Will Growing Rosemary Keep Your Cat Out Of Your Garden? Here's What We Know

Pet owners face incredible challenges when trying to repel cats from their gardens. Growing rosemary is often touted as an effective plant-protecting solution, as the herb emits a smell that many felines find unpleasant. However, it may not have the impact you expect, as every cat has different preferences; some might prefer one scent that another abhors completely. 

According to Betterpet, cats have a sense of smell that is 40 times more sensitive than humans. Consequently, they rely on their noses to sniff for danger. And because cats like to rub against plants, it's believed that herbs with a strong essential oil fragrance and textured leaves, like rosemary will repel them. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this.

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Moreover, many pet parents who have tried using the herb as a deterrent have experienced mixed results. On Reddit, one user shared that planting rosemary in their yard kept neighborhood cats away. However, TikToker indooroutdoorkat shared a video of their own feline happily nibbling on a rosemary plant, suggesting that some cats don't mind the scent or texture, and may even enjoy it. Thankfully, rosemary is non-toxic to cats even if ingested. If you want to try using it to repel felines who are deterred by the scent, growing it about 1-1.5 meters away from the plants you want to protect is the optimal distance.

There are several drawbacks to consider when using rosemary as a cat repellent. Depending on where you live, the aromatic oils in rosemary may only release under certain conditions, such as when the plant is damaged or in bloom, which means the smell may not be strong enough to put off your feline. Responding to indooroutdoorkat's TikTok video, which expressed their confusion over their cat's attraction to rosemary, one viewer wrote, "My guess is the plant probably hasn't been producing much oil with shipping/ being in the store."

Rosemary thrives in warm, dry climates versus cold and wet areas, which may influence its effectiveness as a feline repellent. Additionally, The Cat Vet emphasizes that rosemary may not work because cats have different sniffers and may even eat the plant. In a multi-cat household, you may have one kitty that hates the smell, but another that might find it pleasant.

Some owners may instead opt to use rosemary essential oils, but this could potentially harm your pet because it can irritate their skin, paws, and eyes, and even lead to seizures if ingested. Instead of planting rosemary or relying on an oil dropper, Nikki Tilley of Gardening Know How swears by spritzing the perimeter of your garden with simple mixture of rosemary and water in a spray bottle. If that doesn't work, you can try doubling down and adding another fragrant, non-toxic plant like lemon balm to your garden.