Catnip Varieties

A member of the mint family, catnip is best known for its euphoric effect on cats. However, humans can get as much or more from catnip as cats. This herb forms an excellent base for herbal teas, a tasty addition to salads and flavoring for foods. The chemicals in catnip allow it to work as a mild sedative, lower fevers, sooth stomach troubles and help clear sinuses. It also is a natural insect repellent. Catnip is a wonderful plant to grow at home, and being an invasive mint variety means there is always plenty to go around.

However, when deciding to grow catnip it becomes necessary to pick which one. The best known variety is the one which cats are so fond of, but there are over 250 different varieties of catnip in the world. In the following sections are listed only a few varieties to consider.

Common Catnip

Common catnip is the variety of this herb beloved of cats. The heart shaped leaves are gray-green and like spearmint have a scalloped edge. They are covered in a layer of fine, downy hairs, as is the stem. The plant will grow as tall as 3 feet, the top being a tall spike covered in small white flowers.

Camphor Catnip

Camphor catnip is unique in that it smells of camphor rather than mint. This difference in scent makes it unpopular with cats, but that can be helpful. Local cats are known to raid patches of common catnip if they can get away with it. The plant looks almost identical to common catnip, except that the flowers have purple dots in the throat and it only reaches a height of 18 inches.

Greek Catnip

Greek catnip is very pale in color, almost white rather than green. It grows to about the same size as camphor canip, and the flowers are a pale pink shade. This variety makes an interesting contrast when mixed with other kinds of catnip or other varieties of mint.

Lemon Catnip

Looking much the same in size and color to common catnip, lemon catnip is most easily distinguished by its bright, lemony scent. This makes it less popular with cats, but makes it a wonderful option for making teas or garnishing ice creams.

Catmint

The word catmint is sometimes used to describe common catnip. However, it specifically describes a different variety of catnip with purple flowers. Catmint only grows to 15 inches in height. Its leaves and stems are much the same as common catnip, but its small size makes catmint a nice filler or border for gardens.

Choosing the right variety of catnip depends on a few factors. For teasing cats the only real option is common catnip. But for keeping humans happy and healthy there are varieties for every scent and taste preference.