There is an old saying about this plant:
"If you set it, the cats will eat it,
If you sow it, the cats don't know it."
The theory is that they are attracted to the scent of the catnip when it's in a weakened state such as bruised or having been transplanted. I haven't tried growing it from seed, so I can't speak to that but the neighborhood cat did attempt to destroy the poor plant. My Jack cat smells it on my hands when I touch it, but he hasn't tried to get to it yet. I don't know if that's because the plant is now happy or if Jack it just a good boy. I'm wondering whether I should try putting it into the garden bed when it's finished or if it will again be weakened and, thus, subject to attack.
By the way, catnip tea is a wonderful mild nervine. It's also valuable in the case of fever as it will produce perspiration and encourage sleep.
5 comments:
See I always wondered if catnip might be good for people! What's a nervine, though?:P
It basically means that it works to support the nervous system. Guess you can say that it calms ruffled nerves. =)
Amazing comeback! I'd keep it in the pot, I think.
LeAnn aka pasqueflower
I'm glad it survived! And neat, I hadn't heard of catnip's healing properties for humans.
pasque: I think I may try rooting a few stems and planting those. This way, if something happens (kitty ravage!) I won't lose the whole plant.
aquairann: Me too! I really didn't think it would when I saw how it looked post-kitty.
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