If you are looking to spruce up your Catio and have a green thumb, here’s a list of 9 cat-safe, non-toxic plants!
Adding plants to your Catio allows cats to tap into natural instincts and offers enrichment! If your cats love munching your plants, consider planting some for them!
Many of these plants can be grown directly in the soil, but if your Catio has solid flooring, opt for large planters and hanging baskets! Switch the types of planters up, so your cat has variation in height and location!
CATIO HERB GARDEN
Why It’s Great:
No list of cat-friendly plants is complete without catnip. This herb is famous for its ability to make cats go wild—rolling, rubbing, and sometimes even zooming around with joy. The active compound, nepetalactone, triggers a playful and euphoric response in many cats.
Tips from The Catio Company:
Catnip thrives in well-drained soil and needs full sun.
Pinch back the stems to encourage bushy growth.
Consider placing catnip in a hanging planter or elevated spot to give your cats a bit of exercise as they reach for it.
Bugs: deters flies, mosquitoes, whitefly, FLEAS & TICKS
Tips from The Catio Company: If your cat loves to sink its teeth into plants, basil is a great option! It can reach heights of 2-3 feet, spreading 6.5 ft wide. If planted in a location that allows it, your cat may also make this plant a napping spot. Plant it around the perimeter of your Catio to keep fleas and ticks at bay!
Bugs: deters spider mites, squash bugs, aphids
Tips from The Catio Company: dill can reach 3-5 ft tall, and 2-3 ft wide. This herb may offer some benefits to your cat, but above else, they will enjoy some good sniffs!
Bugs: deters mosquitoes, gnats, flies, ants, FLEAS & TICKS
Tips from The Catio Company: most insects will avoid this herb making it a great addition to your Catio! Not a large plant, sitting at 1-2 ft tall & wide, it is an easy plant to add.
Bugs: deters aphids, spider mites, FLEAS & TICKS
Tips from The Catio Company: plant this small 1-2 ft tall, and 1-1.5 ft wide herb around the perimeter of your catio. Your cat will love its distinct scent, and chewy leaves!
DECORATIVE PLANTS - SAFE PLANTS FOR CATS
Why It’s Great:
Cat grass is a popular choice for catios because it’s safe, easy to grow, and cats absolutely love it. It’s actually a blend of grasses like wheat, oat, and barley, which are harmless to cats and offer a natural source of fiber. You’ll often find your cats munching on cat grass to help with digestion or just because they enjoy the taste.
Tips from The Catio Company: Place in a sunny spot within the catio. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Rotate pots or trays to ensure even growth if you have multiple cats enjoying the grass.
Tips from The Catio Company: your cat may mistake the flowers on this plant for bright orange goldfish and give them a nibble! The branches can reach up to 3 ft long. Draping from a hanging basket will allow your cat to swat the “fish”, and hide behind the branches.
Tips from The Catio Company: battable plantlets shoot from the mother plant may be left hanging or replanted to create a ground cover. The crunchy leaves can reach 1 ft in length, and around 2 ft in width.
Nasturtium - Tropaeolum "Jewel Mix"
Bugs: deters whiteflies, squash bugs, & potato bugs.
Tips from The Catio Company: The medium-sized, semi-trailing varieties grow 2-3 ft long, best for hanging baskets, or tall potters, offering your cat a place to hide behind the vines. The large climbing variety, can get to 12 ft tall, and will surround a pole or parts of the Catio enclosure fence, providing shade.
Remember: plants ingested in high quantities may cause gastrointestinal issues. Monitor your cats, refer to the ASPCA’s Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List, and get creative with your space! Keep in mind that soil and different plant nutrients for growing can be harmful to cats. Always be sure to do your research and ask questions at plant nurseries if you are concerned.
Ready to Build Your Own Catio? Explore Our DIY Catio Plans
Each downloadable PDF contains easy-to-follow instructions, complete tool, cut and material lists, clear diagrams, and practical tips to help you efficiently build a secure outdoor space for your cats.
With endless catio ideas floating around (Pinterest, Youtube, TikTok, etc.), you can tailor the design to fit your space and budget. From repurposed materials to creative hacks, the possibilities are endless! And adding plants to it, following directions and suggestions from this article can only make it better, the perfect safe and entertaining outdoor space for our cats!