Using plants is a practical strategy for managing feline behavior, especially when protecting garden beds or keeping cats away from certain areas. This approach leverages a cat’s highly developed sense of smell, which is significantly more sensitive than a human’s. Cats are naturally averse to strong, pungent, or citrus-based aromas. Plants act as a natural, scent-based deterrent, providing a non-harmful barrier that encourages cats to choose different paths.
Specific Plants That Deter Cats
Cats are often repelled by plants containing potent volatile oils or those with an uncomfortable physical texture. Lavender is a common deterrent due to its strong floral scent, specifically containing the compounds linalool and linalyl acetate, which felines find unpleasant. Planting dense clusters of lavender can create an aromatic barrier that signals an area is unwelcoming.
Rosemary, a familiar culinary herb, serves as an effective repellent because of its strong, sharp herbal aroma. Its stiff, needle-like foliage adds a mild textural element that cats dislike walking on. Lemongrass, with its distinctly sharp, citrusy scent, is widely avoided by cats who are naturally averse to the d-limonene found in citrus plants.
The plant known as Rue (Ruta graveolens) is particularly effective due to its very strong, spicy-musky scent, which is off-putting to felines. The “Scaredy Cat Plant” (Coleus canina) releases an unpleasant odor when its leaves are brushed or crushed. Curry Plant (Helichrysum italicum) combines a powerful, savory fragrance with a coarse, furry texture that cats find unappealing to their paws.
Safety First: Checking Toxicity of Repellent Plants
When choosing deterrent plants, it is important to distinguish between a plant that repels a cat and one that is safe if accidentally ingested. A plant’s strong scent may deter a cat from approaching, yet its chemical compounds could still be toxic if a curious feline decides to nibble on it. Before planting any botanical deterrent, cross-reference it with reliable resources like the ASPCA’s toxic plant list.
Some effective repellent plants are also toxic if consumed, requiring careful consideration, especially for house cats or persistent chewers. Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, which can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested. The ASPCA lists the entire Coleus genus, including Coleus canina, as toxic to cats. Lemongrass is also listed as toxic due to essential oils that can cause stomach upset.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) is a potent deterrent, but it contains pulegone, which is highly toxic to cats and can cause liver damage, making its use controversial. Rosemary is listed as non-toxic in its plant form, though large amounts can still cause mild gastrointestinal distress. Even if a plant’s scent successfully repels a cat, the risk of accidental ingestion means toxic varieties should be placed away from areas where cats might sit or rub.
Maximizing Plant Placement for Deterrence
Effective placement of repellent plants is just as important as the selection of the plants themselves, requiring a strategic approach to maximize their sensory impact. Instead of scattering single plants, grouping them in dense clusters or linear borders creates a concentrated aromatic zone that acts as a solid, unmistakable barrier. A concentrated planting along the perimeter of a vegetable patch or flower bed is much more effective than a few isolated pots.
Strategic positioning should target areas where cats frequently enter the property, dig, or eliminate waste. Placing potent deterrents near fence lines, under windows, or at the edges of vulnerable garden soil intercepts the cat’s path before it reaches the desired area. For indoor use, placing pots of pungent herbs on windowsills or mantels discourages cats from jumping onto those surfaces.
The maintenance of the plants plays a role in sustaining their effectiveness, particularly with scent-based deterrents. Regularly pruning or gently crushing leaves of plants like Rue or Rosemary helps release volatile oils into the air, renewing the repellent aroma. A healthy, robust plant naturally emits a stronger scent than a stressed or dormant one, making proper care a component of the strategy.
The efficacy of the plants can also be amplified by combining their placement with non-plant-based sensory deterrents. For example, planting a dense, aromatic border and then covering the exposed soil with coarse mulch, pinecones, or decorative gravel creates a double barrier. This combination of strong scent and uncomfortable texture discourages both approach and digging, providing a comprehensive, humane solution to managing feline traffic.