Question
Yes I was wondering how I can keep my cat from eating my plant?  I have a cyperus alternifolius "umbella plant".  I don't know what to do.  Please help me?  Also I have kept the plant outside all summer because of my cat and now that I brought it in it seems like it is not doing so good.  I do have it in front of a window.  What are your suggestions?  Please email me back with your answers, that way I know I will get it.

Thank you,
Marie Tigner

Answer
Hi, Marie,
First of all, your email address was either cut off or just not included, so I am sending the reply via the website.  I actually specialize in African Violets, as noted in my Profile, so I am not very experienced or qualified to answer your question.  However, I will pass on one tip that I have picked up as a cat lover and a houseplant keeper.  Cats hate the smell of citrus, anything like oranges, lemons.  I have heard that if you place a few lemon or orange peels (just the peels) in the top of the houseplant it is likely to repel them from going near it.  There are also some citrus sprays which are available to purchase at pet stores which would also repel cats, but I wonder about the safety of spraying anything directly ON my plants.  I have not used this tip, but it is definitely a safe one for cats and plants alike, since the peels do not touch anything but the soil.

You didn't say if your cat is trying to use the plant as a litterbox, but there are several things you can use to prevent this as well.  I like to use pine cones on top of the soil.  Cats despise the texture of them, and because the cones move about if barely touched, cats find them fearful.  Aluminum foil wadded up into loose balls are scary to cats, as is a very "crackly" type of plastic wrap. If you find using foil or plastic unsightly you can place stones on the top of the soil.  Cats usually will only eliminate in a place where they can spread the soil or sand to cover their litter, and stones are not movable that way!  Plus, I find that stones add a beauty to plants.

These are a few ideas for you.  I hope they help.  I realize I am not answering your question exactly, but as I said, my expertise lies elsewhere.  Perhaps you can direct your question to another expert on the AllExperts site, one who specializes in ALL houseplants.  Good luck.