Cat Grass

Cat Grass Care

Avena sativa

What is the plant

Cat Grass is remembered for its long 4 feet (1.2 m) tall stem, slender leaves, and small, inconspicuous flowers. Easy to grow at home, this plant is a safe and healthy option for cats to snack on, as Oatgrass provides a source of fresh greens that can help support your cat's digestion and overall health.

Belonging to the Oat plant family Poaceae, Oatgrass is a low-maintenance plant, meaning it can be grown in various containers, such as pots, jars, or even small trays.

Avena sativa is also called Cat Grass for it has healing and soothing properties, perfect for kitties craving greens. Many cats absolutely love the taste of Oatgrass, and munching on home-grown sprouts keeps them away from possibly toxic houseplants. So, this grass is often grown by pet owners as a healthy and fun treat for their furry friends. Even a small 2-4 inch (5-10 cm) tall plant sprouts can fulfill your cat's nutritional needs.

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Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

14°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

6 - 10

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water Oatgrass regularly to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. It is best to give it a deep drink once or twice a week, depending on the weather conditions and the soil type.
Pruning
As you are growing the Cat Grass at home, it’s not necessary to cut it, as your kitty will do this for you.
Fertilizer
Test your potting mix with a soil test kit from your garden store and feed the plant with balanced all-purpose fertilizer with NPK ratio of 10-10-10 every 4-6 weeks during the spring-summer growing season. Follow the instructions on the packaging not to overfertilize the plant, as too much active nutrients can damage the root system.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
This plant prefers full-sun places. Put Cat Grass on a sunny windowsill receiving at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or southwest-facing window would be the most beneficial.
Soil
This grass feels comfortable with most soils, provided they are well-aerated, well-draining, and fertile. Sandy, loamy, and clayey ground will do for Cat Grass if its pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.
Propagation
Propagate Oatgrass by seeds in early spring or fall. Sow the seeds in a well-draining potting mix, covering them with a thin soil layer. Keep the ground consistently moist until new growth appears in 7-14 days.

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Temperature
As a cool-season grass, Oatgrass grows best in 60-75˚F (15-24˚C) temperatures. It can tolerate as high as 90˚F (32˚C), but extreme temperatures can affect the plant’s growth.
Container
Cat Grass grows best in a large enough container to accommodate the plant’s long roots. The pot should be at least 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter and 12 inches (30 cm) deep with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
Fun fact
Highly valued by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, Oatgrass was one of the first plants cultivated for medicinal purposes. Due to its high antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals value, this herb was used to help treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems, anxiety, and insomnia.