What Do Catnip Seeds Look Like? A Guide to Identifying and Growing Them

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a popular herb grown for its intoxicating effects on cats. But what do catnip seeds look like? Getting familiar with catnip seeds can allow you to grow this feline-favorite herb yourself.

An Overview of Catnip Seed Characteristics

Catnip seeds are very small, thin, and oval-shaped. They have a smooth, papery texture and are typically dark brown or black in color. When fresh, the seeds have a small white point on one end. Some key features include:

• Color: Dark brown to black
• Size: Around 1.5-2mm long
• Shape: Oblong and somewhat flattened
• Surface: Smooth and papery
• Weight: Extremely lightweight at about 0.13mg per seed

The seeds form inside dry, elongated seed pods that dangle from the flowering stems. The pods start off green but turn brown and split open when ripe in autumn. Around 20-30 seeds are neatly arranged inside each pod.

Where Catnip Seeds Come From

For seeds to develop, catnip plants must flower and receive pollen from bees, butterflies, or other insects. The small tubular flowers bloom in summer and range from pale purple to white depending on the variety.

After successful pollination seeds take 4-6 weeks to fully mature. The seed pods dry out and crack open when the seeds are ready to be dispersed by wind or collected for planting. Plants grown from seed exhibit more genetic diversity compared to cloned plants.

Appearance of Immature Catnip Seeds

Inside young, unripe catnip pods, the seeds appear light green, small, and underdeveloped As the seeds mature, they gradually plump up and turn reddish-brown before becoming dark brown or black when fully ripe

Sometimes small dark dots are visible inside the pods before the seeds enlarge These dots are ovules that failed to be fertilized and will not form into seeds Only the successfully pollinated ovules will grow into viable seeds.

Identifying Ripe Catnip Seeds

Mature catnip seeds that are ready for harvest can be identified by these signs:

• Seed pods turn from green to yellowish or brown
• Pods split open and release seeds readily when touched
• Seeds are dark brown or black
• Seeds detach easily from pods
• Plants are flowering less and going dormant

For best viability, gather seeds once the pods are fully dry and split open on their own. Seeds collected too early may not germinate well.

Storing Catnip Seeds

Fresh catnip seeds have the highest germination rates. However, the seeds will remain viable for 1-3 years if stored properly in cool, dry conditions. To store them:

• Allow seeds to dry fully after harvest
• Place seeds in envelopes or jars in a cool location
• Maintain low humidity to prevent mold growth
• Refrigerate seeds for extended viability

Avoid exposing seeds to heat, direct sunlight, or moisture. With ideal storage conditions, catnip seeds can maintain dormancy until ready to be sown.

Appearance of Non-Viable Catnip Seeds

Not all harvested catnip seeds will be viable. Non-viable seeds tend to be lighter in color, smaller, and misshapen compared to plump, dark seeds. They lack the tiny white tip that identifies the end that attaches to the pod.

Old, moldy, damaged, undersized, or very lightweight seeds should be discarded and not used for planting. A high percentage of non-viable seeds could indicate issues with pollination, seed development, or storage conditions.

How to Grow Catnip from Seed

Catnip seeds can be directly sown outdoors in spring or started indoors earlier. To grow them:

• Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in pots or trays indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.

• Keep soil moist and provide bright light until germination, which takes 1-2 weeks.

• Harden off young plants then transplant into the garden after danger of frost.

• Space plants 12-15 inches apart in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

• Water when soil is partly dry. Fertilize monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

• Harvest leaves as needed once plants are established. Catnip is perennial in zones 3-9.

Final Thoughts

Familiarizing yourself with what catnip seeds look like makes it easier to identify when they are mature and ready to harvest from spent flower heads. With proper storage and sowing, catnip seeds can yield many crops of the aromatic herb favored by cats across the globe. A little time and effort growing catnip from seed can pay off with years of happy, contented kitties!