Catnip seeds, as the name suggests, are the seeds that come from the catnip plant. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a herbaceous plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, that is native to Europe and Asia but has been naturalized in North America. It is a perennial plant that grows up to three feet tall and has fragrant, heart-shaped leaves and small, white or purple flowers that bloom from late spring to early fall.

Catnip seeds are produced by the flowers of the catnip plant. The flowers of the catnip plant are hermaphroditic, meaning they contain both male and female reproductive organs. When the flowers are pollinated, they produce seeds that can be harvested and used to grow new catnip plants.

To collect catnip seeds, the flowers of the catnip plant are allowed to dry out on the plant until they turn brown and begin to wither. Once the flowers are dry, they can be harvested by cutting off the entire flower head and placing it in a paper bag. The bag is then shaken gently to release the seeds from the dried flower head.

Catnip seeds can also be harvested by hand. To do this, the dry flower heads are rubbed gently between the hands over a bowl or tray to release the seeds. The seeds are then separated from any chaff or debris and stored in a cool, dry place until they are ready to be planted.

Catnip seeds are relatively easy to grow and can be started indoors or outdoors. To start catnip seeds indoors, they should be sown in a seed tray or small pots filled with potting soil. The seeds should be covered lightly with soil and kept moist but not wet until they germinate. Once the seedlings have grown to a few inches tall, they can be transplanted outdoors into a sunny location with well-draining soil.

In summary, catnip seeds are produced by the flowers of the catnip plant and can be harvested by allowing the flowers to dry out and collecting them in a paper bag or by rubbing the dry flower heads between the hands. The seeds can be planted indoors or outdoors and are relatively easy to grow. Catnip seeds are a popular choice for cat lovers who want to grow their own catnip plants for their feline friends to enjoy.

Read more:Gardening with Catnip Seeds