How to Keep Cats Out of Flower Beds: Effective and Non-Toxic Solutions

Marilyn
July 19, 2021

Cats can be wonderful companions and charming pets, but they can also cause problems in the garden. They may dig up your plants, use your flower beds as litter boxes, nap on your delicate flowers, or chew on your foliage. If you want to protect your plants from unwanted feline visitors, you need some effective and non-toxic solutions to keep cats out of flower beds.

There are many ways to deter cats from entering or damaging your flower beds, ranging from natural repellents to physical barriers to motion-activated devices. Here are some of the best methods you can try, depending on your situation and preference.

Use Plants That Cats Hate

One of the easiest ways to keep cats out of flower beds is to plant some flowers or herbs that cats find unpleasant or unappealing. Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell, and they tend to avoid plants that have strong odors or prickly foliage.

Some of the plants that cats hate include:

Citronella: This plant has a powerful citrus scent that cats dislike. You can plant citronella around the edges of your flower beds, or use citronella oil as a spray or drizzle.
Lavender: This plant has a lovely fragrance for humans, but not for cats. Lavender also has aromatic foliage that cats find irritating. You can plant lavender in your flower beds, or use dried lavender as a mulch.
Rosemary: This herb has a pungent smell and needle-like leaves that cats avoid. Rosemary is also a drought-tolerant plant that can thrive in sunny locations. You can plant rosemary in your flower beds, or use fresh or dried rosemary as a mulch.
Mint: This herb has a strong minty smell that cats detest. Mint also spreads quickly and can cover a large area. You can plant mint in your flower beds, or use fresh or dried mint as mulch.
Sea Holly: This flower has a spiky appearance and thorny stems that cats find uncomfortable. Sea Holly also has blue-green foliage that adds color and texture to your garden. You can plant sea holly in your flower beds, or use cut sea holly as mulch.
Globe Thistle: This flower has a globe-shaped head and prickly leaves that cats dislike. Globe thistle also has purple-blue flowers that attract butterflies and bees. You can plant globe thistles in your flower beds, or use cut globe thistles as mulch.
Grevillea: This tropical plant has a unique shape and fuzzy flowers that cats find unattractive. Grevillea also has evergreen foliage that provides year-round interest. You can plant grevillea in your flower beds, or use cut grevillea as mulch.

Sprinkle Substances That Cats Dislike

Another simple way to keep cats out of flower beds is to sprinkle some substances that cats find repulsive or irritating on the soil or around the plants. These substances can be natural or commercial, and they work by either creating an unpleasant smell or sensation for the cats.

Some of the substances that cats dislike include:

Pepper: This spice has a pungent smell and taste that cats hate. Pepper also causes sneezing and irritation in the cats’ noses and mouths. You can sprinkle cayenne pepper or black pepper on the soil or around the plants. However, you need to reapply it frequently, especially after rain or wind.
Coffee Grounds: This substance has a bitter smell and taste that cats avoid. Coffee grounds also act as a natural fertilizer for your plants. You can sprinkle coffee grounds on the soil or around the plants. However, you need to be careful not to overdo it, as too much coffee grounds can make the soil acidic.
Tea Leaves: This substance has a strong smell that cats dislike. Tea leaves also act as a natural mulch for your plants. You can sprinkle tea leaves on the soil or around the plants. For best results, you can place flat stones or tiles on the soil and put tea leaves on top of them, so they don’t get buried in the dirt.
Commercial Cat Repellents: These products are specially designed to keep cats away from certain areas. They usually contain organic ingredients like clove and garlic extracts, or essential oils like citronella². You can buy commercial cat repellents in the form of sprays, oils, or powders, and apply them on the soil or around the plants. However, you need to follow the instructions carefully and reapply them regularly, as they may lose their effectiveness over time.

Install Physical Barriers

Another effective way to keep cats out of flower beds is to install some physical barriers that prevent or discourage cats from entering or damaging your plants. These barriers can be natural or artificial, and they work by either creating an uncomfortable or unstable surface for the cats to walk on or by blocking their access to the flower beds.

Some of the physical barriers that you can install include:

Pinecones and Twigs: These natural materials have a rough and prickly texture that cats find unpleasant. Pinecones and twigs also create an uneven terrain that cats don’t like. You can scatter pinecones and twigs throughout your flower beds, or use them as mulch. You can also use old or broken chopsticks, pencils, or toothpicks as alternatives.
Rose Branches: These natural materials have thorns that cats find painful. Rose branches also create a wall that cats can’t easily cross. You can place rose branches around the edges of your flower beds, or use them as mulch. However, you need to be careful not to hurt yourself or your plants with thorns.
Chicken Wire: This artificial material has a mesh-like structure that cats find uncomfortable. Chicken wire also creates a barrier that cats can’t dig through. You can lay the chicken wire on top of the soil or around the plants. However, you need to cut holes for your plants to grow through, and secure the wire with stakes or pins.
Floral Wire: This artificial material has a thin and flexible structure that cats find annoying. Floral wire also creates a deterrent that cats can’t see well. You can place the floral wire on top of the soil or around the plants. However, you need to bend the wire into different shapes and angles and make sure it doesn’t harm your plants.

Use Motion-Activated Devices

Another powerful way to keep cats out of flower beds is to use some motion-activated devices that scare or surprise cats when they approach or enter your plants. These devices can be water-based or sound-based, and they work by either spraying water or emitting noise when they detect motion.

Some of the motion-activated devices that you can use include:

Motion Sprinklers: These water-based devices have a sensor that triggers a sprinkler when it detects motion. Motion sprinklers spray water at the cat when it comes near your flower bed, which makes it run away. Since cats hate water, this method is very effective. You can buy motion sprinklers like the ScareCrow or the Havahart Spray Away, and install them near your flower beds. However, you need to deactivate them when you want to work in your garden, or you will get wet too.
Ultrasonic Cat Repellers: These sound-based devices have a sensor that triggers a speaker when it detects motion. Ultrasonic cat repellers emit a high-pitched noise that only cats can hear, which makes them uncomfortable. Since cats have a keen sense of hearing, this method is also effective. You can buy ultrasonic cat repellers like the Pestbye or the Aspectek, and place them near your flower beds. However, you need to check the battery life and adjust the frequency settings regularly, as they may lose power or affect other animals.

Conclusion

Keeping cats out of flower beds can be challenging, but not impossible. You can try one or more of these methods to protect your plants from unwanted feline visitors, depending on your situation and preference. Remember to always use safe and non-toxic solutions that won’t harm your cats or your plants.