My cat Oliver used to eat every houseplant I brought home. Spider plant? Destroyed. That expensive orchid from my mother-in-law? Let’s not talk about it. Then one day, while panic-googling “why does my cat eat plants” at 2 AM (after he’d thrown up green stuff on my favorite rug), I discovered cat grass.
Three years and roughly a hundred batches later, I’ve become the crazy cat grass lady in my friend group. Oliver gets his greens, my houseplants survive, and I haven’t dealt with plant-vomit on the carpet in ages.
Here’s the thing though – growing cat grass sounds simple until you actually try it. My first attempt? Moldy disaster. Second attempt? Grew about three sad blades before dying. But I kept at it, and now I’ve got a constant rotation of fresh grass that Oliver actually prefers over my houseplants. Here’s exactly how to grow cat grass indoors without the frustration, mold, or judgmental looks from your cat.
What Even Is Cat Grass?
Confession time. I used to think cat grass was just… grass. Like, from outside. Nope. It’s actually specific types of grass that are safe for cats:
- Wheatgrass – The popular kid. Grows fast, cats love it
- Oat grass – Softer texture, good for sensitive kitties
- Barley grass – Bit harder, some cats love the texture
- Rye grass – Grows anywhere, very forgiving
Most seed packets are actually a mix. After trying them all, I found wheat and oat together work best. But honestly? Your cat will probably eat whatever you grow.
Quick note on why cats eat grass: helps with hairballs, adds fiber, provides vitamins, and sometimes they’re just bored. My vet says it’s totally normal. Oliver uses his grass as both snack and entertainment – I’ve watched him dramatically attack it like it personally offended him.
The Supplies (Don’t Overthink This)
I spent way too much money my first time. Special containers, organic soil, fancy seeds… Yeah, don’t be me.
What you actually need:
- Seeds (buy in bulk online – pet store packets are a ripoff)
- Container (any shallow dish works – I use old takeout containers)
- Soil (basic potting soil is fine)
- Plastic wrap or a lid
- A sunny spot
That’s it. Maybe $15 total investment, including bulk seeds that’ll last the entire year.
Method 1: The Traditional Soil Route
Takes about 7-10 days from seed to cat-ready grass.
Day 1: Planting Fill your container with 2 inches of soil. I learned the hard way that deeper isn’t better – extra soil just gets moldy.
Sprinkle seeds densely over the surface. Like, it should look like you way overdid it. These seeds want to be crowded – think subway at rush hour.
Press them down gently (I use the bottom of a cup), then add a THIN layer of soil on top. Barely covering them. My first batch never sprouted because I buried them like treasure.
Water gently until moist but not soaking. If you can squeeze water out, it’s too wet.
Days 2-4: The Waiting Game
Cover with plastic wrap (poke a few holes) or a loose lid. Put it somewhere warm – I use the top of my fridge.
Check daily and mist if the surface looks dry. You’ll see little white sprouts around day 3. They look weird and pale – that’s normal.
Days 5-7: Things Get Exciting
Once you see green shoots (usually day 4 or 5), remove the cover and move to a bright spot. Not blazing sun, just bright.
Keep soil moist but not soggy. The grass will shoot up crazy fast now.
Days 8-10: Cat Time
Once it’s about 4 inches tall, it’s ready. Oliver prefers it young and tender (bougie cat).
Method 2: The No-Soil Hack
After dealing with moldy soil one too many times, I discovered you can grow cat grass without any soil. Game changer.
Layer 3-4 paper towels in a container with drainage holes. Wet them thoroughly but not dripping. Spread seeds on top – pack them in. Cover with one more damp paper towel.
Same process as soil method, except:
- Keep paper towels moist always
- Grows even faster (ready in 6-7 days)
- Zero mold issues
- Easier cleanup
Only downside? Doesn’t last quite as long. But since it grows faster, I just start new batches more often.
My Rotation System
Here’s what nobody tells you: cat grass doesn’t last forever. After 2-3 weeks, it yellows and gets woody. Oliver won’t touch it then.
So I developed a system:
- Week 1: Start batch A
- Week 2: Batch A ready, start batch B
- Week 3: Batch B ready, batch A getting old
- Week 4: Toss batch A, start batch C
This way, Oliver always has fresh grass. I usually have 2-3 containers going at different stages. Yes, my kitchen counter looks like a tiny wheat farm.
Troubleshooting (Learn From My Failures)
Mold everywhere? Too much water, not enough air flow. Fix: water less, don’t cover seeds too heavily, add a tiny fan nearby, or switch to paper towel method.
Seeds won’t germinate? Either too old or buried too deep. Buy from reputable sources, plant shallow.
Cat won’t eat it? Some cats are picky about texture. Try different seed types, let it grow longer or harvest younger, or mist with water (Oliver likes his grass dewy).
Growing super slow? Not warm enough or not enough light. Move somewhere brighter.
Cat destroying the whole container? Use heavier containers or put the grass container inside a larger dish. Helps contain the mess when cats go full destruction mode.
Random Tips That Actually Matter
Buy seeds in bulk online. I get a pound for what pet stores charge for 2 ounces. Look for “wheatgrass seeds for juicing” – same thing, fraction of the price.
Start new batches before you need them. Nothing worse than your cat giving you the stink eye while eyeing your houseplants.
It’s okay if it looks ugly. This isn’t decorative. Oliver’s grass looks like a failed science experiment. He doesn’t care.
Don’t feel bad about tossing old grass. I used to try keeping it alive forever. Not worth it. It’s literally grass – start fresh.
You can freeze seeds to make them last longer. I keep mine in the freezer in an old coffee container.
The Unexpected Benefits
Besides saving my houseplants, growing cat grass has surprises:
Oliver throws up way less. Like, 90% less. The grass helps with hairballs.
It’s weirdly satisfying to grow. Something therapeutic about watching grass grow.
My niblings think I’m the cool aunt who grows special grass for the cat. They help plant new batches when they visit.
Is This Worth It?
You could buy pre-grown cat grass from the pet store weekly. But at $6 a pop, that adds up. Plus, it’s usually half-dead already.
Growing your own costs maybe $1 per batch. Takes literally 5 minutes to plant. And there’s something satisfying about providing your cat with homegrown greens.
The best part? No more sacrificial houseplants. My plants are thriving, Oliver has his grass, and I haven’t scrubbed plant vomit off carpet in years.
So grab some seeds, find a container, and give it a shot. Worst case, you fail and try again. Best case? Your cat stops eating your expensive plants and you become known as the friend who grows grass for their cat. There are worse things to be known for, trust me.
