Houseplant Cat Deterrents Protecting Houseplants From Cats

Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the leaves of houseplants and your cat will back away pretty quickly. Cats also hate the smell of citrus. Put orange and lemon peels in your pots along with the plants to help deter them. Another option is spraying the leaves directly with diluted lemon juice or orange oil.

What can I put in my potted plants to keep cats out?

1. Make Your Plant Unappealing. Cats have a strong distaste for anything citrus. Using either juice of a lemon, lime, or orange diluted with some water can be sprayed on the leaves of your plant to ward off any feline invasion.

How do you deter cats from eating houseplants?

Utilize chili powder. If you have a plant in your home that isn't toxic but your cat never seems to leave it alone, a good way to keep him or her away is by sprinkling chili powder on the leaves. Lightly dust the plant with the spice and you'll soon notice that your cat will avoid it altogether.

How do I stop my cat from using potted plants as litter box?

To keep your indoor garden out of access to your cat, here are some tactics to consider:

Layer the soil surfaces with objects not appealing to cats, such as rough-edged decorative rock or prickly pinecones.
Put double-sided sticky tape around the top of the pot to prevent your cat from hopping in to dig. ...
Look up.

What indoor plants do cats hate?

Rosemary – Most cats hate it, but felines are unpredictable. Some may actually love it. Coleus canina – This attractive plant, also known as scaredy-cat plant, can be grown indoors or outdoors. Lemon balm – Cats don't like the citrusy aroma or the rough texture of the foliage.

Can I put cayenne pepper on my plants?

Cayenne pepper is nontoxic and shouldn't affect most types of plants, but it's best to try it out on a few leaves before spraying an entire plant. For edible plants, wash them well before you eat them -- otherwise the pepper will remain on them, giving you an unwanted spicy surprise.

Will diluted lemon juice hurt plants?

Lemon juice exemplifies this ideal, being a liquid that can help your plants or harm them, depending on how it's used. Adding small amounts of lemon juice to the soil makes the soil more acidic, altering the pH, but pouring it over the plant's leaves can burn them and kill the plant.

Why do cats eat plants and then throw up?

After your cat has eaten your plants, even those plants that are non-toxic to cats, you may find that she later throws up. ... Cats' systems are unable to digest all of the plant; therefore, they throw up to rid their bodies of the undigested part.

What plants kill cats?

Here's the ASPCA's list of the 17 top toxic plants to steer your kitty away from.

Lilies. Members of the Lilium species are considered highly toxic to cats. ...
Marijuana. ...
Sago palm. ...
Tulip/narcissus bulbs. ...
Azalea/rhododendron. ...
Oleander. ...
Castor bean. ...
Cyclamen.

Is Spider plant toxic to cats?

Also known as ribbon plant or airplane plant, the spider plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs and will tolerate a wide range of light, moisture, and soil conditions.

Why is my cat suddenly peeing in my plants?

Why Is My Litter Boxed Trained House Cat Suddenly Peeing In My House Plants? You know cats; they pretty much teach themselves where to go to the bathroom. ... It is a good idea to show them where you have located it in the first place, but generally cats want to use their litter box to do their business.

Will cat pee kill my plants?

Cat Pee can Kill Plants in High Amounts

It contains minerals that aren't bad for your plant but, in excess, can harm plants the same as fertilizer burn. If the roots are burnt too badly, the plant may not be able to recover.

Why do cats sit in plant pots?

One of the reasons that cats find comfort in extra small spaces is because of instinct. They can hide from predators and feel safer in a flowerpot than on a large couch or bed. It feels good knowing that they have walls around them and can touch each of those walls with their bodies.

Can I have plants with cats?

Give your feline friends their own cat grass, catnip, edible foliage or wheat grass! Place this close to your (non toxic) plants at ground level, so that they have easy access (before they reach your expensive houseplants). ... A happy and tired cat will leave your plants alone.

How do I stop my cat from destroying my plants?

How to Keep Your Pets from Destroying Your Plants

Give Your Pets Safe Toys. Plants offer everything a toy does: Something to chew on, bat at, or otherwise use to occupy time. ...
Spray Plants with Diluted Lemon Juice. ...
Make Sure Your Pets Get Enough Exercise. ...
Use Positive Reinforcement with Your Pets.

What smells do cats hate?

Surprising smells cats hate

Citrus: orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. Citrus smells are widely reported as being repugnant to cats. ...
Lavender, geranium, and eucalyptus. ...
Rosemary, thyme, and rue. ...
Banana and mustard. ...
Pepper, curry, and cinnamon. ...
Mint, wintergreen, and menthol. ...
Pine and cedar. ...
Dirty litter box.

Does cayenne pepper kill spider mites?

Capsaicin, the active chemical in cayenne pepper that makes the pepper spicy and hot, is one such alternative. Cayenne works well against insects that feed on plant tissue, such as spider mites, helping to kill any existing mites while deterring future mites from visiting the area.

Does cayenne pepper repel bugs?

Repel bugs and animals with cayenne pepper inside and outside your home. Cayenne pepper is a good cheap repellent outside for furry critters, but also works in the garage, in the flower pots or inside the house to keep bugs away.

How do you make cayenne pepper spray for plants?

Use cayenne pepper-based hot sauce at a rate of about one part hot sauce per 16 parts water. This proportion works out to about 1 ounce of hot sauce per 2 cups of water, or 8 ounces of hot sauce per 1 gallon of water.

Can I water my plants with lemon water?

Watering with pure lemon juice will not only kill your plant almost immediately, it won't accurately show the effects of acid rain. A mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice to 2 cups water should do the trick. The gasses in acid rain aren't very concentrated most of the time; your lemon water shouldn't be either.

Can I spray my plants with lemon juice?

Lemon juice is a natural weed killer. Cover weeds in the juice and they'll shrivel away within a few days. Just be careful: Lemon juice will actually kill any plant, so make sure you're not accidentally spraying your flowers or lawn.

Can I spray vinegar on my houseplants?

The short answer is no, you can't safely spray vinegar on your houseplants. It will dry out the leaves and will give the plant a really hard time to recover. Furthermore, if the vinegar gets in the soil, it will kill the plant altogether.