting.

Call your local County Extension [phone book under Gov. listings or Google your county + extension]
or
Call someone local who grows/sells herbs
or
Call the folks at this link:
http://swallowtailgardenseeds.com/herbs/catnip.html

how's that for an answer?

Answer 2

This spring was the first time I started catnip from seed. I used starting soil and planted in a six-cell container and kept the soil moist but well drained. I was convinced it wasn't going to grow as everything else I planted was going well and not a trace of a plant in the catnip cells. I had seeds sprout as much as six weeks after planting (or more for some) so my thought is catnip just takes longer, much longer, than most other things.

It may have gotten off to a slow start, but the first plant to sprout (though I transplanted it way too late) is between 2 and 3 feet tall now and very bushy (safely under a bird cage outside). The others are still in smallish pots so cannot grow freely but would surely do as well in the ground. My advice is to be patient, and in case you got bad seed, try again.

Answer 3

Try this. This has worked for me several times. Dampen a paper towel and lay it flat in a ziplock bag. Cut a few small slits in the top of the bag for a little ventilation. Lay seeds on top of the paper towel in the ziplock and close it. Lay it somewhere that it gets some sun. Keep the paper towel moist(not wet) until you start seeing sprouts coming out of the seed. Transplant the sprouts just barely underneath the soil in a small pot. This really speeds up the process. Good Luck. You could see the sprouts within 4 to 5 days.

Answer 4

Catnip is a noxious weed in the North east US. It grows everywhere. I would start them indoors, under lights, in jiffy pots and than when they are about 3 weeks old and the threat of frost is passed plant them with at least 2' of space between them as catnip plants will get huge. If they have the space to do so. They are not heavy feeders and quite drought tolerant. They are also a biennial meaning they should not flower the first season. They are easy to grow and spread very easily so if all 1500 seeds germinate and you plant them out by 2015 you should have around 500K catnip plants on your property

Answer 5

You may have kept it too wet.

And it may need to be "stratified" first. Put the seed, laying on the soil surface or barely covered, in the fridge for a month or two. Then let it warm up. Keep it moist, but barely. It need light to sprout best, I think.

To get mine started I just raked it into the soil and left it go. I now have many baby plants, flowering now. They come up easily on their own.

You may need to just wait for spring..... I don't know. Depends on how much you can control the conditions. It is possible to start the seeds if you keep the temp correct. Chill for a while, then keep them at about 68-72 for a couple weeks. Its not a plant with a high germination rate. Keep trying.

Answer 6

I've never grown catnip from seed, but I do plant it starting with starter plants bought in a garden center. Here in PA I plant in the spring when all danger of frost is gone. Plant plenty. You'll have four legged neighbors that will love it to.

Answer 7

I grow nip for the cats that share the house, and at this time of year is when it's going to seed, but in the spring the stuff goes crazy, grows out of control.
You be able to grow it when the season is right.

Answer 8

Sow the seeds in light, well drained soil with partial to moderate sunlight.