Catnip is in the mint family of plants.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is also known as catswort and catmint. It has been used as a companion plant in sustainable gardening systems to ward off harmful bugs and insects. Chemical compounds in essential oil of catnip contain nepetalactone, which has been found to be 10 times more effective at repelling mosquitoes than most commercial insect repellents, according to Barb Ogg's report on the University of Nebraska website. Traditional gardening wisdom lore also provides information about using catnip as a bug spray repellent. Does this Spark an idea?
Botanical Description
Catnip is a perennial herb related to spearmint and peppermint. It grows to 3 feet in height, producing hairy, grayish leaves and stems. Catnip blooms in summer with clusters of 3/8-inch flowers at the tips of stems. Its blossoms are two-lipped with white and purple spotted petals. Catnip plants reproduce by underground runners. It and can be invasive in the garden.
Companion Planting
Flea beetles, aphids, Japanese beetles, squash bugs, ants and weevils are repelled by catnip plants used nearby as companion plants. Companion planting is the ancient gardening science of using plants to control harmful garden insects and attract beneficial insects. Many destructive insects locate their food by smell. Insects looking for host plants to feed on are confused by the strong scent of catnip.
Bug Repellent
Fresh catnip steeped in water and sprinkled on plants drives away flea beetles. This brown or black bodied insect is 1/10 inch long, hops like a flea and chews the foliage and stems of plants. Flea beetles lay one or two generations of eggs each year. The chopped and bruised leaves of catnip may also be sprinkled around vulnerable plants to repel flea beetles. The chemical compound nepetalactone is released when catnip leaves are bruised.
Other Uses
Catnip has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. Before black tea was imported from China, catnip was popular for home use in the British Isles. Its use is described in traditional medicine wisdom for ailments such as chronic bronchitis, stomach aches and fevers. Mature catnip leaves are dried in the shade to preserve the essential oil compounds before steeping as a tea.
Tags: catnip leaves