{"product_id":"semences-herbe-chat-biologiques","title":"Catnip","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNepeta cataria.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe herb with a thousand roles: for domestic cats first, who lose every shred of dignity the moment they smell it; but also for humans, who have made a calming tea from it since antiquity; and for gardeners, who appreciate its spectacular insect-repellent power. The scientific name \u003cem\u003eNepeta cataria\u003c\/em\u003e already says a lot: \u003cem\u003eNepeta\u003c\/em\u003e, according to Pliny the Elder, comes from the name of the Etruscan city Nepete (today's Nepi, in central Italy), where the plant was particularly abundant in antiquity; \u003cem\u003ecataria\u003c\/em\u003e derives from the Latin \u003cem\u003ecattus\u003c\/em\u003e (\"cat\"), for obvious reasons. A member of the Lamiaceae family (alongside mint, lemon balm and sage), catnip has been cultivated in Europe and Asia since antiquity. Dioscorides mentions it as a digestive and calming remedy, and European settlers brought it to North America in the 17th and 18th centuries, where it quickly escaped gardens to naturalize everywhere — including Québec, where it is still regularly encountered along country roads, on abandoned farms and in pastures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust perennial plant 60-90 cm tall, with the square stems characteristic of the Lamiaceae, and oval, toothed, slightly downy leaves in a soft silvery grey-green. In summer, spikes of small white flowers spotted purple draw bees and bumblebees in considerable numbers. The famous feline property comes from a particular volatile molecule, \u003cem\u003enepetalactone\u003c\/em\u003e, which curiously mimics feline pheromones — about 65 to 70% of adult cats react to it; for the others, it's genetic. Kittens under six months never react. The typical effect lasts 5-15 minutes: ecstatic rolling, compulsive rubbing, salivation, then a phase of gentle bliss — entirely harmless and non-addictive. A surprising fact: big cats react as well (lions, tigers, panthers). On the human side, a light infusion (1 teaspoon dried per cup, 5 minutes of steeping) has traditionally been used as a calming bedtime tea or for difficult digestions — at moderate doses, the effect is gentle, relaxing, with no particular psychoactivity. On the gardener's side, nepetalactone is also a potent natural mosquito repellent — a 2001 Iowa State University study measured it as up to ten times more effective than DEET (the synthetic compound in classic anti-mosquito products) at equal parts. A few crushed stems in a pocket, or rubbed on the skin, effectively chase off black flies and mosquitoes in hot weather — useful when you're working outdoors in summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrower's tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Don't confuse this with ornamental \"\u003cem\u003ecatmint\u003c\/em\u003e\" (\u003cem\u003eNepeta × faassenii\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eNepeta mussinii\u003c\/em\u003e), a cousin grown chiefly for its decorative blue flowers, which has no effect on cats. \u003cem\u003eNepeta cataria\u003c\/em\u003e is the real catnip. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sow in late May in Québec. Germination is capricious; the seeds benefit from cold stratification (two weeks in the freezer in a sealed bag) before sowing. Once established, the plant self-seeds generously (sometimes too generously) and stays perennial for decades. To harvest, cut the flowering stems at full bloom, tie them in bundles, hang them upside down in a shaded, dry, airy spot for 2-3 weeks, then strip the leaves into an airtight jar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: if you're growing this plant for a cat, it's best grown out of reach until harvest — otherwise the feline will trample, chew and flatten it to the ground long before you can harvest a single leaf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen-pollinated. Hardy perennial, zone 3. Insect-pollinated; crosses with other \u003cem\u003eNepeta\u003c\/em\u003e (rare in vegetable gardens) — low crossing risk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeight: 60-90 cm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlowering: June to September.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExposure: full sun; part shade tolerated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWell-drained, rather dry, moderately rich soil. Very low requirements; tolerates poor and stony soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStart indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting (cold-stratify 2 weeks beforehand), or direct-sow in late May. Abundant self-seeding once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Joual Vert","offers":[{"title":"400","offer_id":41424159768748,"sku":"JV-A-HERCHA-400","price":0.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"2000","offer_id":41424159801516,"sku":"JV-A-HERCHA-2K","price":3.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10000","offer_id":39264731070636,"sku":"JV-A-HERCHA-10K","price":12.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"50000","offer_id":43194278609068,"sku":"JV-A-HERCHA-50K","price":36.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0532\/1388\/8684\/products\/catnip.jpg?v=1698701268","url":"https:\/\/joualvert.ca\/en\/products\/catnip-seeds","provider":"Joual Vert","version":"1.0","type":"link"}