Plants That Repel Cats

If you love gardening but find cats treating your flowerbeds like a personal playground, you’re not alone. Finding plants that repel cats is a natural and effective way to protect your garden. These special plants use strong scents or textures that cats find unpleasant, creating a gentle barrier without causing harm. This guide will help you choose the right ones and use them strategically.

You can create a beautiful space that both you and local wildlife can enjoy, just with fewer feline visitors. It’s a win for your plants and for the cats, who will simply find a more suitable place to roam.

This list focuses on reliable, easy-to-grow plants known for their cat-deterring properties. Remember, every cat is an individual, so results can vary. Planting a combination is often the best strategy.

Strongly Scented Herbs

Cats have a powerful sense of smell. Many aromatic herbs we enjoy are overwhelming to them. These herbs are also fantastic for your kitchen.

Rosemary: This tough, woody herb has a pungent scent. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it perfect for sunny borders or pots.
Lavender: Its calming fragrance for us is a strong deterrent for cats. Plant it in a sunny spot; it also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Lemon Thyme: The strong citrus aroma makes this a great choice. It forms a low, spreading mat that can edge garden beds nicely.
Curry Plant: Not to be confused with the curry tree, this silvery-gray plant releases a strong curry scent when touched, which cats tend to avoid.

Plants with Prickly or Rough Textures

Cats prefer soft, loose soil for digging and comfortable spots for lounging. Plants that are spiky or uncomfortable to walk on can be very effective.

Rue: Often called “the herb-of-grace,” rue has a bitter smell and can cause mild skin irritation, so wear gloves when handling it. Cats generally give it a wide berth.
Common Holly: The sharp, prickly leaves of holly bushes make them an excellent physical barrier. Plant them under windows or around sensitive garden areas.
Berkheya purpurea: This striking perennial has spiny, thistle-like leaves and stems. Its bold texture is beautiful but very uninviting for cats to navigate.

Other Effective Deterrent Plants

Some plants don’t fit neatly into the above categories but are famously disliked by cats.

Coleus Canina: Also known as the “Scaredy Cat Plant,” this is often marketed specifically as a cat repellent. It has a faint skunk-like odor when brushed against.
Pennyroyal: A member of the mint family with a very strong menthol scent. Note: Pennyroyal is toxic if ingested in large quantities, so use caution if you have pets that might eat plants.
Citronella (Lemon Grass): Known for repelling mosquitos, its strong citrus smell is also disliked by many cats. It grows well in pots and can be brought indoors in colder climates.

How to Use These Plants in Your Garden

Simply planting one deterrent plant might not be enough. Here’s how to build an effective strategy.

Create Protective Borders

Plant a dense border of repellent plants around the perimeter of your garden or around specific vulnerable beds. Use a mix of tall plants like lavender and low, spreading ones like lemon thyme for full coverage.

Guard Specific Areas

Is there a particular spot cats keep targeting, like a favorite vegetable patch or a sandy children’s play area? Surround it with prickly holly or strongly-scented rosemary. Interplant repellent herbs among your other flowers and vegetables.

Use Containers Strategically

Pots and containers offer flexibility. Place pots of coleus canina or citronella near doorways, around patio furniture, or next to garden seating areas where cats might jump up. You can move them as needed.

Combine with Other Natural Methods

For best results, combine your plants with other humane deterrents. Cats dislike the feel of certain textures underfoot.

Lay down prickly mulch like pine cones, holly leaves, or stone chips in bare soil areas.
Install low, unobtrusive plastic spike strips (designed for birds and cats) in problem spots.
Motion-activated sprinklers can provide a surprising but harmless deterrent in key zones.

Plants to Avoid If You Want to Deter Cats

Just as some plants repel cats, others actively attract them. Knowing which ones to avoid can be just as important.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria): This is the most obvious one. It induces a euphoric reaction in many cats, drawing them from miles around.
Catmint (Nepeta mussinii): A close relative of catnip, it has a similar, though usually milder, attractive effect on felines.
Valerian: Another plant that can have a stimulating effect on cats, similar to catnip.
Wheatgrass or Barley Grass: Often grown as “cat grass,” these tender grasses are very appealing for cats to nibble on.

Step-by-Step: Building a Cat-Repellent Garden Bed

Let’s put this all together. Follow these steps to redesign a bed that cats frequently visit.

Clear the Area: Remove any existing plants you don’t want and clear away debris.
Prepare the Soil: Add some compost to improve drainage and fertility. Most deterrent herbs prefer soil that isn’t too rich or wet.
Plan Your Layout: Place taller plants like rosemary or lavender at the back or center. Put lower, spreading plants like thyme or coleus at the edges. Consider adding a few prickly berkhaya plants for texture.
Plant Densely: Plant your chosen deterrents close together to leave less inviting open soil. Fill any immediate gaps with a layer of prickly mulch.
Water and Maintain: Water the new plants well until they are established. Prune herbs regularly to encourage bushy growth, which releases more scent.

Safety and Considerations

Your goal is to deter, not harm. Always prioritize safety for cats, wildlife, and your own family.

Research any plant’s toxicity if you have pets that are prone to chewing on greenery. While the scents repel, ingestion could sometimes be a problem.
Avoid using any chemical repellents or mothballs in your garden, as these can be poisonous to cats, wildlife, and the environment.
Be patient. It may take a little time for plants to grow in and for cats to learn the new, less inviting layout of your garden.

FAQ

What is the most effective plant to keep cats away?
Many gardeners find rosemary and lavender to be among the most reliable due to their strong, persistent scent and ease of growth. The “Scaredy Cat Plant” (Coleus Canina) is also bred specifically for this purpose.

Do cat repellent plants really work?
They can be very effective, especially when used as part of a layered strategy. Combining several different types of deterrent plants with physical barriers like prickly mulch increases your chances of success significantly.

Are there any plants that deter cats but are safe for dogs?
Many of the herbs listed, like rosemary, lavender, and lemon thyme, are generally safe for dogs in the amounts found in a garden setting. However, always monitor your own pets and consult your vet if you have concerns about a specific plant.

What smells do cats hate the most?
Cats typically dislike strong citrus, menthol, and herbal smells like rue and lavender. This is why plants with those scents form the basis of natural cat repellent strategies.

How can I stop cats from pooping in my garden naturally?
Using the plants listed here is a great start. Additionally, covering bare soil with uncomfortable mulch (pine cones, stone chippings) and keeping the soil lightly moist (cats prefer dry, loose dirt) can discourage this behavior. Consistency is key—you need to make your garden a less appealing option than other nearby areas.

Creating a garden with plants that repel cats allows you to enjoy your outdoor space in peace. It’s a natural, chemical-free approach that benefits your plants, local ecosystems, and the cats themselves. With careful planning and a bit of patience, you can cultivate a beautiful, thriving garden that respectfully asks feline visitors to please play elsewhere. Remember to enjoy the process and the added bonus of fresh herbs for your kitchen.