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May 14, 2014 at 8:00 AM • Comments: 37 Faves: 4

Cat-Safe Grass and Herb Gardens for Spoiled, Happy Indoor Felines

By Erin Froehlich More Blogs by This Author From the Feline 101 Blog Series

Though I'm famous among friends for my feline obsession, I have to admit I only recently picked up our first plot of cat grass! The things is, while I've had cats for years and love to indulge them, they've always been indoor/outdoor kitties so I never really thought they needed it. A few months ago though, I experienced the death of one very special cat and shortly after, moved to the city. Now, my kitties are strictly indoors. Though I love going for walks with them and may allow them outdoors again when I'm back in the country and can supervise, I just couldn't bear to lose another.

Surprisingly though, despite my worries our cats would feel bored, resentful, or depressed being stuck inside - for the most part? - while at first they complained a bit, they don't even try to get outside anymore! Seems they're happy enough roaming the indoor wilderness - jumping from counter to cabinet top, nimbly balancing on the backs of our dining room chairs, chasing each other up and down the stairs, sneakily reaching to take a bite of my beautiful hanging spider plant

"Thomasina!! No! Get down!" *claps hands, cat scatters*

Okay. If I'm to believe the evidence presented by my trampled greenery and the torn, perforated leaves on my potted plants, it seems the cats do at least miss the vegetation. It was time to get them their own plants - plants I wouldn't mind enduring the feline abuse. Cat grass to the rescue!

The consensus? Each cat's interest in the grass was about consistent with their interest in the other plants in the house. The plant killers loved the cat grass, and did, to my relief, seem to prefer it above my other poor plants. The cats we hadnt really had as much trouble with before were less enthusiastic than say, our little veggie-slayer Thomasina; however, they still seemed curious and appreciative, taking delicate nibbles here and there.

I felt pretty pleased with myself. It was good seeing them enjoy their own little piece of nature and while I wasn't sure exactly what benefit they might be gleaning, it was comforting thinking they'd be healthier for their intake of greens.

But - is that really the case? Knowing cats to be carnivores, I started wondering - what is the deal with the plant eating?

Cat Grass for Nutrition?

Turns out, on this score, even expert opinions are mixed. Some say while harmless, cat grass offers no benefits whatsoever for cats - they eat it because theyre bored, or because they like the way it feels. This camp points out that cats are obligate carnivores needing an even higher concentration of meat in their diets than dogs. While cats CAN eat plants there's no real purpose for it, they say. Another theory is that grass eating may be an evolutionary leftover from times when all cats ate, lived, (and died) outdoors and parasites were common. "Researchers have found that leaf eating reduces intestinal parasites in wild chimpanzees; the same may be true for tigers, lions, and other wild felids" says veterinarian Benjamin Hart of the University of California.

However, while acknowledging the facts, the other side feels there might be more grass has to offer an indoor cat than a little entertainment. While they may not be in same danger of parasites that wild cats are, and they may not need nutrients from grass specifically, they point out grass is a great source of fiber and can help improve digestion and remove any indigestible materials they may have taken in (fur from grooming). Wheatgrass - the most common type of grass sold as "Cat Grass" - also contains a wealth of nutrients. Just 4 grams holds:

320 mg of Vitamin E
260 mg Riboflavin
252 mg Niacin
140 mg Maganese
62 mg Zinc
39 mg Vitamin B6
36 mg Pantothenic Acid

And says petMD.com, "Much like mother's milk, the juices in grass contain folic acid. This is an essential vitamin for a cat's bodily functions and assists in the production ofhemoglobin, the protein that moves oxygen in the blood."

So, bottom line - while your cat probably isnt suffering without cat grass, it doesnt hurt to let them nibble and it may very well, even help!

More Feline-Friendly Flora for a Wow-Worthy Cat Garden

So we all agree - cat grass is a great way to treat your cat! But outdoor cats have a wide variety of plant life at their disposal. What other verdant additions could be safely made to your home? Well, as it turns out, we've got a lot of options.

Ready to up your indoor cat garden game?

Location, Location, Location: While, climate permitting, most plants would prefer to be outside, a well lit room with a good amount of natural light is a fair trade and all you really need to get started. The more light and warmth, the bigger and healthier these plants will grow!
Low light? No such space available? No worries! too little natural light can be supplemented with grow lights - many of which can fit into the lamps you already have and cost just $10 or less.
Pick Your Plants & Arrange Them Beautifully: Below I've included a list of plants (though not comprehensive) which are not only cat-safe, but cat-approved. Theyre feline favorites! Heights are included to aid in your arrangement of the garden typically taller plants go behind shorter ones and links to sites specific to the care of each plant are there to help ensure your success.

Wheat or Oat Grass

Grow to Height: 1 foot

What cat people call 'cat grass' is actually either wheat grass or oat grass, and sometimes, a combination of the two. While wheat and oat grasses could eventually grow to be 5 feet tall outdoors, the grains grown by both plants can be toxic to cats and so your wheat or oat grass must be kept short - either by feline "mowers" or by human hand clippers.Tips for growing from seed HERE.

Lemongrass

Maximum Height: 3 feet

Both cats and people love the smell of the aptly named lemongrass. In fact, some people even say their cat prefers lemongrass to any other plant! The plant itself is quite healthful, offering a host of benefits - it has antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiseptic, diuretic, sedative, and digestion-improving properties! Lemongrass can grow as tall as 3 feet and given room to spread, may span as far as 8 feet over time.Tips for growing lemon grass in pots HERE.

Catnip

Maximum Height: 4 feet

A member of the mint family, named for its most enthused appreciator, catnip interestingly has opposite effects for people and cats. While many "sleepytime" and relaxation tea blends contain catnip to soothe and sedate us, its scent gives many of our adult feline friends a frisky burst of energy. (However, not all adult cats react to catnip, andkittens never do.)It's thought that this works by mimicking feline "happy" pheromones. When cats eat catnip however, it has an effect very similar to that in humans. Cats mellow and become calmer.Tips for growing catnip indoorsHERE.

Mint

Maximum Height: 3 feet

Catnip's not the only member of the mint family kitties like. In fact, you can plant any one of the hundreds of mint varieties out there for both you and your cat enjoy! One particular favorite of mine growing in my own garden is a chocolate mint plant that truly tastes like a grasshopper (the delicious cookie kind - not the insect, obviously)! Other great options are apple mint, lemon mint, and of course, the classics - peppermint and spearmint. (A word of caution with this one however - EXCESSIVE intake of peppermint may cause digestive upset in cats. For this reason, it's important you monitor your cats, especially when first introducing the plant. A leaf here and there is fine, a salad bowl portion is not. Fortunately, most cats only nibble, preferring to smell and rub against peppermint plants rather than eating them, so this isn't likely to be a problem.)Tips for growing herbs like mint indoors HERE.

Parsley

Maximum Height: 2 feet

Says LA Times writer, Julie Davis in her own article on cat garden growing "Parsley is a favorite that provides vitamins A, B, C and beta carotene, potassium and other minerals" And of course, like many of the plants here actually, parsley is dual-purpose - a yummy dietary addition for both you and your favorite feline.Tips for growing parsley HERE.

Zinnias

Maximum Height: 3 feet

While your kitty may not necessarily prefer these to some of the other plants in this list, zinnias are safe for feline nibbling, and even considered among the edible flower options for people. Besides - they add a nice flash of bright color to an otherwise green-on-green kitty garden!Tips for growing zinnias indoors HERE.

Marigolds

Maximum Height: 3 feet

Marigolds give of a wonderful fresh, almost minty scent and as an added bonus help deter unwanted garden pests. They are also completely safe for cats and once again, add a nice splash of color to a cat garden. Like zinnias, marigold petals are also sometimes used for culinary purposes.Tips for growing marigolds indoor HERE.

Johnny-Jump Ups

Maximum Height: 10 inches

This is a variety of violet which grows an abundance of little delicate flowers adding more color variety and visual interest to a feline garden. While most commonly coming in variations of purple, yellow, and white, these edible flowers are available in a wide assortment of color options.Tips for growing violets indoors HERE.

Thyme

Maximum Height: 1 foot

While there is a specific variety of thyme cat thyme which is a favorite of felines (be warned, says petMD cat thyme has a particularly strong and some say, unpleasant, odor to us humans), any sort of thyme will appeal and be safe to grow in your kitty garden. "Cat thyme has the same soothing effects as catnip, with the attendant feelings of contentment" says petMD. Bonus thyme adds a yummy burst of flavor to roasted meat and vegetables!Tips for growing thyme indoors HERE.

Rosemary

Maximum Height: 5 feet

As a bush-growing herb, rosemary is a fun contrast among the grasses and typically low-growing herbs and flowers. As a safe choice for cats (and a yummy choice for your meat and potatoes!), rosemary adds a wonderful pine-like fragrance to the home and boasts the added benefit of repelling fleas in your kitties.Tips for growing rosemary indoors HERE.

Carrots

Maximum Height: 3 feet

While your cats aren't likely to go digging in the dirt for delicious root we love, carrot tops are a healthful herb they may enjoy. As a matter of fact, their lack of interest in a carrots below-the-soil offerings can make things really easy and inexpensive for you. Simply save and plant your left-over carrot tops. They wont regrow their roots to former glory, but they will readily offer up a bunch of pretty lacy greens.Tips for re-growing carrot tops from scraps HERE.

Valerian

Maximum Height: 4 feet

As mentioned earlier, not all cats respond to catnip as a stimulant. However, if your cat is among this crowd of indifferents and that's a little disappointing to you, you may find valerian does the trick! Like catnip, valerian is actually a sedative in humans - in fact, I keep a box of valerian tea and supplements around in case I'm feeling stressed. In kitties however, the effect is just the opposite and it's suggested that even if cats don't care about catnip, they will take to it. In fact, says Herbal Cat Care author, veterinarian Dr. Randy Kidd, "Some cats go even crazier for valerian."Tips for growing valerian indoors HERE.

Lavender

Maximum Height: 3 feet

Unlike other human sedative herbs, lavender has the same tranquilizing effect in our cats as it does on us, and both people and feline friends appreciate its sweet, soothing scent (the leaves are fragrant as well by the way, so you wont need to wait for blooms to enjoy it). Lavender makes an interesting addition to a cat garden, a yummy addition to your food such as in the classic French spice blend Herbs de Provence (savory + marjoram+ rosemary + oregano+ lavender leaves or flowers) and a luxurious addition to a warm bath.Tips for growing lavender indoors HERE.

Spider Plants

Maximum Height: 3 feet

But wait. Wasn't I just complaining about Thomasina eating my poor spider plant? Yes, and it turns out theres a good reason she was so interested! Says Ruth Amick for the SFGate, "It has grassy leaves, which may be one of the reasons many cats love it. It also contains compounds related to opium, which may explain why so many cats just can't leave it alone." As it turns out also, spider plants are safe for cats to nibble on, so if you have a plant you dont mind sharing with your kitties and indulging their opiate-like indulgence (oh boy! haha) youre good to go. Actually, the tendril "baby" growths from which spider plants get their name, come already equipped with a little root system of their own so its really easy to propagate several new spider plants from a large mature one.Tips for growing spider plants HERE.

Silver Vine

Maximum Height: 15 feet

This is one I had never heard of until I started my research, but sounds quite interesting. Like catnip, valerian - and maybe spider plants, as it turns out - silver vine has a harmless, but intoxicating effect on cats thats said to be greater than that of catnip. Note that this is the Actinidia polygama type of silver vine Im talking about and not the common vine "pothos" plants sometimes called silver vine. Pothos plants, while not poisonous will cause a burning sensation in your cats mouth and often vomiting as well should they try and eat them. For this reason, they are not recommended in the homes of cat owners. Actinidia polygama is an entirely different plant related to kiwi and in fact, produces fruit with a pleasant sweet/tart strawberry-like flavor and more vitamin C than oranges (or so I'm told by the internet). Asthey are climbers, most advice regarding its growth deals with an outdoor setup near a fence or trellis. However, internet cat star,Maru, has a silver vine inside his home, and should you have a room with sufficient light, I see no reason why indoor growth wouldnt be possible (and really cool!)Tips for growing silver vine HERE.

Which plants do your cats like most?

Do you have a cat garden at home?

Please share!

Sources:

vetMD: Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

The Humane Society: How Does Your Cat Grass Grow? Plant a Feline Friendly Indoor Garden

LA Times: Garden Full of Cat Food: Edible Plants Can Delight Feline Friends

petMD: Ten Herbs to Improve Your Cat's Health

Christine DeMerchant: Plants that Cats Like

SF Gate: Will Spider Plants Hurt Cats?

What did you think?

23%
YES! 43%
OMG! 9%
EPIC 4%
FAIL 5%
HUH? 7%
CUTE 10%
YUM!

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Feline 101 Series
A blog series by Erin Froehlich.Previously:Study: Cat Ownership Increases a Man's Attractiveness Say Women

37 Comments

Amanda May 14, 2014 at 10:15 AM

I was just thinking about this today, perfect!
Erin Froehlich May 14, 2014 at 10:17 AM

Well, how about that! You'll have to come back and let everyone know what the kitties thought once you get it set up. :)
Minoee December 16, 2014 at 8:01 PM

I would love to know if there's a plant out there which could help my plant loving kitty lower hypertension that is unrelated to any illness! Thanks!
Erin Froehlich December 23, 2014 at 10:42 AM

Hi Minoee!

I did a little research and found the first thing would be to switch to a low or no sodium diet for your cat. Besides that, vitamin C and E have been shown to help lower blood pressure, olive leaf extract was shown to reduce blood pressure and LDL, and a proper balance of omega fatty acids is important.

Here is a olive leaf supplement cats can use that I found: http://www.entirelypets.com/vetri-science-oli-vet.html

Vitamin C can be found naturally in both fruits and vegetables. While cats are notoriously picky, a fair amount of people say their cats like melon, so that may be something to try adding to your cat's diet. ( https://www.smartlivingnetwork.com/pet-eats/b/safe-healthy-people-foods-your-cat-can-eat/ )

As for vitamin E, and omega fatty acids - this would be great for your cat: https://www.vetionx.com/omega-369.php
margie January 26, 2015 at 2:36 AM

Write a commen. Thank you for all the information about plants I can grow that is at safe, I've always wanted to grow plants but was always worried about my cats getting sick , now I have a piecful mind , thank you again, cat lover margie
.
Erin Froehlich January 27, 2015 at 8:05 AM

You're very welcome, Margie! :)
Jenni February 14, 2015 at 4:23 PM

Peppermint plants are toxic for cats! From ASPCA: If ingested, the peppermint plant and its oil could indeed potentially cause harm to your cat. Cats are especially sensitive to peppermint oil, and effects such as gastrointestinal upset, central nervous system depression and even liver damage could occur if ingested in significant quantities. Some peppermint oil formulations also contain aspirin derivatives, which could result in additional toxicity. Furthermore, if inhalation of the volatile oil were to occur, aspiration pneumonia may be possible. Based on this, we would not recommend using peppermint leaves or oil in areas where your cat is allowed access.
Erin Froehlich February 17, 2015 at 9:05 AM

Jenni- I'm glad you brought this up, but I think the key thing here is "if ingested in significant amounts." My cats and the cats of many people I know will nibble peppermint leaves occasionally (though mostly, they just like to rub against them, as with catnip), and they are just fine.

Know your cat and keep an eye on them. Cats are obligate carnivores, so really excessive intake of any sort of plant is not ideal. If you notice your cat is helping themselves to a big serving of any of your plants (especially peppermint), remove the plant and consult a veterinarian. Cats taking in excessive amounts fiber from plants may be suffering from digestive blockages or upset.
Terese April 20, 2015 at 7:00 PM

I am just beginning to set up my Cat Garden. We have en enclosed courtyard where the cats get to roam freely. I have a few plants, I just need to get them in the ground.

Potted up are, Nip - Nepeta cataria; Cat thyme - Teucrium marum [2 of these]; valerian - Valeriana officinalis; and I jsut germinated some Lemon Grass - Cymbopogon. I do have a large Spider Plant in a pot that they enjoy the occasional snack. I'm hoping by Fall I will have a wonderful snacking garden for the kitties.

I did a lot of research, but your article was the best over all.

Thank you!!
Erin Froehlich April 21, 2015 at 11:59 AM

Aww... thank you, Terese. Your garden sounds awesome. Lucky cats! :)
Anne May 29, 2015 at 9:10 PM

Is Luzula Nivea safe for cats to consume
Erin Froehlich June 9, 2015 at 9:44 AM

Hi Anne!

Luzula Nivea is a type of ornamental grass from the "rushes" (juncaceae) family which has been used historically as a floor covering or woven to make mats. It is not on any list of plants poisonous to cats including the extensive guide provided by the ASPCA, so it should be just fine! :)
Ruthie July 19, 2015 at 11:39 PM

Erin, thank you so much for this! I've been doing a ton of research and your article had the most varied list of plants and most useful information. I'm an apartment dweller whose cat (1 of the 2) just discovered "cat grass." I want to set up a small garden for them both...spread the enjoyment...but I don't know what plants to try. The Cat Thyme sounds fun, but I don't want something dead-smelling in my living room :-D. I also need to decide what kind of container or containers to use...fortunately, since I'm indoors, I've got time. Any ideas on how to select plants to give my cats the most enjoyment for the limited space I'll have? Also, any idea if putting a number of different plants in one large container? I and my kitties thank you.
Erin Froehlich July 21, 2015 at 11:12 AM

Ruthie-

So glad you enjoyed it. This was a total labor of love. :)

You're actually asking for something I would have loved to include in this piece if only I had the time! Selecting the plants and arrangement of them really depends on the space you're working in.

1. Obviously, since this is a garden for the cats to enjoy, make sure it's in an area they can access - on the ground, on a deep ledge, or a table with room for both perching cats and folliage.

2. Choose pots that are difficult to tip over - pots that are heavy, or pots with a wide, stable base that can endure cats walking on them or tugging at their contents. It will help to fill them first with stones, and then with dirt both from a drainage stand-point and to make them difficult to move.

3. When selecting plants, consider the light source in your cat-accessible garden area. Some plants require full light while others can handle low light situations. For most though, the more sunlight the better. If the area that works best does not get much sunlight, you'll probably want to invest in grow lights. Once again, choose light fixtures (or locations for your light fixtures) that are difficult fro cats to accidentally tip over.

4. In terms of arranging plants, for the best visual display, organize by height with shorter plants in front of taller plants. For the best light access and health of the plants, shorter plants closer to the light source than the taller plants. Ideally, these two conditions can both be met, but if they run contrary because of the space you are working in, so you'll need to decide where your priorities lay.

For good general tips on indoor plant arranging, I also found these sites which you may find helpful:

http://www.thelovelyplants.com/top-tips-for-arranging-indoor-plants/

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2758270/list/the-secret-formula-for-grouping-plants-in-a-pot
Annie August 19, 2015 at 11:05 AM

My cat got into my thyme that I picked from my plant last night and she's been puking ever since. . so NO Thyme is NOT FOR ALL CATS
Ruthie August 19, 2015 at 12:18 PM

I bought a spider plant for my herbivore, but it's just a baby...and it turns out she's an arachniphile...lol. I've got to get a neighbor to foster "Spidey" for me until it's old enough to survive her snacking on it. When I've taken it away or put it where she had a harder time getting to it, she's cried...I'm so glad I decided to do this, but I'll have to get neighbors to foster my plants until they're old enough to survive the Amazing Mazzy :)
Ruthie August 19, 2015 at 12:21 PM

Annie, all cats, just like all people will have different sensitivities. Chicken may be fine for 99% of cats, but there is that 1% that will have a tough time with it. The same is true of plants like thyme, parsley, the mint family, etc. These plants aren't poisonous to "cats," which doesn't mean a few won't have sensitivities to them...it just means they're safe in general.
Karen October 9, 2015 at 12:50 PM

I love this! My cats LOVE to eat their grass! I first tried oat grass but they love my herbs, too! My female eats the tops of my chives. They also seems to prefer a type of wide leaf grass that grows in the yard (fescue?). But with winter coming I need to have an indoor garden for them. Appreciate the list of safe plants for them to nibble.
Ruthie October 9, 2015 at 1:03 PM

Just a tip to all, I discovered that my local grocery sells wheat grass in the Produce section. It's way cheaper than a pet specialty store (like PS or PC...not naming names...) and you get a whole lot more. This is the same exact stuff they sell there as well. So try your grocer's Produce section. Mine also now sells live herbs, which both of my cats love. They go absolutely bonkers over catmint (nepeta musinii), while they could not have cared less about catnip (nepeta cataria), either fresh, dried, or as a tea.
dan October 26, 2015 at 9:34 AM

after cooking i sonetimes have excess parsely leaves (storebought). can i just wash it then throw them to my cat or must i give him home grown ones?
Ruthie October 26, 2015 at 11:27 AM

The store bought ones should be fine. Just like store bought wheat grass, thyme, basil, etc, you shouldn't have a problem. Parsley is very good for them, and very safe. I hope your cat enjoys it.
jeff December 27, 2015 at 4:50 AM

where can i purchase these cat safe plants online?
T February 15, 2016 at 12:39 PM

Lavender and Lemongrass are toxic per ASPCA. And Jenni that talked about the Peppermint plants being toxic and the reply to that was basically don't let your cat ingest significant amounts. I'm not going to anything out that could potentially harm my cats if ingested.
Erin Froehlich February 16, 2016 at 1:24 PM

T -

Anything, if eaten in sufficient quantities could potentially harm your cats. Even too much water could kill them (or us, for that matter)! HOWEVER, cats (and people) are unlikely to drink enough water to water-intoxicate. They'd feel awful long before they drank to the point that it was dangerous.

Distilled lavender or lemongrass oil is toxic to cats, however, it takes a lot of plant material to make even a very little oil. Most cats simply like rubbing against these plants and just occasionally bite or nibble off a little piece. Cats are unlikely to eat anywhere near a toxic amount of lavender or lemongrass.

If you don't believe me though, here are two articles I've found from vets on the subject:

LAVENDER: "Lavender plants are not toxic to dogs and cats. Any plant, however, if it is eaten, has the potential to cause some mild stomach upset (i.e. cramping, vomiting, diarrhea). For that reason I wouldn't encourage any eating of the plant. But, if a small amount did become ingested I wouldn't worry about it.

Just as an aside, if lavender oil is eaten by an animal it can cause some serious gastrointestinal problems.

But again, the plant is not likely to cause any problems.

Dr. Marie." - http://www.askavetquestion.com/answer_np.php?id=3857-lavender-plant-bad-for-dogs-and-cats

LEMONGRASS:"Q. Dear Dr. Fox - I am responding to your request for cats with unusual tastes for plants. My Ninja is an 8-year-old Maine coon cat. She is black, brave, and loves to sneak up on people. And she loves lemongrass!

She loves to eat it and, when the leaves are trimmed off, she makes a nest of it. George and Pat, our other two cats, also like to nibble on it.

I'm told cats hate citrus, so why do they like lemongrass? I've also been told that lemongrass is safe for cats to eat. Is this true?

A. First, all things in moderation. Sprout some wheatgrass and alfalfa for your cats, as well as catnip, so they can rotation-graze.

Lemongrass has a host of beneficial ingredients that are antibacterial, antifungal, anti-parasitic (nematodes), antiseptic, diuretic, cooling, sedating and helpful with digestion. Lemongrass may also help prevent blood clotting and cancer. Externally (as a strong tea), it will act as an insect repellent and clear up athlete's foot.

Concentrated essence of lemongrass (essential oil) could be harmful to cats, because unlike people and dogs, they lack certain liver enzymes to break down various compounds that, if not eliminated from the body, could prove to be toxic. That is why hydrosols, rather than essential-oil extracts of beneficial herbs, are used for various feline health problems.

So a nibble of lemongrass will not harm your cats, but an intense craving could indicate (rather than cause) some underlying nutritional deficiency or disease such as hyperthyroidism." - http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/cats-really-go-crazy-over-lemongrass/article_ebf0c8c8-5374-5e9c-9382-0fa2b8b2359c.html
Anne February 27, 2016 at 4:43 PM

I'm about to start an indoor herb garden and was focused on herbs for cooking until I read this. Now my ideas have expanded to possible herbs for our two indoor feline overlords. Your information is very helpful and well presented. Thanks!
Maria Caterina March 17, 2016 at 4:50 AM

I am SO VERY HAPPY that I found this blog!! Thank you Erin for the extensive list of edible, as well as fun plants that are safe for cats. I read all the comments and was pleased with the exchange of info back and forth, all well researched and thorough. I shall invest in a "playgarden" for my cat and my mom's starting with a spider plant since hers showed no significant interest in the catnip or the oat/wheat grass purchased at a commercial store ; by the way, is Ponytail palm toxic? because both mom's Mia and my Lola love to nibble on it... Once again, thank you :-))
Audi June 7, 2016 at 10:52 AM

Glad to have found this! I'll be starting a garden up for my Siamese... how do I keep them from peeing or pooping in the garden? Any tips?
Mary July 22, 2016 at 4:54 PM

Uhm, you're going to want to watch that list. While calendula officianalis is indeed a non-toxic herb (at least to humans) the more colorful, bountiful, varied french marigolds that are what we find in garden centers is actually quite toxic to both humans and pets.
Pam March 26, 2017 at 2:25 PM

Hi, I have two Persian house cats, my husband made a cat enclosure over my kitchen window, as I think they should get fresh air and sit outside in safety . And I want to put cat friendly plants in there for them to nibble or even sit on , so thanks for your ideas,rnPam
Judy April 1, 2017 at 11:03 PM

We have an outside catio with 18 cats. We have planted catnip, mint, marigolds and cat grass each spring for 3 years, but after seeing your post, I have decided to add some rosemary and thyme to the list. Thank you for sharing such good information!
Dan July 5, 2017 at 5:19 PM

Grear article! I have been thinking about doing a cat garden for my 2 furbabies that are indoor only cats. My question has to do with the dirt. So much purchased dirt has a lot of added fertilizer in it. What do you recommend so that I'm not possibly giving my cats chemicals?
Mc July 12, 2017 at 10:38 PM

Mary- Only certain kinds of marigolds are poisonous. Even the most common marigold, the pot marigold is not listed as being poisons. Best to read more than one source. Especially since most strands of marigold only cause mild skin irritation that can be combated with a simple bath.
Tina November 2, 2017 at 2:21 AM

Thanks for posting this. I was just reading a post on natural ways to get rid of creepy crawlers like millipedes and spiders and mint was suggested. Of course I have a cat who seems to think she needs to eat plants like my lone aloe plant (!) which is the only plant left for me. I will definitely look into this more. In the meantime my research says millipedes don't like Tea Tree so I'll try that.
kelli April 27, 2018 at 10:48 AM

The ASPCA says that Lavender is toxic to cats.rnhttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavender
lori March 15 at 7:35 PM

mint and lavendar are toxic to cats rnhttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/mintrnhttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/lavenderrn
Hanna April 28 at 3:40 AM

According to the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center:rnrnLemongrass is considered toxic and causes stomach upset in dogs and catsrnMint is considered toxic and causes vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and catsrnParsley is considered toxic and causes skin irritation in dogs and catsrnLavender is considered toxic and causes nausea, vomiting and inappetence in dogs and catsrnrnLevels of toxicity differ depending on the amount of ingestion or exposure, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially since we can’t always control what our furbabies are getting into or eating when we aren’t looking. I usually check and double check if things are safe and if there’s any doubt or any source that says something isn’t safe I don’t even bother. It’s our job to make sure our pets are happy and healthy and well taken care of.rn rnhttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plantsrnhttps://www.petmd.com/cat/emergency/poisoning-toxicity/rnhttps://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-plants-poisonous-to-pets/
Kate May 2 at 12:31 AM

Plants from the onion & garlic family are toxic to cats and could even kill them. They contain compounds that break down red blood cells (hemolysis), reduce oxygen in the body, and quickly cause anemia or even death. The family includes both grocery & garden plants such as sweet onions, shallots, chives (despite what an earlier commenter said), leeks, and flowering alliums. Garlic is 5x as toxic as onions and powdered/dried forms are more potent than fresh BUT they're all dangerous, especially to old or sick cats. That means that not only do you have to be careful what you plant in your garden but also what is in the human food your cat has access to (stews, broths, Thanksgiving leftovers, etc). rnrnHere is a really good overview that was written by a toxicologist: https://thepetauthority.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/how-much-onion-or-garlic-is-toxic-to-pets/