How to Dry Out Catnip – A Step-by-Step Guide to Preserving Catnip for Feline Fun

Catnip brings sheer joy and silliness out of cats when they get a whiff of its minty, intoxicating scent. To keep your cats entertained for months on end, learn how to dry out fresh catnip to preserve its magic. With just a few simple steps, you can stock up on dried catnip for toys, training treats, and more.

When to Harvest Catnip for Drying

• Harvest catnip just before it blooms for peak potency of the nepetalactone oil that causes the euphoric reaction in cats.

• Cut stems when leaves are at their largest size and most abundant

• Catnip filled with flowers and gone to seed will be less potent.

• For tea cut leaves when still bright green before fall frost hits. Grayish foliage won’t be as flavorful.

• Snip off leaves and small stalks mid-morning after dew has dried but before the heat of midday

How to Dry Catnip Leaves

Air drying is the easiest approach for small batches of catnip:

• Pick leaves off stems, selecting only the freshest, perkiest ones free of blemishes.

• Discard any flowers, buds, dead leaves or spent stems.

• Spread leaves in a single layer on a tray lined with paper towels or a breathable mesh screen.

• Place tray in a warm (80-90° F), dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sun.

• Turn leaves daily to ensure even drying, about 3-5 days.

• Leaves are fully dry when crumbly and brittle.

How to Dry Catnip Stems

For larger harvests or to retain longer stems for toys:

• Gather cut stems into small bundles held together with rubber bands, twist ties, or string.

• Use scissors to trim all stems evenly. Remove dried ends and leaves.

• Hang bundles upside down in a warm, dry, dark place with good airflow.

• Suspend out of reach of pets. Draping plastic bags over each bunch can deter curious cats.

• Allow 1-2 weeks for full drying, checking frequently.

• When fully dry, stems will snap easily when bent and leaves will crumble off readily.

Tips for Drying Catnip Successfully

Follow these best practices for prime dried catnip:

• Dry indoors away from dust, dirt, and insects. Use cheesecloth to cover drying racks if needed.

• Aim for constant temperatures around 85-90°F with low humidity.

• Keep herbs in darkness as light degrades active compounds.

• Allow space between leaves or bundles for airflow.

• Check catnip daily and remove any moldy bits promptly.

• To test dryness, rub a leaf between your fingers – it should powder easily when fully dried.

• If drying whole stems, strip leaves off once fully dry to separate grades.

With ideal warm, dark, and breezy conditions, your catnip will quickly and safely transform into a dried treasure.

How to Store Dried Catnip

To retain the aromatic oils that excite cats, proper storage is a must:

• Place thoroughly dried leaves or crumbled stems into airtight glass jars or metal tins. Dark containers prevent light damage.

• Label jars with the variety and date. Use oldest stock first.

• Store in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat, light, and moisture. Refrigeration can help prolong freshness.

• Use within 1 year for optimal potency. Scent fades over time.

• If catnip loses its scent, replace it. Don’t use flavorless catnip.

• Freeze excess dried catnip in vacuum sealed bags to extend shelf life.

With ideal drying, sealing out air, cold storage, and limited light exposure, the feline-alluring fragrance of catnip can last over a year.

Uses for Dried Catnip

Dried catnip can bring your cats delight in many forms:

• Toys – Stuff fabric mice, balls, tunnels, and more with dried leaves or stems. The scent entices play.

• Treats – Dried leaves make a healthy training reward. Crumble over wet cat food.

• Catnip bags – Sachets of dried leaves release aroma when batted and pounced on.

• Catnip spray – Infuse catnip into water sprayed on toys. Use 1 ounce herb to 2 cups water.

• Tea – Add leaves or stems to herbal blends at 1 tablespoon per cup of tea.

With your preserved bounty of catnip, let your imagination run wild to thrill your cats for months on end. Just be prepared for ensuing chaos and delight!

Make Catnip Hay for Long Term Storage

For catnip that keeps its potency for years, consider making catnip hay:

• Cut stems when catnip flowers just begin opening. More plant oils will be present.

• Hang bundles of stems upside down and allow to slightly wilt for 1-2 days.

• Use a food dehydrator or oven on low heat to fully dry the stems for several hours.

• Store the brittle, dried stems in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

• Crush or break stems into pieces to release oils as needed for use.

The low heat of hay drying preserves the essential nepetalactone oil better than air drying, resulting in long lasting cat euphoria!

Avoid These Mistakes When Drying Catnip

To end up with great dried catnip, sidestep these common errors:

• Don’t wash catnip before drying, as this leeches out the aromatic oils. Gently brush off dirt instead.

• Don’t dry in full sun or excessive heat which can degrade the nepetalactone. Low, ambient warmth is ideal.

• Don’t crowd leaves or bundles tightly together or mold can develop. Allow space for airflow.

• Don’t store catnip in clear glass or plastic bags. Light damages the volatile oils.

• Don’t use drying machines which can overheat leaves. Slow, gentle air drying is best.

With careful attention to temperature, light, humidity and storage, your dried catnip will retain its irresistible scent.

Troubleshooting Problems When Drying Catnip

If you encounter issues with your drying catnip, here are some remedies:

Leaves blacken or mold – Conditions are too humid. Improve ventilation. Wipe off any mold with a dry cloth. Discard affected leaves.

Catnip lacks scent – Dried incorrectly or stored improperly. Use fresher stock and dry gently at under 100°F out of light.

Catnip crumbles to dust – Overdried at high temperatures. Dry leaves and flowers separately next time and remove leaves from stems sooner. Store in airtight containers.

Catnip loses potency quickly – Store in a dark, cool location in an airtight container. Use old catnip first and replenish with fresh stocks.

With a little troubleshooting, you can master the art of drying out pungent, long-lasting catnip to enjoy for many months to come.

The Takeaway on Drying Catnip

Drying out fresh catnip to preserve its irresistible scent for your cats is simple. Pick leaves and stems at their peak of potency before flowers emerge. Dry gently in a warm, dark, low-humidity environment until leaves and stems are brittle. Store fully dried catnip in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. With proper harvesting techniques and ideal storage conditions, your homemade dried catnip will retain its euphoric oils to delight cats for up to a year or more. Get ready to enjoy the entertaining antics and sheer joy your lucky felines experience when playing with catnip you thoughtfully dried yourself!