Cats are beloved pets for many, but their instincts and behaviours can make them challenging for gardeners. 

Unfortunately, cats can have several adverse effects on a garden, leading many gardeners to consider them pests. 

One of the main reasons for this is that cats use garden beds or patches of soil as litter boxes. 

This can be incredibly frustrating for gardeners who have put a lot of time and effort into cultivating their plants, as cat faeces can harm plants and introduce diseases into the soil.

As a natural way to deter felines, experts at garden retailer Primrose have shared several plants that “keep cats away”.

1. Lavender 

Lavender plants come with a scent that’s nice for humans but “unappealing for felines”. 

These purple flowers are evergreen, so “they act as a year round deterrent”. Gardeners should choose the tall varieties and plant them at the front of their borders as “cats won’t jump over” if they can’t see where they’ll land.

2. Pennyroyal 

Also known as pudding grass, this plant is the smallest of the mint family. 

However, unlike many mint plants, this variety is a “deterrent for cats as it gives off a very strong spearmint fragrance they can’t stand”.

Pennyroyal releases a strong spearmint smell that will draw humans in and “kick cats out so they run a mile”.

3. Lemon balm

Citrus is “well known to ward off felines”, so plant some lemon varieties to help with your natural defences. 

4. Thorny bushes

Cats “won’t tread” on uncomfortable surfaces, so covering exposed ground with spiky plants can be a great natural way to keep them off.

Grow thorny plants like roses, perennial geraniums or pyracantha over any bare soil in the flower beds. 

You can also make a spiky wall out of hedging plants like blackberry bushes, hawthorn and holly to prevent cats from even entering your garden.

5. Scaredy cat plant

The scaredy cat plant was bred specifically as a garden pest repellent. It emits an odour when animals brush past and can be effective against cats, dogs, foxes and rabbits. 

Unfortunately, the smell of dog urine it gives is so strong that it is unpleasant for nearby humans too.