How to Dry Catnip from the Catnip Plant

ChristinaJ | Jan 4, 2010 |

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The Catnip plant is an herb very closely related to mint that produces a hallucinogen effect in over 85 percent of cats. Anyone who has ever watched a cat play with a catnip toy knows that the lure of the catnip plant is unmistakable. The active ingredient in catnip that appeals to cats is called nepetalactone. This substance is located not only in the leaves and blossoms of the catnip plant but also in the stalk. Although catnip is commercially available in pet supply stores, it is also very easy to learn how to dry catnip at home.

Locate a catnip plant to take cuttings from. Catnip can be found growing in the wild as well as purchased at some gardening centers When selecting a catnip plant, look for plants that are free of disease. Small black spots on catnip indicate the presence of mold or bacteria, so avoid these plants. If you are unfamiliar with catnip plants, it's best to purchase them from a garden center or pet supply store. When purchasing plants ask the growers if the plant was sprayed with pesticides since these are harmful to your pet. You can also easily grow catnip seeds, which is the most cost effective method of producing it. If you decide to grow catnip, consider purchasing the catnip seeds online as you can get much greater quantities as lower prices. Unused catnip seeds can be stored in a dry location until planted.

Once you locate a catnip plant, use scissors or pruning shears to cut off several stalks at the base of the plant.

Use a piece of string, or a rubber band to secure the catnip plant talks together in a bundle.

Select a dark, dry location to store the catnip in while it dries. Some areas of the home that are conducive to drying catnip are kitchens and basements. Do not hang catnip plants in direct sunlight as the natural oils in the plant are UV sensitive. When exposed to sunlight, the effectiveness of the oils decreases dramatically. For those who live in areas of high humidity, placing catnip stalks into a paper bag helps to speed the drying process. One thing to keep in mind is that cats will try to get the catnip, so select a location that is not accessible to them.

Once a location is selected, hang the catnip plant upside down to dry. A simple way to accomplish this is by clipping the end of the catnip stalks to a clothes hanger using a clothes pin. A string tied around the base of the catnip plant and then hung from a nail works as well.

Allow the catnip plant to dry for approximately two weeks. After this initial two week period, check the catnip on a weekly basis to determine when it is dry. Drying times vary based on the temperature and humidity of the home.

Once the catnip plant is dry, lay a paper towel or newspaper out on a flat surface. Hold the catnip stalks over the paper and use your fingers to rub off the dried blossoms and leaves from each stalk. After removing the blossoms and leaves simply use a knife to cut up the stalk into sections as well.

Store any unused catnip in an airtight container placed in the freezer to maintain the freshness of the essential oils. Properly stored catnip remains fresh for up to one year.