Is Catnip Pollinator-Friendly? What the Gardener Says

Pet owners looking to create animal-friendly herb and pollinator gardens have a wide variety of plants to consider for their plots. There are numerous options to choose from. For cat owners, growing catnip is a popular choice. It’s relatively easy to cultivate, as it is a perennial in most regions, and it can also be consumed by humans. Plus, having this minty herb around the house is a nice bonus.

But what about pollinators? Is catnip a strong attractant for beneficial insects? Will it enhance your garden by attracting effective pollinators, potentially leading to better fruit set or more viable seeds? Let’s explore these questions further.

When it comes to what pollinators think of catnip, it's challenging to get concrete insights since few bees or wasps will stay still long enough for a proper interview. However, based on their behavior, I can share my observations. Anecdotally, it seems that pollinators view catnip as a strong attractant.

In my garden, which features a variety of herbs including dill, rue, parsley, oregano, rosemary, sage, anise hyssop, three types of basil, lemon balm, several varieties of mint (Mentha spp.), and different types of thyme, I have noticed that catnip ranks in the top 25% for overall insect activity. This indicates that catnip plants attract more bees, wasps, and hoverflies than the other 75% of my plants.

Specifically, catnip tends to attract smaller bees, which are usually native species, as well as wasps. There is also significant hoverfly activity, which is beneficial for the garden. Hoverflies feed on nectar from the small flowers and play a crucial role in controlling aphid populations on nearby plants. If you're dealing with aphids, attracting hoverflies is vital, as they will help keep your other plants healthy.

Interestingly, catnip also serves as a pest repellent. The active compound that attracts cats, nepetalactone, targets a specific receptor in mosquitoes (TRPA-1) and causes irritation, leading mosquitoes to avoid catnip. Additionally, catnip contains another compound called caryophyllene, which also has insect-repelling properties. Caryophyllene is a terpene found in various aromatic plants, including black pepper, cinnamon, and cannabis.

Therefore, catnip is an excellent addition to your pollinator or pet garden. It offers numerous benefits for you, your cat, the surrounding insects, and the environment.