When to Plant Catnip in New Jersey

Growing Catnip in New Jersey: Complete Guide

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before New Jersey's last frost. Depending on your zone, New Jersey gardeners start seeds indoors between January 23, 2027 (Zone 8a) and February 18, 2027 (Zone 6b), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.

Because New Jersey stretches across 4 USDA hardiness zones (6b, 7a, 7b, 8a), planting windows can shift by as much as two to four weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 90 days to maturity, Catnip needs the indoor head start that New Jersey's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Catnip requires full sun to partial shade and low (less than 1 inch/week) moisture. In the Northeast, cool summers and moderate humidity can slow warm-season crops, so choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to maximise heat.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of New Jersey.