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13 Plants and Smells That Keep Cats Out of Your Garden

While cats can be wonderful companions, their territorial nature can create challenges when they claim your property as their domain. Unwanted feline visitors may leave behind unwelcome surprises, start noisy fights with other neighborhood cats, or claim your garden as their preferred breeding ground.

For those who need to keep cats at bay – whether due to allergies, fear, or simply wanting to protect their outdoor spaces – there are several natural, humane deterrent methods using scents that cats naturally avoid. These plants can help you establish boundaries while keeping cats safe, allowing both humans and cats to coexist peacefully in separate spaces.

1. Peppermint

A green field of Mentha × piperita (Peppermint).
Image Credit: Rillke – CCA SA 3.0/WikiCommons.

Peppermints are soothing for humans but cats dislike their menthol-like scent. The smell overwhelms cats and makes them retreat.

If you have peppermint leaves, make sure to leave them near windowsills and doorways. Alternatively, spray peppermint oil in these places to limit access to felines.

2. Cinnamon

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Cinnamon harbors a spicy aroma that may irritate some people but definitely irks cats. Their respiratory system does not appreciate the smell which is why they avoid it.

Find some cinnamon powder and sprinkle it around your garden. For maximum effectiveness, ensure to cover some plants and entry beds with it.

3. Essential Oils

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Essential oils like eucalyptus have pleasant scents yet are disliked by cats. This is because felines have sensitive noses and some strong smells can actually be toxic for them.

It’s better to use essential oils sparingly as they may harm cats if absorbed through the skin. They are best used in small amounts near doorways and windows.

4. Onions

White and red onions in piles, side by side, being sold in a market.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Nobody likes the sharp scent of onions. If they can make people cry then they might be able to make cats wail uncontrollably.

Use onion powder near garden beds but ensure they are out of reach. If ingested, they are harmful to cats.

5. Rosemary

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Rosemary works wonders in making a living room come alive with its pleasant scent. It also works well in repelling cats from gardens and houses.

The best way to use rosemary is with potted rosemary plants around your garden or house. You’ll beautify your spaces while keeping the felines out.

6. Lavender Plants

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Speaking of plants, lavender plants carry gentle fragrances that can calm any human. Unfortunately, cats aren’t humans, and they find these plants incredibly distasteful.

Lavender plants look great in windowsills and near doorways. They’ll keep cats out while also giving your home an uplift.

7. Overripe Banana Peels

Close-up of ants on old banana peels.
Image Credit: Public Domain/WikiCommons.

Expired bananas can wreak havoc in two places. The inside of someone’s stomach and the sensitive nose of a feline.

The offputting smell works best when placed near outside furniture or near garden beds.

8. Curry

Close-up of butter chicken or chicken curry in a pan, being prepared and served with naan bread.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Known for its spicy taste, curry can intensify the taste of some dishes but also repel felines. The spicy aroma overwhelms a cat’s senses.

Sprinkle some curry powder near flower beds and potted plants to help protect them from any cats and bugs.

9. Ground Coffee

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Many restaurants and cafes spend years and thousands of dollars perfecting the aroma of ground coffee. Unfortunately for them, no matter how expensive the coffee, cats will hate it all the same.

Scatter ground coffee powder evenly across your garden. The scent is pleasant for some people.

10. Citrus

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Citrus fruits harbor an acidic smell that cats find unpleasant. The scent overwhelms cats and insects.

Place citrus peels near entryways and potted plants. Alternatively, use citrus sprays on the edges of the garden.

11. Vinegar

Close up of DIY cleaning spray, natural toxic free home cleaner, orange peel infused vinegar.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Cats find vinegar extremely off-putting. The pungent odor disrupts their senses and makes them wish they chose another garden to relieve themselves.

Spray diluted vinegar on any outdoor furniture and near potted plants.

12. Garlic

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The purple texture of garlic haunts the bravest of felines in their dreams. Its intense smell is repulsive to cats but not toxic.

Place crushed garlic cloves or garlic powder in garden beds or near entry points where you want to deter cats.

13. Mustard

Sausage, bread, mustard and other spreads on a wooden serving plank.
Image Credit: young shanahan – CCA 2.0/WikiCommons.

Mustard is equally disliked by those who prefer ketchup and cats. The sharp smell irritates cats and keeps them out.

While humans might debate between using ketchup or mustard on their hotdogs, cats hate it so much it will keep them away. Spread some mustard powder around your garden and in areas where cats are frequently seen.

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