Catnip 'Nepeta cataria' has a long history of medicinal use. Most often it is referred to as a sleep aid. And, if you think about the cat who finds the plant like to play and then lay in it. They get their pleasure from the scent and, while some do ingest it, most just roll and roll and roll in it. Humans must drink it as a tea or use a few leaves in dinner in order to perhaps get any relaxed feelings. Catnip plant is often called Catmint because not only does it attract cats but because it is also minty.

Care

 Full - partial sun. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Thrives in dry soils and is very tolerant of drought. Shear flower spikes after initial flowering to promote continued bloom. Best grown as a perennial in zones 3-9.

Growth Habit

Catnip is easy to grow and gets about three feet by three feet. 

Toxicity

Nontoxic. While no plant is completely deer-proof, the strong scent of catnip and other Nepeta plants (like catmint) tends to deter deer from browsing. The fuzzy texture of catnip also contributes to its unpalatability to deer.