Cat Thyme (Teucrium Marum), often known as "Cat Crack" or "Kitty Crack," is a unique, aromatic herb that is especially beloved by feline friends for its intoxicating scent. This Mediterranean sub-shrub is characterized by its silvery-green foliage and clusters of vibrant red-purple flowers that add visual interest to your garden. With 20 premium seeds in this pack, you can cultivate this aromatic plant in your garden or as a potted indoor plant. Not only does it attract cats, but it’s also a beautiful addition to your herb garden, offering both ornamental value and practical use.

Key Features:

• 20 High-Quality Seeds: Enough to plant a small patch or grow multiple plants in containers.
• Cat-Friendly: Known for its ability to attract cats, this herb is perfect for those who want to create a cat-friendly garden. The scent of Cat Thyme stimulates playful behavior in felines, making it a natural alternative to catnip.
• Aromatic Herb: Cat Thyme has a fragrant aroma that not only attracts cats but is also pleasing to humans, with its herbal, slightly thyme-like scent.
• Vibrant Flowers: Features beautiful clusters of red and purple flowers, adding a pop of color to your garden.
• Silvery Foliage: The plant’s soft, silvery-green leaves create an attractive and unique texture, perfect for borders, rock gardens, or containers.
• Low-Maintenance: This herb is hardy and easy to grow, requiring minimal care once established.

Growing Information:

• Light Requirements: Cat Thyme thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. To encourage the healthiest growth and abundant flowering, ensure it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Soil Preferences: This herb prefers well-draining, slightly sandy or rocky soil. It does well in poor soils and does not require excessive fertilization. A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5 is ideal.
• Planting Tips:
  • Indoor Planting: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Use a seed-starting mix, pressing the seeds lightly into the soil and keeping them moist.
  • Outdoor Planting: Once the last frost has passed and the soil has warmed, sow seeds directly outdoors in a sunny location. Space them about 12 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
  • Transplanting: If starting indoors, transplant seedlings to the garden after they’ve developed strong roots and the threat of frost has passed.
• Watering Needs: Once established, Cat Thyme is drought-tolerant, requiring little watering. Keep the soil moderately moist during its early growth stages, but avoid overwatering, as it prefers drier conditions.
• Temperature: Cat Thyme prefers warmer temperatures but is hardy to USDA Zones 7-9. It can handle mild frost, but heavy freezes may damage the plant.

Benefits:

• Cat Attraction: The primary benefit of Cat Thyme is its appeal to cats. It can provide hours of fun and stimulation for your feline companions, as they enjoy rubbing and rolling on its fragrant leaves.
• Aesthetic Appeal: With its silvery foliage and vibrant flowers, Cat Thyme can enhance the look of any garden, especially rock gardens, herb gardens, or mixed borders.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this herb requires very little attention, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners or anyone looking for a hardy, drought-tolerant plant.
• Herbal Uses: Though not as commonly used as other herbs, Cat Thyme has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, such as treating coughs or digestive issues. However, it is most famous for its effects on cats.

Growing Zones:
Cat Thyme thrives in USDA Zones 7-9, where temperatures range from mild to warm. It can be grown as a perennial in these zones and typically survives mild winters. In colder climates, it may be grown as an annual or brought indoors during the winter.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Cat-Friendly Garden: Plant Cat Thyme in a designated area of your garden where your cats can safely interact with it. It can be used as a border plant or in a dedicated "cat zone" where they can enjoy its effects.
• Ornamental Value: With its silvery foliage and vibrant red-purple flowers, Cat Thyme makes a lovely addition to rock gardens, herb gardens, or even as a potted plant on a balcony or patio.
• Companion Planting: Cat Thyme can be planted alongside other aromatic herbs like thyme, oregano, and lavender. It also works well in Mediterranean or cottage-style gardens.
• Indoor Planting: If you want to keep your cats entertained indoors, grow Cat Thyme in a pot and place it in a sunny window where your cats can access it. It will also bring a touch of nature to your living space.

Conclusion:
Cat Thyme (Teucrium Marum) is a unique, aromatic herb that offers both ornamental beauty and feline entertainment. With its silvery foliage and vibrant red-purple flowers, it will add color and texture to your garden, while its cat-attracting properties will delight your feline friends. Easy to grow and low-maintenance, it’s the perfect addition for pet owners, herb enthusiasts, and gardeners looking to create a beautiful and functional space. With 20 seeds in this packet, you can start your very own Cat Thyme garden today.