If your cat grass isn’t thriving indoors or just doesn’t match your living room decor, don’t worry—there’s a great alternative! You can easily grow this feline favorite right on your balcony. Here are my top tips for keeping your cat grass happy and healthy outdoors on your balcony or patio.
Finding the Perfect Spot
To get the best growth, you’ll want to place your cat grass where it can soak up plenty of sunlight. It definitely won’t be happy in a dark, shady corner. That said, you don’t want to leave it baking in the harsh, direct midday sun all day long. Too much direct heat will dry out the soil way too fast, making it hard for the plant to stay hydrated, and it can even scorch those tender green blades.
You should also keep an eye on the weather and protect your grass and its seeds from heavy downpours. Too much rain can lead to standing water in the pot, which causes root rot. The “sweet spot” is a location that gets a few hours of gentle morning or evening sun but stays sheltered under a roof or awning. This way, you can control the watering yourself.
How to Plant Your Cat Grass
For planting, a shallow bowl or a wide pot works best. Fill it with a high-quality potting soil that’s packed with nutrients. Pro tip: You can also mix in some small expanded clay pebbles (hydro-ton) to help retain moisture and release it slowly to the roots. You can grab seeds at any garden center, or even harvest them yourself if you have existing plants and know which varieties are safe for cats.
What you’ll need:
- Potting soil or another nutrient-rich substrate
- A pot or shallow planting bowl
- Soft water (low in lime) for watering
One big thing to watch out for: make sure your cat grass doesn’t develop mold. Even a tiny bit of mold can be harmful to your furry friend. If you spot any fuzziness, it’s best to play it safe and toss it out. Luckily, cat grass grows incredibly fast if it’s well-cared for, and you don’t need a huge field of it—just a small, healthy patch is plenty to keep your cat happy for a long time!
