Skip to content
🌿 Herb easy

Growing Catnip in Shanghai

🇨🇳 Zone 6 Planting Guide · Humid subtropical climate

USDA Zone 6 280 frost-free days 60-80 days to harvest

Quick Answer: Growing Catnip in Shanghai

Yes, you can grow Catnip in Shanghai, CN! Plant during Oct, Nov for best results. Shanghai is in USDA Zone 6 with a Humid subtropical climate, offering 280 frost-free days per year. The difficulty level is easy, and Catnip takes 60-80 days to harvest. Catnip needs full sun to partial shade and moderate watering.

Climate Match Analysis

Moderate Match Shanghai + Catnip

Shanghai's climate requires careful timing. Summer highs (32°C) exceed Catnip's maximum (30°C), so plant early or provide shade. Follow the recommended planting months for success.

Catnip tolerates -15°C to 30°C
Optimal: 12°C - 24°C
Shanghai range 1°C to 32°C

Shanghai Climate Data

USDA Zone
6
Frost-Free
280days
Winter Low
1°C
Summer High
32°C
Rainfall
1167mm/yr
Climate
Cfa
Humid subtropical

Catnip Planting Calendar for Shanghai

Green months show the best time to plant Catnip in Shanghai

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant Catnip Not recommended

Catnip Growing Requirements

☀️

Sunlight

Full Sun to Partial Shade

2-4 hours direct sunlight

💧

Water

Moderate

Keep soil consistently moist

📅

Days to Harvest

60-80

From planting to first harvest

📊

Difficulty

easy

Great for beginners

💡 Growing Tips for Catnip

Very vigorous -- contain or it spreads. Cats will roll in it. Can be planted 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost, giving it a head start on the growing season. Water steadily but avoid soggy soil. A 5-cm layer of organic mulch helps balance moisture and suppress weeds.

Frost tolerance: Catnip is frost tolerant — you can plant earlier in spring.

How to Grow Catnip in Shanghai

Shanghai, CN is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 with a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa). With winter lows of 1°C and summer highs of 32°C, the growing season spans approximately 280 frost-free days. Catnip is one of the easiest plants to grow in this climate.

Catnip thrives in temperatures between 12°C and 24°C, requiring full sun to partial shade and moderate watering. In Shanghai, the best months to plant Catnip are October, November. Since Catnip can tolerate frost, you have flexibility to plant earlier in the season or extend into cooler months. Expect to harvest in approximately 60-80 days after planting.

Shanghai receives 1167mm of annual rainfall, which provides good natural moisture for Catnip. Monitor soil moisture and water as needed.

Other Plants That Grow in Shanghai

More plants you can grow alongside Catnip in Shanghai

Keep Exploring

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow catnip in Shanghai?

Yes! Catnip can be successfully grown in Shanghai, CN. Shanghai is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6 with a Humid subtropical climate. The difficulty level for growing Catnip here is rated "easy". The best months to plant are October, November.

When should I plant catnip in Shanghai?

In Shanghai, the recommended planting months for Catnip are October, November. Shanghai has 280 frost-free days per year, with winter lows of 1°C and summer highs of 32°C. Catnip is frost tolerant, giving you more flexibility with planting dates.

How long does catnip take to grow in Shanghai?

Catnip typically takes 60-80 days from planting to harvest. In Shanghai's Humid subtropical climate with 280 frost-free days, you have plenty of time to grow Catnip to maturity. Very vigorous -- contain or it spreads. Cats will roll in it. Can be planted 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost, giving it a head start on the growing season. Water steadily but avoid soggy soil. A 5-cm layer of organic mulch helps balance moisture and suppress weeds.

Can I grow catnip indoors in Shanghai?

Catnip can potentially be grown indoors in Shanghai with proper conditions. It requires full sun to partial shade (2-4 hours of indirect light). Indoor growing extends your season beyond the Oct, Nov outdoor planting window. Use containers with good drainage and moderate watering.

What month do I plant catnip in Shanghai?

Plant Catnip in Shanghai during October, November. These are the optimal months based on Shanghai's USDA Zone 6 climate, 280 frost-free days, and temperature range of 1°C to 32°C.

Is catnip hard to grow in Shanghai?

Catnip is rated "easy" to grow in Shanghai. This is a great choice for beginners — it is forgiving and adapts well to this climate. The climate match for Catnip in Shanghai is Moderate.

What grows well with catnip in Shanghai?

In Shanghai, you can grow many companion plants alongside Catnip. Good options from the same planting window include Tomato, Basil, Lettuce, Carrot and 2 more. These plants share similar planting months and thrive in Shanghai's Zone 6 climate.

Does catnip need full sun in Shanghai?

Catnip requires full sun to partial shade. Catnip tolerates lower light. In Shanghai, a spot with filtered or indirect light for 2-4 hours works well.

Last updated: March 2026 · Climate data from NOAA, FAO, USDA

See an error? Report it