- To maintain health
- To extend the flowering period
- To slow down the urge to spread
- For use as a medicinal and aromatic plant
- To multiply
- tips and tricks
Catnip can become rampant if left unchecked. This is the main reason for many to prune this perennial regularly. But there are many other reasons why a cut can make sense.
To maintain health
A pruning, for example in the case of disease, lets the catnip know: 'You have to assert yourself!'. If it is affected by powdery mildew, it helps to remove the inflorescences in summer. This allows the catnip to focus its attention and energy on fighting the fungus.
To extend the flowering period
If you want to enjoy your catnip flowering well into the fall, consider pruning the perennial after the main bloom.
Either cut the plant to just above the ground or the bud sites to the first leaf. Then new flowers appear, and flowering continues until autumn. A good side effect: self-sowing of the catnip is prevented.
To slow down the urge to spread
Another reason to trim catnip is to slow down its urge to spread. To do this, in spring between February and March, on a frost-free day, cut back to the ground. It is best to use sharp pruning shears for this procedure.
Don't be too hasty and make the mistake of cutting the catnip in the fall. You can only cut back the withered inflorescences in autumn. The remaining stalks serve as protection against moisture, for example from snow in winter.
For use as a medicinal and aromatic plant
It should not be forgotten that some people who use catnip as a medicinal and aromatic plant . For example, individual flowers can be cut off in summer and used to enhance the color of dishes such as sweet desserts and fruit salads. The stems with the leaves can also be cut off, dried and reused, among other things:
- for smoking
- to smoke
- for tea
To multiply
On top of that, you cut the catnip to multiply it. Propagation via cuttings is considered the most proven and common method. The cuttings are ideally taken from the plant between April and June. Then the bottom leaves are removed and the cuttings are placed in a glass with water, in which they can root.
tips and tricks
Even if you're bothered by cats because they like to be around the catnip, cutting the catnip radically will help. Then you have enough time to think of an obstacle for the cats.
KKF