8 Cats’ Favorite Plants

Cat playing with a lemongrass

Once in a while cats eat grasses to (perhaps) help them dispose of the hairballs or aid their digestion. It is actually a common cats’ behavior and for those who own cats, it is not something to worry about. There are even several certain types of plants that are well-liked by cats and can make them suddenly excited and agile. For those of you who own cats, you may care to try to give the plants below to play with them. Not all cats love all the plants tough. However, most of the cats that get one of these plants will surely be energized to play around with it, or they may even eat it. Here they are:

 

1. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

CATNIP

Catnip is a shrub that grows wild in almost all parts of the world. Its stems and leaves contain a chemical compound called nepetalactone, which influences  cats’ way of behaving. If there is a catnip around, they will come up to it, sniffing, rubbing their body to it, munching it, then get high. Try to occasionally give them a catnip to play with. It has a potent effect with most of them, male cats may even be more aggressive and nimble. The effect lasts for approximately fifteen minutes. After the effects fade out, their behavior will go back to normal.                                                       
                                                                                         

2. Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)

SPIDER PLANTS WITH GREEN LEAVES

Spider plants is a shrub with attractive green ribbon-shaped leaves and white flowers. It is very popular as an ornamental plant.  Besides its unique appearance, this plant grows relatively fast and is defiant to any kind of weather. The effect is similar to catnip’s, some chemical contained in a spider plant may provoke your cats to be compulsive.  Although not poisonous, in excessive amounts, it may result in cats’ tummy problems.

3. Silver vine (Actinidia polygama)

SILVER VINE

Silver vine is a harmless plant that has green leaves with silver-white smears on them. Actinidine and dihydroactinidiolide contained in the plant are the sources of a distinctive scent cats like so much. The effect is very similar to Catnip’s so it is also called Japanese Catnip. When your cat is not in the mood to play or under acute stress, try to stimulate him/her by providing these plants to make him/her cheerful. 

 

4. Honeysuckle (Lonicera)

HONEYSUCKLES

This creeping plant grows very quickly and is generally used as a garden plant. Just like catnip, honeysuckle contains nepetalactone, which makes cats really excited, wanting to lick and play with it. However, most of them still like catnip better that honeysuckle.

5. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

VALERIAN (FLOWER)

This flowering plant is a member of the honeysuckle family. It is acknowledged as a healing herb as it has been widely used in medical practices as an effectual sedative remedy. Valerian has a horrible smell but not for cats. Many of them are overjoyed after getting a hold of Valerian due to actinidine contained in it’s root.

6. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citrullus)

LEMONGRASS

 Lemongrass is one of manifold grasses which are widely used as a seasoning. Some types of cats hated these plants, but many of them love to smell them, mine does. That is, perhaps, due to the typical smell of the plants. It makes some cats do not stop kissing and rubbing his head against it.  Scientifically, the research shows that Lemongrass contains an anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. These contents, in addition to be particularly useful in treating infections in the stomach and intestines, are also widely believed to cure outer skin infections.   Those may instinctively be other reasons why they like the plant. 

7. Cat Plant/Indian Acalypha (Acalypha indica)

Indian acalypha is a weed that grows wild in any kind of grounds. Give your furred buddies the leaves or the roots of the plant, then wait for a few minutes, they will be really appealing due to the charm of this magical plant. Scientifically it is a very high source of fiber which is useful to their digestion. 

8. Cat Thyme (Teucrium Marum)

Cat thyme is a slow-growing shrub with oval leaves and reddish purple flowers.  While it is useful for digestion and as a natural sedative, the mint aroma released from a fresh cat thyme tends to cause cats feel pleasure and go crazy rolling around it. In practical fact, some cats like this plant more than catnip.