A woman planting herbs in a garden - O2o Creative/Getty Images Beloved by felines and surprisingly useful to humans, catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a fast-growing herb that is easy to propagate from ...

Catnip is easy to grow because of its tolerance for a variety of growing conditions. It will thrive in almost any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Companion planting is a great way to optimize the growth and health of your plants. With cucumbers, you'll want to plant this fast-growing herb nearby.