My Cats Adore These Three Garden Plants and That Makes Me So Happy
I can hear the purring from the patio.
If you got a cat, and you’ve got a garden, then here’s what your moggy wants you to do: add these feline-pleasing plants, pronto! I’ve been gardening with cats for over 15 years, and articles about plants that are poisonous for cats frequently pop up on my feed. But what about plants that cats love?
Growing plants for cats to enjoy is so rewarding. Cats are wonderful gardening companions and, bar the occasional mid-border poop (and pushing twigs into any bare patches of soil soon solves that problem), don’t cause any damage. So it seems fair to please them with plants that they actively enjoy.
I grow all three of these plants for my moggies – Silver Birch, Stormchaser and Clemmie-Maud (no judgement please, blame my kids!). They sniff them, roll around in them, and fall fast asleep in the middle of them. I’m surprised how well the plants hold up to such rough treatment, but they’re all robust and, if a stem gets knocked over, I simply cut it off and another grows. Simple to look after and pretty enough to earn a place in the garden, all these plants are an easy way to make your yard more appealing to your cats.
1. Catnip
Of all plants cats like, catnip wins first prize. Catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone which, when inhaled, triggers a euphoric brain response that results in rolling, purring and sometimes a burst of running around. This response is harmless and non-addictive, and wears off after 10 minutes or so. Afterwards, the cat is immune to catnip's effects for up to two hours, so don’t worry that your moggy will like this plant-induced state of bliss a little too much. There's no teenage overindulging either, as catnip doesn't affect kittens until they're around 6 months old.
A hardy perennial in zones 3-9, growing catnip is so easy. Do raise it in a planter set on hard landscaping though, as it’s a member of the mint family and, like many of its cousins, loves to romp away. Nepeta cataria grows to 2½ feet high and, while it has pretty enough white or pale pink flowers, sometimes dotted with purple, you won't be growing it for its ornamental value as it has a tendency towards straggly stems. If you regularly pinch off the stem tips, however – and your cat will happily help you with this task – catnip grows into a dense, bushy mound of foliage that's appealing in a patio pot.
Catnip seeds are available from Amazon, and it’s quick to germinate. You’ll need to place a cage over the planter or keep it out of reach while the seedlings establish, as your cat won’t be able to resist. The other secret to a thriving catnip plant is to give it well-draining soil, so mix a handful of horticultural grit such as this from Amazon into any multipurpose potting soil. It’s a drought-tolerant sun-lover, though it’ll be fine in partial shade, too.
It’s best to cut fading flowering stems as catnip self-seeds easily. Cut stems, too, to dry to give to your cat through the winter months.
Not all cats are affected by catnip. Sensitivity to catnip is an inherited trait and only around 70% of cats have it, so don’t worry if your feline doesn’t respond.
2. Catmint
Catmint also contains the volatile compound nepetalactone, though in far lower doses. While smelling the plant will still give your cat a temporary high, it won’t be as intense as that offered by catnip. What you are likely to see, though, is your cat rolling among the catmint stems. It’s thought that the plant evolved to produce nepetalactone to repel pests, and by rolling on the stems and leaves to crush them, cats are naturally protecting themselves against fleas.
Also belonging to the Nepeta genus, catmint is far better behaved and far more ornamental than catnip, making it a super drought-tolerant plant for borders and path edges. Growing catmint is easy as it's a reliable perennial that will return year after year with very little care. There are all sorts of catmint hybrids and cultivars, and breeders have had fun dreaming up names from ‘Purrsian Blue’ to ‘Kitten Around’. Many hybrids have been developed to be deliberately compact so the plants are far less likely to be damaged, and their stems flattened, by over-enthusiastic cats.
Thriving in full sun, Nepeta ‘Cat’s Pajamas’ is a particularly ornamental variety with gloriously vibrant purple-blue blooms from spring to fall, naturally growing into a neat mound a foot high and 1-2 feet wide. Available from Fast Growing Trees, it’s suitable for zones 3-8.
3. Valerian
Valerian officinalis contains the compound actinidine, which is structurally similar to nepetalactone, and it’s thought this smells similar to a feline’s pheromones. While the compound is concentrated in the roots, it’s also contained in the foliage, and cats will rub against the stems and sometimes chew the leaves. Unlike the calming effect common valerian has on humans, it stimulates cats to play, purr and roll around – and then have a good snooze, often right by the plant.
For the full effect of valerian, you'll need to harvest the roots. Wait until your plant has been in the ground for at least two summers, then dig up. The best time to do this is in autumn once the plant has died back. Scrub the roots well and hang up in an airy spot to dry. Be warned, valerian roots smell like old socks!
Then chop up the root and keep it in an airtight tin. Use in moderation, and don't give more than half a teaspoon at a time. If your cat tends to eat the valerian root, put a small amount inside a cat toy – ingesting small amounts is harmless but eating lots can cause a stomach upset or vomiting.
Valerian officinalis is a substantial plant, growing to 3-5 feet high with pretty cottage-garden clusters of white to pale pink flowers. It’s not too late to sow in sun or partial shade now, and seeds are available from Amazon. However, common valerian likes moist soil so you’ll need to keep it well-watered over the summer while it establishes. Press the seeds onto the surface of moist soil and barely cover with a very light sprinkling as they need light to germinate.
Growing valerian is straightforward and once it's established in your garden, you won't be without it in zones 3-9. It's a self-seeder so, if you don’t want it to spread around your garden, snip the stems as soon as they finish flowering. Don't confuse this plant with red valerian, which cats will ignore.
If your cat is pregnant, has any health problems or is on any medication, consult your vet before giving him or her any stimulants.
