Growing cat grass yourself is an effective way to provide your cat with the digestive grass. This guide explains how to plant cat grass on your own.

In a nutshell

  • Cat grass species include sweet and sour grasses
  • can be propagated all year round
  • Sowing succeeds with little effort
  • Rhizomes are used for dividing

Cat grass species presented

Cat grass is offered in a variety of different types that have different growth characteristics. These are sweet and sour grasses that are ideal for this purpose and can be easily grown from the methods described. With the sweet grasses (Poaceae) you have the choice between different species, which are often offered together as seed bags:

  • Wheat (Triticum)
  • Rye (Secale cereale)
  • Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
  • Oats (Avena sativa)
  • Millet (Panicum/Sorghum)

Sweet grasses do not differ in effect from sour grasses (Cyperaceae). Since the straws are significantly softer and not sharp-edged, these mixtures are ideal for cats that have sensitive mouths or are older. The grass is easier to chew and doesn't become lignified as quickly. If you choose sour grass instead, opt for a slower growing cat grass that is harder and lasts longer to chew. Available are:

  • Seychelles grass (Pogonatherum paniceum)
  • Alternate-leaved Cyprus grass (Cyperus zumula)
Seychelles grass (Pogonatherum paniceum)

Notice: If your cats don't often chew on the sour grasses, trim them regularly so that the stalks don't become woody and sharp-edged. This way you prevent possible injuries during consumption.

time

A big advantage of propagating cat grass is the time period. Because these are fast-growing grasses, you don't have to wait for a specific time. You can grow cat grass yourself all year round. Spring and summer are particularly effective, as there is sufficient light. Otherwise, you can choose a date for propagation by seed yourself. If you want to divide the plants, it is best to do this when repotting.

Notice: When you repot, you can tell by the roots of the plant. If the top layer of soil is heavily rooted, it is time to divide and repot the plant.

Sow cat grass

For propagation by seed, you need the appropriate seeds for the desired species. Alternatively, you can use cat grass mixes. You also need lean herbal or growing soil to grow cat grass yourself. Then follow these instructions:

  • Soak seeds for about 12 hours
  • use room-warm, lime-free water
  • Strain the seeds and pat dry
  • Fill the cultivation vessels with substrate
  • Distribute seeds on substrate
  • press carefully
  • cover thinly with substrate
  • moisten with lime-free water
  • place in a bright location without direct midday sun
  • Germination temperature: 18°C to 25°C
  • Germination period: about 14 days
  • Keep soil well moist
  • if necessary, place in mini greenhouse or cover with foil
  • air daily
  • after germination remove mini-greenhouse and foil
  • maintain as usual

propagation by division

As soon as you have successfully grown the cat grass yourself or already own a specimen, you can also share it. This way you can plant more cat grass much faster. This method is particularly useful for larger specimens that burst the bucket. Furthermore, it is only possible to divide sour grasses, since they form suitable rhizomes for this. Sweet grasses cannot really be divided. For the division you need the following utensils:

  • scissors
  • Planters for the sections

When using the scissors, make sure they are disinfected and sharpened. This prevents infections caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi, which could get into the rhizome pieces via the interfaces during division. The following guide will guide you through the propagation:

  • Carefully remove the cat grass from the planter
  • Remove rhizomes from old substrate
  • carefully cut off the rhizomes
  • use scissors for this
  • Check rhizomes for roots
  • Cut off dried, rotten or dead roots
  • fill new planters with substrate
  • Substrate: garden soil (sterilized)
  • enrich with quartz sand
  • improves structure and permeability
  • Plant cat grass
  • put rhizomes in the ground for this
  • with roots down
  • cover with substrate
  • moisten thoroughly
  • place in the usual location
Cat grass after a week

frequently asked Questions

What must be considered when caring for cat grass?

Cat grass is an easy-care plant that is quite undemanding. Most importantly, make sure it never dries out. For this purpose, it is advisable to use a coaster, because the grasses are quite thirsty, especially in dry rooms. Only water with lime-free water. Cultivate the cat grass for your four-legged friends, do not add any fertilizer at all. High humidity protects houseplants from spider mite infestation.

How Much Cat Grass Can Cats Eat Daily?

The house tiger decides that itself. The animals eat as much as they need for their digestion. That means you can just leave the plant where it is and your cat will help itself. Most cats don't overeat on cat grass.

Is spider plant recommended as cat grass?

Only slightly. If you have a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), you can let your cat nibble on it. Just make sure the air around the spider plant is clean. The plant cleans the air by absorbing particles and storing them in the leaves. This also includes exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke, which could have a negative impact on your velvet paw's health.

Category:

Vegetable garden