Seamus Hammond
Many plants can act as natural cat repellents, deterring them from gardens and flower beds. Some of the most popular plants include lavender, rosemary, lemon thyme, oregano, citronella, and Coleus Canina. These plants emit powerful fragrances that are overwhelming to cats, who have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. For example, lavender contains the compound linalool, which is usually found in insect repellents. Other cat-repelling plants include eucalyptus, geranium, and pennyroyal, which is the smallest plant in the mint family.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Flowers that repel cats | Lavender, Pennyroyal, Coleus Canina, Lemon Thyme, Lesser Periwinkle, Lily of the Valley, Gaultheria, Rosemary, Oregano, Citronella, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Mint, Spearmint, Peppermint, Pudding Grass, Curry Herb Plant, Scaredy Cat Plant |
| Other cat repellents | Orange peels, Lemon peels, Chicken wire, Thorny plants like roses, pyracantha, or perennial geraniums, Mustard seeds, Vinegar, Catnip |
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What You'll Learn
Lavender, rosemary, and other herbs
Cats have a powerful sense of smell, and anything that emits a strong scent will deter them from approaching your garden. Lavender, rosemary, and other herbs are great examples of plants with strong fragrances that cats dislike.
Lavender
Lavender is a popular ornamental plant with attractive purple flowers and a sweet, fresh smell. It is this strong, fresh fragrance that will help drive cats away. Lavender can be grown in almost any part of your garden, including borders, herb gardens, and containers, so you can plant it exactly where cats frequent to deter them. In addition to being a cat repellent, lavender is also excellent for repelling flies, as the strong-smelling oils this plant emits put off pests.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a classic type of sage with a lovely aroma that is often used in various dishes. However, its strong fragrance is one of the smells that cats hate. Rosemary is an evergreen plant, making it one of the best options for deterring cats year-round. It prefers a sunny spot with well-draining soil, and you can also grow it in containers.
Other Herbs
Besides lavender and rosemary, there are several other herbs that cats dislike due to their strong scents. These include:
- Rue: Cats find the scent of rue offensive, but it has a lovely blue foliage that is pleasant to humans. However, rue leaves are toxic to cats and humans if consumed in large doses, so caution is advised when planting it in your garden.
- Pennyroyal: This herb, a member of the mint family, has a strong spearmint smell that is appealing to humans but off-putting to cats. Pennyroyal oil is highly toxic, so it should not be consumed.
- Curry herb plant: This plant, native to the Mediterranean, has a strong curry-like fragrance that acts as a natural cat repellent. It thrives in sunny, well-drained locations and can grow up to 24 inches tall.
- Lemon thyme: With its high essential oil content, lemon thyme emits a strong lemon scent that is refreshing to humans but can be overwhelming to cats due to their sensitive sense of smell.
In addition to these herbs, cats also tend to dislike the smell of peppermint, eucalyptus, and other herbs with strong fragrances. These scents can be used as natural cat repellents by planting the herbs, using essential oils, or placing herb sprigs or dried leaves in areas you want to keep cat-free.
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Coleus Canina and other plants with skunk-like smells
Coleus Canina, also known as the scaredy-cat plant, is a member of the mint family. It is a tender perennial plant with square stems and leaves arranged in pairs opposite one another. The plant's leaves and stems, when brushed or broken, release a strong odour that resembles either tomcat urine or skunk spray. This distinctive skunk-like smell is said to repel cats, dogs, rabbits, and other small mammals that might enter your garden and eat your plants. However, there is little hard evidence that Coleus Canina is an effective cat repellent.
Coleus Canina is native to the dry climates of Eastern Africa and South Africa and is therefore drought-tolerant. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil, from sandy to fertile. The plant produces small spikes of flowers in shades of lavender, typically in spring and early summer. While the flowers are not particularly showy, the plant itself is quite stinky, and you may want to pinch off the blooms to encourage more foliage growth.
In addition to Coleus Canina, there are other plants with skunk-like smells that are said to repel cats. For example, the Curry Herb Plant, native to the Mediterranean, has a strong, pungent odour that acts as a natural cat repellent. It blooms in the summer, producing small, yellow flowers. Lemon Thyme is another plant with a strong lemon scent that can be repelling to cats. It has pretty pink or purple flowers and grows well in well-drained soil and full sun or partial shade.
Other plants that cats tend to dislike include Lavender, Rosemary, Catnip, Oregano, Citronella, and ground-cover plants such as Roses, Pyracantha, and Perennial Geraniums. These plants can help create a feline-friendly garden by deterring cats through their powerful scents.
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Citrus fruits and peels
Citrus peels, such as those from oranges, lemons, and limes, are particularly effective in repelling cats due to the potent oils they contain. Placing citrus peels directly in the soil around plants or in areas where cats frequent can help deter them from entering. The peels can also be used to create a natural citrus spray by infusing water or alcohol with the peel and applying it to plant leaves, stems, and other surfaces. This spray can be used indoors and outdoors to create a cat-free zone.
To make a DIY citrus spray, one can follow a simple recipe: boil water, add the peels, and let the mixture simmer for about 20 minutes. After cooling, strain the mixture, add lemon juice, and a few drops of dish soap to create an effective cat repellent spray. Regularly refreshing the peels and spray is essential to maintain potency over time.
While citrus peels are an excellent natural repellent, they may not work for all cats, and some felines may not respond to citrus-based deterrents. Additionally, citrus peels can attract bugs if used indoors and may be considered unsightly in a well-maintained garden. Combining citrus peels with other deterrents, such as strong-smelling herbs or coffee grounds, can enhance their overall effectiveness in keeping cats at bay.
Citrus fruits themselves are considered edible for cats, although most may not be interested in consuming them. However, the skins and plant material of citrus fruits can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or dermatitis in cats if ingested. Therefore, while citrus fruits and peels can be used as a repellent, it is important to be mindful of the potential health risks if a cat comes into direct contact with or ingests these items.
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Pennyroyal and other flowers with mint-related odors
Mint is one of the most common smells that cats hate, and pennyroyal, a member of the mint family, emits a strong spearmint or herbal mint odor that is sure to repel cats. Pennyroyal is a creeping plant that tends to spread quickly and send up little 6-inch lilac flower stalks. It is best to start growing pennyroyal indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, providing 70-75-degree soil temperatures, and then transplanting 12-15 inches apart.
Other flowers with mint-related odors that can repel cats include:
- Coleus Canina
- Lavender
- Lemon Thyme
- Citronella
- Curry Herb Plant
- Rosemary
- Rue
Citrus odors are also known to repel cats, so plants like lemon thyme, oregano, and citronella can also be effective. Additionally, you can try sprinkling orange or lemon peels around the garden bed, or using a natural cat repellent spray made from vinegar and water.
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Lemon thyme, oregano, and citronella
Lemon thyme, scientifically known as *Thymus x citriodorus*, is a hardy, drought-resistant plant characterised by its citrusy aroma. It is a fragrant and functional addition to any garden, with pretty pink or purple flowers and a lemony flavour prized in culinary circles. Lemon thyme thrives in well-drained soil and full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. It usually grows up to 10-12 inches tall and spreads around 12 inches wide, making it a good ground cover plant.
Oregano, or *Origanum vulgare*, is a fragrant herb commonly used in various cuisines worldwide. Its pungent scent is repulsive to cats due to the presence of carvacrol, a natural chemical compound that irritates their respiratory system. Oregano is easy to grow and can thrive in different soil types and conditions.
Citronella, also known as lemongrass, is a versatile plant that serves as a natural insect repellent and cat deterrent. Its strong citrusy scent, derived from the essential oil extracted from the plant, is usually pleasant to humans but disliked by cats. Citronella plants are easy to grow and can be planted directly in the ground or in pots.
To utilise these plants as cat repellents, you can incorporate them into your garden or use their essential oils to create a natural repellent spray. Alternatively, you can sprinkle dried and powdered citrus peels, such as lemon or orange, in various areas of your garden, as cats are deterred by the scent of citrus.
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Frequently asked questions
Flowers that act as a cat repellent include lavender, pennyroyal, and the curry herb plant.
In addition to flowers, plants that repel cats include rosemary, lemon thyme, oregano, citronella, and Coleus Canina.
Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans. Strong fragrances that are pleasant to humans can be overwhelming to cats and deter them from entering your garden.
Yes, you can also use a natural cat repellent spray made from vinegar and water or install a motion-activated sprinkler that will spray water when it detects movement.
