I live in a fairly dusty urban area; good Eastern sun but not a lot of exposure from the West. I would like to start growing catnip for my felines and its supposed insect-repelling properties.
I am totally new to growing. Could this plant prosper outside in the city or would I have to grow it indoors? What pointers would you give a novice? Is there a specific species I should start with or avoid?
Catnip will grow just about anywhere, but wherever it grows, it will attract every cat in the neighborhood. They roll on the plants, so if you want to have any left for your own cats, you'll probably have better success with it indoors. I did grow some outdoors once, but I ended up having to put a cage around it to protect it. 
I recommend that you just buy a container of it at a garden store or plant nursery. You'll find it with the herbs.
I recommend that you just buy a container of it at a garden store or plant nursery. You'll find it with the herbs.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Indeed, I suspect the cats will be all over it. I feel like it is a balancing act between attracting strays (if grown outside) or constant vacuuming (if my indoor cats get into it). I think I might compromise by trying to grow them on my open patio. If the neighborhood cats get too bold, I could ward them off easier as this is my property. I haven't seen too many stays yet.
Do you believe that catnip can grow well in one of those horizontal planter boxes after they've matured? I surely wouldn't mind some extra on a certain part of my patio.
Indeed, I suspect the cats will be all over it. I feel like it is a balancing act between attracting strays (if grown outside) or constant vacuuming (if my indoor cats get into it). I think I might compromise by trying to grow them on my open patio. If the neighborhood cats get too bold, I could ward them off easier as this is my property. I haven't seen too many stays yet.
Do you believe that catnip can grow well in one of those horizontal planter boxes after they've matured? I surely wouldn't mind some extra on a certain part of my patio.
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applestar
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Catnip is fairly drought tolerant so the planter boxes, if they are about 6"x6"x18 or 24" will probably work. Deeper box like 8" would be better though. In the ground, a happy catnip can grow 24" tall, and spread. Make sure to use a well draining soil mix with 1/4~1/3 sand. Well you can use perlite if you want but I don't like them.
