Back to the MY CAT magazine

Catnip

Stems or leaves is enough for your cat to start rolling around with joy. When shopping for plants, make sure not to confuse catnip (Nepeta cataria) with catmint (Nepeta faassenii), as the latter doesn’t have the same effect on cats.

Cat grass

Unlike the other plants mentioned in this article, cat grass is not an actual plant species. Rather, it is the name for a variety of grasses that cats love to gnaw on, typically grown from barley, rye, wheat, or oats. Eating grass aids your cat’s digestive system and helps them get rid of hairballs.

The 3 catnip alternatives

Catnip doesn’t affect your kitty? These 3 alternative plants likely will.

Cat thyme

For those who live in a mild climate, Teucrium marum – also known as cat thyme – might be the perfect kitty garden plant. This tender perennial looks like thyme but comes with a pungent scent that tends to make people sneeze. Cats, though, love the odor and will enter a euphoric state similar to the one provoked by catnip. 

Valerian

If you’d love to add some color to your cat garden, valerian (Valeriana officinalis) might be just what you’re looking for. This perennial plant carries white or pink flowers in summer and can grow up to 5 feet (1.5m) high if left untrimmed. While humans mainly enjoy the benefits of valerian root, both the roots and the leaves of this plant will appeal to your feline friend, making them mellow.

Silvervine

This gorgeous green climbing vine adds some bling to your garden as it bears silver spots on its leaves, hence its name. Silvervine (Actinidia polygama) belongs to the kiwifruit family, though it’s not the fruit but rather the branches of this plant that make cats go nuts. While silvervine plants or seeds might be a little harder to come by, this vine is definitely worth a spot in your cat garden. Just be aware the climbing vines can reach up to 15 feet at maturity.

The herbs without the hassle

Do you lack green fingers? Do you live on an appartement without balcony? Don’t worry, Catit has you covered! We offer a variety of packaged catnip and silvervine products to choose from, as well as a cat grass planter with seeds included.