It’s a rare, strong-willed person who can resist the internet’s endless scroll of videos showing cats loopy on catnip—rolling around, yowling, drooling, purring, sniffing, frantically grooming—but what is this mysterious plant, and why does it have such a powerful effect on felines? Is it harmful or beneficial? Are any cats immune to it? And why do so many scientists keep studying it? We have the answers to these questions and more.
WHAT IS CATNIP?
Nepeta cataria, better known as catnip, is a perennial herb that’s part of the mint family. Grown throughout temperate regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand, catnip can easily be cultivated in backyard gardens or in small pots on apartment balconies. This drought-tolerant herb can reach up to three feet tall, blooming from late…
