Introduction

Cats are wonderful pets, but they can be a downright nuisance to gardeners – especially those who enjoy outdoor potted plants. Cats love to dig, scratch, and jump into potted plants, causing damage to both the plants and the soil. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to keep cats out of outdoor potted plants without harming our feline friends.

Use physical barriers

One of the easiest ways to keep cats out of outdoor potted plants is to create physical barriers. You can do this by placing rocks, pine cones, or chicken wire around the base of the plants. Alternatively, you can place upside-down plastic carpet runners on top of the soil. The nubs on the bottom of the runners will deter cats from landing on them, and the runners will prevent digging in the plants.

Add textures to the soil

Cats love to dig in soft soil, so you can make the soil in your outdoor potted plants less appealing to them by adding textures. Try placing large pine cones on top of the soil or burying plastic forks or chopsticks upside down in the soil. The rough textures will make it difficult or uncomfortable for cats to dig, and they will likely move on to other spots in the garden.

Use scent deterrents

Cats have a strong sense of smell, and you can use this to your advantage by adding scent deterrents to your outdoor potted plants. Citrus, lavender, eucalyptus, and rosemary are all scents that cats tend to dislike. You can add a few drops of essential oils to the soil or plant sprigs of these plants near the pots. Alternatively, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper or coffee grounds on top of the soil – both of these scents are unpleasant to cats and will deter them from digging in the plants.

Provide an alternative

Cats love to scratch and dig, so providing an alternative scratching post or digging spot can keep them away from your outdoor potted plants. You can create a small patch of loose soil in your garden for your cat to dig in or purchase a scratching post for them to use. If your cat is prone to jumping into the pots, place a comfortable, sturdy cat bed nearby – they may be inclined to nap in the bed rather than the plants!

Conclusion

Keeping cats out of outdoor potted plants may require a bit of effort, but it's worth it to protect your plants and keep your feline friends safe. By using physical barriers, adding texture to the soil, using scent deterrents, and providing an alternative scratching or digging spot, you can create a cat-free garden paradise for you and your plants to enjoy.