How do I keep cats out of houseplants?

Answer 1

For chewing, try spraying Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange (there are formulations specifically for use on plants) on the leaves. Dusting cayenne pepper on them may also help. You may wish to grow some grass or catnip for them as an alternative; plants do provide them with needed nutrients (the absence of which may be causing their grazing).

For digging or urinating, cover the dirt with aluminum foil or gravel. If the plant needs it, add some vinegar to the soil to counteract the ammonia in the urine.

Answer 2

you need to first make sure you have enough litter boxes for your cats and more importantly that they are clean. The reccomendation is two litter boxes per cat in different areas of the house (especially if you have multiple floors).
Secondly, repot your houseplants with clean (urine free) soil and then put crinkled tin foil around/over the soil. I also try to catch the cats in the act and squirt them with water (not letting them see me do it)... it attaches a negative action to the plant.

Answer 3

I have that same problem, especially in larger pots. The goofy cat just likes to dig to see what he can find. I wish I knew what he was looking for.
Anyway, I collected some nice stones and place them on the soil around the plants. They add to the beauty of the plant and Kitty can't dig any more.

Answer 4

My solution is to take a piece of galvanized screen or hardware cloth and cut it to fit the inside of the pot. Then make a straight cut to the center of the screen, and create a hole large enough to accommodate the trunk of the plant. Carefully fit the screen around the trunk, push it gently into the soil, and cover it with a light layer of potting mix or mulch. When your cat comes to do its duty, it'll naturally begin to scratch first. When it encounters a hidden screen, it'll head elsewhere, ideally to that ingenious device known as a litter box.

Answer 5

Citrus is a deterrent for cats so it is suggested to put some orange or lemon peel in areas that you want to keep the cats away from. They also sell citrus spray. Another product they sell, which is more costly, is called ssscat.
http://www.multivet.net/en/products/ssscat/

Answer 6

Orange :)

Answer 7

I saw an Asian (Japanese) product that will help with thisIts a powder that you sprinkle on plants or your lawn and the cats are repelled by the smell I guess its the opposite of catnip... I forgot the name maybe you should reaserch~

Answer 8

I used to cut pieces of screening (for windows) to the size of the pot, place it over the dirt, and put decorative stones on top to hold it in place. The water will still go through, and your kitty cannot get to the dirt! You can also use shells, or river rock. or cut glass.

Answer 9

Eliminate the cats.

Answer 10

I sprinkle mine with chili powder. I even used it on a window planter shelf and my cat doesn't go anywhere near it anymore.