Cat Friendly Grow Kit | Catnip, Catmint & Cat Grass

Three of the plants cats are most instinctively drawn to, catnip, catmint, and cat grass, together in one kit, with everything needed to grow all three from seed. The Hairy Pawter kit is presented in a reusable tin and includes biodegradable pots, coir discs, and a clear guide. It is a self-contained growing project that suits a windowsill as well as a garden, and makes a gift that is genuinely useful rather than merely decorative.

Key Facts

• Three seed varieties: catnip (Nepeta cataria), catmint (Nepeta mussinii), and cat grass
• Three biodegradable pots, coir soil discs, and three wooden plant markers included
• Instruction booklet included
• 1 litre reusable tin planter included
• Seeds batch-tested for germination quality
• Plastic-free, recyclable packaging

The Three Plants

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is the most potent of the three. It contains nepetalactone, a compound that triggers a well-documented behavioural response in sensitive cats: rolling, rubbing, vocalising, and a period of stimulation followed by calm. The effect lasts roughly ten to fifteen minutes. Sensitivity is hereditary and approximately one in three cats carries the gene that produces the response. Catnip is entirely safe and non-addictive. As a garden plant it is a robust perennial with soft grey-green foliage that returns reliably each year.

Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) is a close relative of catnip that produces a milder version of the same effect, useful for cats who respond intensely to catnip or where gentler stimulation is preferred. It is also one of the most ornamental of the Nepeta family, producing long spikes of soft lavender-blue flowers that attract bees through summer. Tough and drought-tolerant once established, it is the easiest of the two Nepeta varieties to grow.

Cat grass addresses a different instinct entirely. Cats seek out grass for digestive reasons: the natural fibre helps process food efficiently and supports the passage of ingested fur, reducing hairballs. For indoor cats without garden access, a dedicated pot of cat grass is a practical necessity. It is the fastest of the three to establish, typically ready within one to two weeks of sowing.

What This Isn't

Not all cats respond to catnip or catmint. Sensitivity to nepetalactone is genetic, and cats without the relevant gene will show no interest regardless of how much plant is available. There is nothing wrong with a cat that does not respond: for those cats, the cat grass element remains fully useful.

Catnip and catmint are perennial plants that take a full growing season to establish. Cat grass is ready in weeks; expect the Nepeta varieties to spend their first season developing roots and foliage before they are substantial enough to offer regularly. The 1 litre tin suits the early seedling stage; catnip and catmint will need larger containers as they mature.

How to Grow

Start cat grass first as it germinates in three to five days and is ready for your cat within two weeks. Sow catnip and catmint by scattering seeds thinly on the surface of a prepared coir disc and pressing lightly. Do not cover deeply: these fine seeds need light to germinate. Expect germination in seven to fourteen days in a warm, bright position. Label each potimmediately with the wooden markers, as young catnip and catmint seedlings look similar. Thin seedlings to two or three per pot once true leaves appear. Pot on by transplanting the entire biodegradable pot when roots appear at the base. The pot breaks down naturally in the soil. Keep cat grass rotating with new sowings every two weeks to maintain a continuous supply.

Perfect For

• Indoor cats with no access to outdoor plants or grass
• Cat owners wanting natural enrichment without synthetic toys or treats
• Flat dwellers with a sunny windowsill and limited growing space
• A thoughtful gift for cat-loving friends and family
• Harry Potter fans who happen to own cats
• Anyone whose cat enjoys catnip and wants to grow their own fresh supply
• First-time growers wanting a project with quick results and a longer-term plant

What Makes This Different

Most catnip products are dried and pre-packaged with no indication of when the plant was harvested or how much potency remains. Growing from seed gives you fresh plant material at peak effectiveness and the ability to dry your own at the optimal moment. The difference in a cat's response to fresh versus stale dried catnip is often noticeable. Combining all three cat-friendly plants in a single kit is also more practical than sourcing them separately: each serves a different purpose, and having all three growing gives you options depending on your cat's needs on any given day.

Realistic Expectations

Cat grass will be ready within two weeks and will likely produce an immediate enthusiastic response. Catnip and catmint require a full season to establish and will be modest in their first year, which is normal for perennials investing in root development. Second-year growth is typically much stronger. If your cat shows no response to catnip on first introduction, try again in a few weeks: younger cats sometimes develop sensitivity later.

What's Included

• Catnip seeds (Nepeta cataria)
• Catmint seeds (Nepeta mussinii)
• Cat grass seeds
• Three biodegradable planting pots
• Coir soil discs
• Three wooden plant markers
• Instruction booklet
• 1 litre reusable tin planter

Additional Product Details

• Kit name: Hairy Pawter
• Varieties: Catnip (Nepeta cataria), catmint (Nepeta mussinii), cat grass
• Tin size: 1 litre
• Packaging: plastic-free, recyclable
• Seeds batch-tested for germination quality
• Catnip and catmint are perennial; cat grass requires regular re-sowing

All three plants in this kit are considered safe for cats. Catnip and catmint produce a temporary behavioural response in sensitive cats that is harmless and self-limiting. If your cat has a known health condition or you have concerns about introducing new plants, consult your vet. Keep growing materials out of reach of young children.