When to Plant Catnip in District of Columbia

Growing Catnip in District of Columbia: Complete Guide

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before District of Columbia's last frost. Depending on your zone, District of Columbia gardeners start seeds indoors between January 23, 2027 (Zone 8a) and February 13, 2027 (Zone 7a), then move transplants outside once their zone's last frost has passed — the zone table above has your exact dates.

Because District of Columbia stretches across 3 USDA hardiness zones (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 District of Columbia'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. Check your local forecast for humidity and heat advisories that may affect timing and pest pressure.

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 District of Columbia.