Plants Make Great Catio Additions

Customize Catios With Plants

Custom Catios builds beautiful cat enclosures. That said, once we complete a job, we hope homeowners will take our creations to the next level by adding cat beds and hammocks, signs (“No Dogs Allowed!”), toys, bird feeders (approximately 10-15 away), and plants. Especially plants!

For example, Debbie in Mount Washington planted Asparagus Fern, variegated Cast Iron Plant, Parlor Palm, Christmas Cactus, and Japanese Forest Grass (see photo). “Adding a plant or two that moves with the breeze is a must,” she says.

Ashley in Tarzana, whose enclosure was built on top of a planter, regularly plants cat grass seed from Pet Food Express (see photo below).

Visit ASPCA Website for Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Before doing anything, however, please check the ASPCA website which lists all toxic and non-toxic plants to cats. And please avoid these 17 plants which are poisonous to pets:

  1. Lilies
  2. Marijuana (be careful with all the legalization sweeping the country)
  3. Sago Palm
  4. Tulip
  5. Narcissus Bulbs
  6. Oleander
  7. Castor Bean
  8. Cyclamen
  9. Kalanchoe
  10. Yew
  11. Amaryllis
  12. Autumn Crocus
  13. Chrysanthemum
  14. English Ivy
  15. Peace Lily
  16. Pothos
  17. Schefflera

Plants Cats Love

Christine DeMerchant writes over at Dirt On My Hands that cats like Catnip, Valerian, Cat Thyme, Cat Grass, Spider Plants, Honeysuckle, and Silver Vine. Also see her post on cat gardens.

Cynthia, who owns Catio Spaces, which we often recommend to folks in the Pacific Northwest or for those looking for DIY plans, recommends Wheatgrass, Catnip, Cat Grass, Creeping Zinnias, Marigolds, Impatiens, Asparagus Fern, Thyme, and Rosemary.

Chirpy Cats explains how to create a cat safe garden which includes some great insight into planting Kiwi Vine and Giant Sunflowers outside of enclosures. Inside she prefers Catnip, Lemongrass, Spider Plants, and Ornamental Grasses.

Other Recommendations and Examples?

Do you have other recommendations or examples of plants in catios? Please send them along and I will add them to this post. Thanks!

UPDATE: Check out 29 house plants that are safe for cats at Kitty Insight. The Cat Mom also has a valuable article on the subject.

Cat in cat grass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White cat enjoying catio plants

2 thoughts on “Plants Make Great Catio Additions”

  1. Wonderful article! Thank you 🙂 Can you recommend plants for my Catio? I have an area about 5×10 feet and two kitties!We live in Williamsburg VA so the climate is tricky towards the late Fall and winter.

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