Growing Cat Friendly Plants: Safe Picks for Your Home

When it comes to keeping our feline friends safe, knowing which plants are cat-friendly is just as important as knowing which ones to avoid. While information about toxic plants for cats abounds, it’s equally helpful to learn about plants that are safe, appealing and beneficial to cats. This article explores several excellent options to grow at home, ensuring your cat’s environment is both stimulating and safe.

If you’re seeking reliable advice on toxic plants to avoid, see our detailed Cats and Poisonous Plants guide, a valuable resource on plant safety in the feline household.

Introduction to Cat Friendly Plants

Cats are renowned for their curious nibbling habits, so having safe greenery around not only protects your pet but can also encourage great behaviour and aid digestion. Apart from the famous catnip, plants such as lemon grass, cat thyme, and valerian also attract cats and are non-toxic. Certain succulent, soft grasses can be another good option — but it's important to choose varieties that are tender and unlikely to cause irritation or digestive blockage.

Growing cat-friendly plants does more than please your pet. Plants like catnip and valerian fascinate cats with their aromas, while others like lemon grass provide safe sensory stimulation. Many of these plants also attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, supporting your garden’s health.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Known also as cat mint or catswort, catnip is a herbaceous perennial growing to 50-100cm. The species Nepeta cataria is the most popular for cats, containing nepetalactone, which stimulates feline olfactory receptors to create a temporary euphoric effect.

Catnip is hardy and thrives best in full sun to partial shade and well-drained, airy soil. It can spread enthusiastically, so container growing is recommended to control its growth. You might find that your cat enjoys reclining on the leaves or chewing the stems. For easy access and neatness, hanging baskets and regular leaf trimming can help.

Seed germination is slow; start indoors about 10 weeks before frost-free dates, or propagate by dividing mature plants from previous years. Catnip can be harvested and dried for winter use. It also acts as a natural mosquito repellent and is loved by pollinating insects, making it a beneficial addition to your garden.

Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus)

If your cat is indifferent to catnip, lemon grass could be an enticing alternative. Though the essential oil can be toxic, the live plant itself is non-toxic to cats and produces a similar effect to catnip.

Lemon grass is tropical and prefers sunny conditions but can be grown in pots in the UK, brought indoors through winter. It can be grown from fresh stalks or purchased seedlings. Heavy pots are advisable since cats may enjoy lying against or scratching around the plant.

Cat Thyme (Teucrium marum)

Despite its name, cat thyme is unrelated to the culinary thyme and smells mustier. This perennial native to Spain and the Mediterranean prefers well-drained soil and sunshine. It’s best potted and moved indoors or to a protected spot during hard frosts, as it doesn’t tolerate cold well.

Growing up to about 60cm tall, cat thyme attracts many cats with its scent but not all, so observing your cat’s preferences is key. Bees also favour cat thyme, contributing to garden biodiversity.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian is a hardy perennial with sweet vanilla-scented flowers, but it’s the compound actinidine in its roots and crushed leaves that cats find attractive. The plant grows well in damp, shady areas but appreciates some afternoon shade in gardens. It can be sown outdoors in late winter or early spring and requires moist soil with mulch.

Valerian self-seeds readily and can spread if unattended, so removing old flowers helps keep it tidy. Note that rats are attracted to valerian, so it’s best planted away from buildings for this reason.

Cat Grass (Dactylis glomerata)

Often called orchard grass, cat grass is favoured by indoor cats for nibbling and rolling. Safe for cats, it aids digestion and helps reduce hairballs. Sow seeds in a shallow tray on a sunny windowsill or in a warm greenhouse in summer. Ready when about 7 inches (around 18cm) tall, it’s important to avoid tougher, sticky grasses which may pose risks to your cat’s palate.

Tips for Growing Cat Friendly Plants

1. Choose safe, non-toxic plants like those mentioned above, and always verify safety on trusted sources such as the ASPCA toxic plant list.
2. Grow plants in containers to control spreading species and to protect them during colder months.
3. Position plants carefully where cats can enjoy them but also where they won’t cause a mess or be damaged easily.
4. Maintain healthy plants with proper watering, drainage, light and pruning as needed.
5. Observe your cat’s reactions — not all cats respond to the same plants, so find what your feline enjoys best.
6. Ensure plants chosen are also easy for you to care for, balancing your gardening skill level and commitment.

By thoughtfully selecting and nurturing cat-friendly plants, you create a safer and more engaging environment for your feline companion. These plants not only provide healthy stimulation but also add beauty and vitality to your garden or indoor spaces.

For more information on adopting and caring for cats, including breed specific advice, visit our kitten and cat adoption pages to find the perfect feline friend.