Create a Garden Your Cat will Purr About    by danielle on 26 May 2014 | 2Comment(s) We have heard about the toxic plants we should avoid adding to our gardens to keep our cats safe – but what about the plants cat’s love? There are a variety of plant species kitties adore, many of which are great for their health too.   Cat grass (dactylis glomerata) Image credit     As its name suggests, cats are fond of Cat Grass. It helps cats with their digestion, and is great for dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits as well.    Lemongrass (cymbopagon)   Image credit   Cats absolutely love the smell of lemongrass and even enjoy a nibble or two. You can also add it to your cooking for a touch of Asian flavor. Funnily enough, cats despise the smell of lemons!    Catnip (nepeta cataria)   Catnip holds a special place in the feline heart. Beware, your kitty may go a little crazy on the stuff and you may attract legions of neighborhood cats to your garden (seriously). Cats react to the nepatalactone in catnip leaves and stems. Upon contact cats have a psychosexual reaction – essentially ‘get high’ – for up to 15 minutes. Catnip also products pretty pink flowers that attract bees to your garden, helping with pollination of all your other plants.       Valerian (valeriana officinalis)    Image credit Valerian has a similar effect on cats as catnip. To us, the white and pink flowers have a pleasant sweet vanilla fragrance, making a great choice for pet and owner. In Valerian a compound called actinidine works as a semi-psychotic stimulant for kitties, sending them into a relaxed, purring fit.   Cat Thyme (Teucrium marum)  Image credit   Cat thyme is another plant that sends cats into a frenzy. In spite of its name, it is actually not a variety of thyme but a germander. Some cats even prefer it to catnip. Unfortunately, human noses aren’t generally so keen. To us, it smells quite dreadful.    Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)   Image credit   Licorice root tastes yummy to cats and it is also good for them, especially those who have allergies, colds and digestive issues, as it is a natural cortisone and soothes mucus membranes. It also has cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties making it a great choice for people with elderly cats suffering from arthritis.    Image credit   Feature image credit Comment(s)2 Charmaine30 May 2014Reply Very useful information, thank you. I have 2 cats so I'm off to nurseries to find some of the above cat loving plants. Petbucket02 Jun 2014Reply Hi Charmaine - that's great to hear. Hope you and your cats enjoy the new plants - I'm sure they will :) Join the Conversation Name* * Please enter your name. Email * Email address will not be published Please enter a valid email address. Comment * Please enter your comment. Security Code 'Please enter security code. Submit