Even if you adore cats, you don’t want stray cats to stroll around your yard, and you should know how to prevent cats from defecating in your garden. A simple and reliable preventative is to grow plants that repel cats. See our ten recommendations.
Geraniums (Pelargonium)
If you want to add color to your landscape while using a natural cat deterrent, geraniums are a great option. These garden plants give off a nice smell to humans, but most cats find them offensive to their sense of smell. Geraniums are typically an outdoor plant, but they may also be kept within throughout the winter if they are given the right care.
Water geraniums sparingly and only when the leaves start to droop, according to proper care instructions. As new growth forms, remove the old, dead leaves.
Allow the soil to dry completely before watering, and reduce watering throughout the winter but not enough to let the roots dry out. Deadhead blooms to encourage new ones and pinch stems to encourage a bush-like look.
Keep Cats AwayScaredy Cat Plant (Coleus canina)
You might assume that these are the finest plants for deterring cats based just on their names, but the smell is actually what does it. Due to the fact that neither cats nor dogs like the aroma, these are plants to keep them away. Not everyone likes these plants since they smell extremely like pee.
When growing the Scaredy Cat Plant, arrange them in a ring or a line immediately in the trouble spots. Cats won’t get around them to access the other parts of your garden. You might be amazed at how simple it is to maintain these plants because they require little work. If your cat uses dry portions of the garden as a litter box, plant one of these there because it thrives in dry conditions.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium)
Pennyroyals, the tiniest member of the mint family, aren’t only plants that keep cats away—they also ward off a number of insects. This herb is a great option if you prefer using the plants you cultivate because it is stronger and far more potent than other mint herbs in the family.
The herb is frequently used in teas when it is extracted. The American Pennyroyal should not be confused with the European variety. The low-growing plant has hairy stem roots that can reach heights of up to a foot.
Pennyroyal roots anywhere it touches the ground, making it a great flower for use as ground cover. As a border plant for a cat repellant, the new Pennyroyal plants perform admirably. The plant thrives in zones 5 through 9, prefers full sun, but may take some shade.
Lavender (Lavandula)Cat Repellent Plants
While most people enjoy the aroma of lavender, cats do not, for some reason, therefore it is a great choice for plants that deter cats. One of the best plants for repelling insects and wildlife, shrubby lavender plants are also great cat deterrents. It is recommended to place them in a line when using them to keep cats out of your garden.
The vast array of choices with lavender is one problem you may run into. The taller types are the most successful at deterring cats, however all help.
Cats are jumpers, but they are less inquisitive if a bush covers their view, as the taller lavender plants do. As these bushes produce their lovely aroma anytime something brushes against them, planting them along borders also helps to scare cats away.
Common Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Cats stay away from the Common Rue because of its musty smell, but cats don’t want to eat its leaves because of its bitter flavor. When planting the shrub in garden beds near youngsters, use caution because it is deadly if eaten.
A well-drained, dry to moderately damp soil is ideal for the evergreen shrub’s growth. The bush prefers direct sunlight, but will tolerate some shade, poor soil, and poor drainage.
Rue thrives in zones four through eight, although it needs winter mulch and does not like soggy ground. It should only be placed in the middle or front rows of garden beds when being used to dissuade cats because its height and spread are only up to three feet.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)Plants that Keep Cats Away
A woody perennial with a Mediterranean origin, rosemary. The perennial is not only effective in keeping cats out of your garden, but it is also incredibly beneficial in the kitchen. When planting rosemary, keep in mind that it does not thrive in cold weather or moist soil. Instead, it loves a dry, moderately warm climate.
These plants prefer neutral to alkaline soil, so use a high-quality compost with a pH of 7. Rosemary grows best when planted in a container since you can bring it inside when the weather changes if you live in a region that is colder than Zone 9 on the US hardiness map.
Alternatively to being a perennial plant, rosemary can also be grown as a summer annual. Cats are scared away by the smell of the plant, so placing containers next to flowerbeds or along the patio can also assist.
Curry Plant (Helichrysum augustfolium)
Many people consider this plant to be an annoyance when it naturally occurs, however these pungent-smelling plants are effective cat deterrents. The shrub grows to a height of two feet and a width of three feet and needs direct sunlight. Offer the curry plant protection from wind and moisture when growing it in gardens.
This plant is effective in keeping cats away, but it also serves as a deterrent for deer. Small yellow blooms on a shrub that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11, the curry plant is offered. You should be aware that it can be challenging to remove the plant if you ever decide to do so.
Despite having a curry-like scent, the plant is not a herb and cannot be used in cooking. The plant thrives in arid and deficient soil.
Plants that Deter CatsCitronella (Pelargonium graveolens citrosa)
Citronella, widely known as the mosquito plant because it helps ward off mosquitoes, also acts to deter cats. Cats, mosquitoes, and other insects do not like the aroma that the geranium citronella releases, which is pleasant and citrus-like to humans.
When brushed against to release its aroma, citronella works in garden beds or containers put throughout the patio and along walkways.
Avoid overfertilizing these plants because too much nitrogen lessens the scent of the leaves. Despite being a perennial, citronella is a delicate plant that struggles in colder areas.
Before the first frost, always relocate indoors; otherwise, treat it as an annual. The plant needs light, well-draining soil that is kept on the drier side, and it enjoys partial shade.
Lemongrass (Cymbopogon)
Lemongrass can grow up to five feet tall and is found in thick, grassy bunches. This tropical herb is frequently used in garden beds as ornamental grasses because of its resemblance in look. One of the many advantages of lemongrass as a herb is its capacity to deter cats and other pests with its lemony-citrus fruit aroma.
Never plant lemongrass in clay soil because it is a tropical plant that prefers moisture and would quickly perish if left in wet soil. Even in hotter areas, Lemongrass should be planted in a location that provides full sun.
Lemongrass needs well-draining soil with consistent hydration because it is a tropical plant, which prevents the roots from drying up. Use high-quality potting soil for planting in a pot, one that is at least 12 inches across.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip tends to attract cats, so it stands to reason that you’re interested in learning how to use catnip to deter cats. Planting catnip in a location that you don’t mind cats visiting will draw them to that part of your yard. Another plant in the mint family is catnip, although cats absolutely love the scent of it.
Catnip prevents your planters from being used as litter boxes, as can just scattering crushed leaves in a sandbox or other areas of your yard. When planting, be sure the location has lots of space so that cats, including stray cats, can roll around there without endangering anything else.
The low-growing perennial will wither away in the winter and reappear in the spring. Chicken wire can be used to cover plants to help shield the base and roots from adoring cats.
I hope you enjoyed reading about these ten plants that deter cats. Please spread the word on Facebook and Pinterest about our cat-repelling plants if you find any of them to be helpful.
Can felines detect geranium?
Any part of the fragrant plant, including the aroma, can be consumed and result in feline scented geranium poisoning. Linaol and geranoil, two essential oils found in the scented geranium’s leaves, stem, roots, and flower in particular, are poisonous to cats and other domestic animals including horses and dogs. The stomach does not respond well to the plant’s essential oils, and sickness frequently sets in before the cat can consume a significant amount of greenery. Unfortunately, even a modest quantity of scented geranium is regarded as harmful because most felines are small in size.
Which plant will deter cats?
Cats digging in your garden can be an annoyance and a major health danger (since some cat feces contain toxoplasmosis, which can spread). It might even be your pet! (Image courtesy of Felicia D’Ascano on Unsplash)
Neighbourhood kitties digging in your garden can be a nuisance. Maybe it’s even your own cat!
- Carnivores include cats. Their feces may carry infections or parasites that aren’t found in the dung of herbivores. The majority of us intend to eat the food we cultivate, therefore this is alarming! (The same holds true for dog waste.)
- Every year, over 140 million (birds and small animals) are killed by stray domestic cats. And if you’re doing it right, your garden and yard are made to draw wild birds as well as pollinators like hummingbirds.
- Neighborhood relationships may be strained by roaming cats.
To prevent cats from entering your beloved vegetable beds and eating the food you raise, use these solutions:
Prickly is best
Cats will steer clear of spiky areas and prefer to walk on soft, loose soil. Create a less appealing or litter-like atmosphere in your garden beds. Try these straightforward, inexpensive remedies for prickly problems:
- Twigs should be used to cover cat-friendly garden soil until your spring plants are well-established. They should be spaced a few inches apart all over the bed. Bear in mind that twig bundles aid wild bees!
- Push thorny yard trimmings, such as pine cones or fall leaves, into the soil around your plants. Other choices include recycled plastic carpet runners with the nub side up, stone mulch, eggshells, holly cuttings, and so forth.
- Use wooden chopsticks to repurpose as garden stakes! Try different spacings. The goal is to space them out so that it will be difficult for the cat to turn around.
- Over the earth, place chicken wire or plastic fencing pieces. (Many plants will increase as a result of this!) Lattice pieces on the ground can also be effective.
- By laying out onion or potato mesh produce bags in the garden and securing them with twigs or posts, you can recycle them. If required, widen the opening around your developing plants. Keep a watch on any plastic items you put to the garden to prevent wind from carrying them away and making them litter.
Use scent to keep the cats away
- Rue, lavender, pennyroyal, Coleus canina, and lemon thyme are all pungent to cats. These should be scattered around the garden. (Planting new plants can draw pollinators and other helpful insects.)
Are geranium flowers edible to cats?
Pets, especially dogs and cats, should not be exposed to scented geraniums (Pelargonium spp.), a common flower in gardens and pots. Your pet may display minor or severe symptoms, depending on the chemicals in the plant and the level of exposure. It may, in rare circumstances, cause a coma.
Cats are naturally interested, therefore it is feasible for them to eat geranium. Contact your veterinarian if you suspect your cat may have eaten geranium. Geraniums can be quite uncomfortable, yet they seldom result in death.
Scent geraniums, the most deadly geraniums, grow in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. (Pelargonium spp). Some cultivars of this plant have useful apple, citrus, and mint smells for the perfume business.
The essential oils from its leaves are used to create fragrances and insect repellents. A variety of jams and jellies can also be flavored using vibrant flowers and vegetation. This plant, which flourishes in pots or gardens, may be accessible to cats and dogs from both inside and outside.
The main toxins found in scented geraniums, geraniol and linalool, can cause vomiting in animals as well as skin irritation. Surprisingly, these two chemicals are also used to make insect repellents.
What vegetation deters cats from peeing in your garden?
They work best when placed around the borders of flower beds or at the entrances to your garden.
Due of the fragrance or texture, cats will be less likely to cross them or go by them.
They will also be hesitant to jump over, especially if they are unable to see past the plant.
Lavender
The reason we’ve ranked this plant at the top is that cats dislike the smell that humans find so alluring, which makes it an extremely effective cat repellent.
Lavender will give your flower beds a lovely purple tint and is a perennial plant.
Those of you who are more inventive in the kitchen might be able to use it as well.
Rosemary
Lavender is a popular cat deterrent with a pleasant scent, while rosemary is also a popular cat deterrent with a human draw.
It has similar advantages to lavender, including being lovely and evergreen, but it is simpler to utilize in cooking.
Curry Herb Plant
According to one website’s description of this herb, “Cats don’t enjoy curry.
Curry herb isn’t as popular as some other options because some other plants don’t like it either.
Cats and other animals will take precautions to avoid brushing past this plant because of the stench it releases when they do.
Pennyroyal
a member of the mint family that, when crushed or brushed by, gives off a peppermint-like scent.
Cats dislike the smell and would want to completely avoid it, just like they do with the other highly fragrant plants on our list.
Scaredy Cat Plant
The effectiveness of this herb, which is native to Africa, India, and Indonesia, is still up for debate. [source]
Many websites assert that Plectranthus Caninus, sometimes known as the scaredy-cat plant, naturally repels cats and other animals, while Wikipedia is less certain, claiming that “no study currently exists that supports such practice.”
If you decide to gamble on this plant, be careful not to overpay to a vendor who is attempting to capitalize on its name and reputation.
Any Plant With Thorns
No cat will risk skewering itself while using the restroom because spiky thorns are a less subtle deterrent than aromas and fragrances.
If you choose the thorny route, you have a variety of options: dense shrubs like blackberry or even holly will build strong barriers, while rose bushes will produce lovely flowers if you take good care of them while still deterring cats.
As boundary defenses, shrubs are particularly effective: if a cat encounters a wall of thorny holly on their way into your garden, it’s likely that they’ll turn around and search somewhere else.
Catnip
Catnip can be planted in one section of your garden to draw cats away from other places if you wish to approach the situation differently.
Most cats can’t resist the natural high that this plant, often referred to as catswort, catwort, and catmint, gives them.
Few people are aware that you may produce your own at home, despite the fact that the dried form is well-liked at pet stores and utilized in a variety of cat toys.
Cats will almost surely stop to investigate if they smell this, so consider planting a small amount in a hidden spot in your garden to entice the cats away from your valued beds.