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Nepata Cataria Cats go crazy for this easy-to-grow plant. Makes a delicious tea from green leaves. Start early indoors or outdoors after danger of frost. Hardy perennial, will self-sow once established. Likes rich or sandy soils. Tolerates poor soil and drought. Calms mild stomach disorders, produces restful sleep and relieves fever when added to teas. Tovah Martin writes that rats are reputed to despise it, so it is sometimes used as a companion plant for melons and squashes. Researchers at Iowa St. U. who claim catnip is a top-notch mosquito repellant suggest rubbing crushed leaves on the skin is several times more effective than using DEET. Especially attractive to pollinators.