I have know for a long time the benefits of houseplants, especially in cleaning the air but I procrastinated about buying plants for the house. Part of the reason was because I am a procrastinator and the other reason was that I wasn’t sure which plants were safe for cats and which one of those grow well indoors.
It occurred to me recently that catnip was definitely safe for cats and, according to Google, it also grows well indoors. With that in mind I bought two catnip plants yesterday but realized when I got home that I only had one pot and that had a crack in it, so today I bought two pots that I thought would be hard to tip over. When I got home from work I put the plants in the pots and brought them inside.
I set them down at the door and they were immediately the focus of attention of our three cats. Frankie, almost immediately, crushed one of the plants and Chris, well, watch the video to see what Chris does. It’s not good.
The plants are back outside. I guess I will have to break off leaves and bring them in a little at a time unless someone has better advice.
Bad Cat Chris 
When Wally was here, there was no way we could ever have a potted catnip plant in the house. He would pull it right out of the pot.
I think I said it before but Wally and Chris must be related. 🙂
Its a good thing I was not around to witness this!
A very good thing.
I have to hide cat grass when I grow it for the kitties. I bring it out once a day, if I leave it out they destroy it.
I had the same issue with catgrass. I would leave it outside and bring it in every few days but I soon forgot about it and it died.
I plant mine outside in a big hanging basket and harvest it periodically. So, yeh, that’s what you’re gonna hafta do !
I guess I need another plant idea for inside now,
I made the same mistake the first time around. Now I only bring it out for them for a few minutes a day, otherwise they demolish the plant. I also alternate catnip plant with kitty grass plant.
That’s a good idea for most cats but you saw what happened in less than two minutes with our cats.
Same thing happened here the first time. But my cats don’t want cut leaves, they only want to nibble on a live plant. Different personalities, I guess.
We’ll see but I have a feeling our cats won’t want cut leaves either.
Always worth to try, though.
Yes, it is.
I laughed so hard at the video, I almost wet myself. I got four catnip plants at Lowe’s on Sunday. I plant them in really big, heavy pots on the catio. The kitties cannot knock them over, but they have been known to lie on top of the plants, and Lisbeth has dug them up in the past. I think your idea sounds like the best. Good Luck.
I guess it was worth it for the laughs. 🙂 I saw planters that were very wide which would probably work but I think Chris and Frankie would still destroy the plants. Floki might be more gentle with them, though.
Well, it was self-service!
What was I thinking?
Mr. Charles, Katsu and I have lots and lots of potted plants – including ‘nip – in our catio… And the only problem we have is that Katsu likes to sprawl on top of our ‘nip. (2nd photo down = evidence of this https://purrseidon.wordpress.com/2018/06/06/catio-update/ ) BUT we have a much larger plant and it is in a much larger pot. There is also that fact that neither Katsu nor I have the ‘nip gene’ so while we appreciate it, we don’t go crazy over ‘nip.
Purrseidon
I couldn’t make the photo bigger on my phone for some reason but that looks like a lot of nip, from what I can see.
Mr. Charles, our pot is about the size of a bushel basket (Katsu weighs about 10 #, if that gives you a better idea of size) It is one nip plant. The rest are in the garden.
Purrseidon
I think I need one that big or Chris doesn’t tip it over.
Mr. Charles, if you have any farms/ranches in your area, they might have big plastic pots that feed for horses and cows comes in – those are often just thrown out and make excellent pots. Only problem is that they are too heavy to move once the dirt is added … Mr. Leon shows how to alter these to water from the bottom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuqYmRmJrHo&t=35s
Oh, and you might want to put mulch or rocks on top so my dear furiend doesn’t think it’s a good litter box.
Purrseidon
I think one of these days we will have a cameo built. But we will have to have another door installed in our house. since we are saving money for a big trip to Germany this year it probably won’t happen until later, but once we get a catio I might try something like that.
Oh, I busted up watching this. That Chris……he would be the one lovingly wrapped around your neck? 😀
That’s Chris. He is something else. 🙂
I guessed it ;o) if dogs would like nip it would happen here too LOL
Only faster. 🙂
My human has never been able to successfully keep houseplants and cats in the same house, ever.
I guess I can see why.
OOPS…….I must say I don’t know of anyone else who has put their catnip plants inside the house – the result is much like what yours was (!!). They obviously like the idea but the clean up isn’t worth it. LOL Lesson learned?? Yep – bring in some leaves for them but that whole plant (and the dirt!) is too hard to resist!!!
Hugs, Pam (and Teddy too)
Now I need to find a plant that is safe for cats but uninteresting.
Just FYI, mothballs keep cats OUT of the dirt in plant pots…..although they are stinky!
Yes, too stinky for me.
We had a similar incident here a year or so ago. Frankie you really need to learn a lighter paw and Chris, Dood, Great Job!
Gingers are over the top.
Hello Charles,
I cannot bring in house plants because Suki is a junkie and will eat everything going !!! Had to go to vets because he coudn’t stop!
I now give them flat leaf parsley in a jug and all of my 4 cats love it. It helps them digest because they are indoor.
Otherwise dry catnip on their toys.
Lovely video, my cats do exactly the same thing.
Take care
I will bring in a few leaves from the catnip plant to see if they are interested in that. Hopefully that will be good enough.
MOL…it’s to tempting for inside…outside too, tho …MOL 😀 Pawkisses for a Happy Day🐾😽💞
Apparently, it’s safer out of reach.
Pingback: Catnip, Take Two | Bad Cat Chris
OMC I laughed so hard I scared Raz!!!
The Florida Furkids
I think the mess was worth it for the entertainment factor. 😁
It looks like you’d need three cats with Floki’s personality to be able to keep the plants inside.
Agreed. Chris and Frankie are too much.