How Can I Dry Catnip Plants for Future Use?
Catnip, a member of the mint family, is at its optimal stage for harvest when in full bloom. For the most flavorful collection of catnip and any other herb, pick the plants in the morning after the dew has evaporated for the day. The air-drying method will have your catnip ready for storage in about two weeks, whereas the oven method will dry them within one day. Use the dried catnip as a cat toy or culinary ingredient. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gardening shears
- Rubber bands or string
- Airtight containers
- Cookie sheet
- Spatula
- Paper bag (optional)
Instructions
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Air Drying Catnip
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1
Pick the catnip by cutting the stalks a few inches above the ground with a pair of gardening shears.
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2
Separate the plants into small bunches of about six plants per group.
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3
String each bunch together by wrapping a rubber band or piece of string around the lower portion of the stalks.
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4
Hang each bunch upside down in a well-ventilated area, with a room temperature between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
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5
Remove the leaves once they become crispy and put them in an airtight container. Store them in a cool, dark area and use as needed.
Oven Drying Catnip
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6
Preheat the oven to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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7
Place the catnip in a single layer on a cookie sheet and set it in the oven.
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8
Stir them around on the sheet with a spatula in 30 minutes and then stir them again every 30 minutes for three to six hours or until they are crispy from drying.
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9
Allow them to cool and then store them in a cool, dark area in an airtight container.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Tie a paper bag with holes poked through it over each bunch of herbs to protect them from gathering dust while drying.
References
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Digital Vision/Getty Images
