"Nine Appropriate Herbs to Cultivate Alongside Catnip for Pest Deterrence"
In rural Virginia, Serena Manickam, a freelance editor, writer, and sustainable market gardener, grows no-spray produce and herbs at Fairydiddle Farm. One of her favourite plants is catnip, not just for its appeal to felines, but for its beneficial effects on other plants in her garden.
Catnip, a member of the mint family, is known for its insect-repelling trait, which makes it a valuable companion for various vegetables and herbs. It attracts pollinators and predatory insects like parasitic wasps and lacewings, which feed on insect pests.
Pest-Repelling Partners
Cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes, and certain herbs such as scallions and catmint (a close relative of catnip) are excellent companions for catnip. The primary reason for this is pest control. Catnip's aromatic oils repel many common garden pests, improving plant health and reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
Planting catnip near cucumbers helps create a protective barrier against pests. However, care should be taken to avoid shading cucumber plants too much by trimming catnip as needed. Strawberries benefit from catnip's deterrent effects against aphids and beetles. Tomatoes, when combined with catnip or closely related herbs like catmint, can help repel pests such as aphids and spider mites.
Scallions, another good companion, repel aphids and beetles and grow well with catnip without competing for resources. Catmint, though a different species, pairs well with flowering plants like roses, coneflowers, and salvia, suggesting companion planting benefits in aesthetics and pollinator attraction.
Pest Management and Companion Planting
Catnip's fast growth and drought tolerance make it an easy companion that does not typically compete aggressively for nutrients. However, it's important to keep different brassicas separate when growing catnip near brassica family plants like beets, broccoli, cauliflower, and collard greens to prevent the spread of shared pests and diseases.
Rosemary, like lavender and catnip, deters pests and attracts beneficial insects when grown nearby. It's best to avoid planting catnip next to tall plants that may cast significant shade on it. Catnip prefers full sun, but can tolerate a bit of light shade.
Placing a pot of catnip near beet, broccoli, cauliflower, or collard green patches can help reduce pest damage. However, catnip attracts cats, so it might be best to avoid planting it in a vegetable garden if you don't want neighbourhood felines using it as a litterbox.
In summary, the best companions for catnip are pest-sensitive vegetables and herbs like cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes, and scallions, with catmint and certain flowering perennials being good for ornamental and ecological benefits. The main advantages are natural pest deterrence and complementary growth habits.
- Catnip, a member of the mint family, is an excellent companion for various vegetables and herbs due to its pest-repelling properties.
- In Serena Manickam's garden, catnip is planted alongside cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes, and scallions as these plants benefit from catnip's deterrent effects against pests.
- Catmint, a close relative of catnip, pairs well with flowering plants like roses, coneflowers, and salvia, not just for aesthetics, but also for attracting pollinators.
- By growing catnip near brassica family plants like beets, broccoli, cauliflower, and collard greens, one must ensure to keep them separate to prevent the spread of shared pests and diseases.
- Rosemary, like catnip, deters pests and attracts beneficial insects when grown nearby, making it a good companion for numerous plants in the home-and-garden lifestyle.
- While placing a pot of catnip near vegetable patches can help reduce pest damage, it's best to avoid planting catnip in the vegetable garden if you don't want cats using it as a litterbox.
