Cat Grass on the Windowsill: How to Grow It in a Week
A tray of oats on the window distracts your cat from houseplants and costs next to nothing. Simple instructions, no special kits required.
Cats chew grass, and no one fully knows why. One theory holds that it is a habit inherited from wild ancestors and linked to expelling parasites. The main practical takeaway is simpler: if there is grass of her own on the windowsill, the peace lily and dracaena suffer less often. It is no guarantee, so toxic plants still need to go.
What you will need
- Oat, wheat, or barley grains that have not been treated with seed dressings. Seeds sold for planting are often treated with fungicides, so do not use them. It is safer to use food-grade hulled oats or a ready-made mix for cats.
- A shallow container with a stable base. A light one will be knocked over by your cat.
- Clean potting soil without fertilizer, or vermiculite. A layer of damp paper will also do.
How to grow it
- Rinse the grains and soak them for 8–12 hours.
- Spread them in a dense layer on the damp growing medium and cover them lightly.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a lid for a couple of days to keep in moisture. Air it out so mold does not develop.
- When sprouts appear, remove the cover and move the container into the light.
- After 5–7 days the grass will reach 10 centimeters and you can offer it to your cat.
Care
Water a little at a time and make sure water does not pool. One container usually lasts two to three weeks. When the grass yellows, flops over, or starts to smell, replace the container with a new one. It is convenient to sow a small batch every ten days.
