How to Grow Cat Grass From Seed

Because you grow cat grass indoors in a tray, there is no season to wait for. You can sow it any time of year, in any climate, on a windowsill or under a grow light. The trick to a steady supply is succession sowing: start a fresh tray every one to two weeks so a new one is always coming up as the last one gets grazed down. That way your pets always have tender young blades, which are the ones they like best.

Use a shallow tray about two to three inches deep with drainage holes, and fill it with an organic potting mix or coconut coir. If you like, soak the seeds in cool water for 6 to 12 hours first to speed up sprouting, though it is optional. Scatter the seeds thickly and evenly across the moist surface, then press them in gently. Do not bury them, since cat grass sprouts best sitting right at the surface. Mist well, cover the tray with a humidity dome or loose plastic wrap to hold moisture, and keep it around 65 to 75F. Seeds usually sprout in two to four days.

You can also grow cat grass without soil. Spread soaked seeds on a few damp paper towels or a shallow hydroponic tray, keep them moist and covered until they root, then let the blades grow up. A soil-free method is handy if your cat likes to dig, and it keeps the tray cleaner indoors.

Once the seeds sprout, uncover the tray and move it to bright indirect light or under a grow light, at normal room temperature around 65 to 75F. Keep the mat of soil evenly moist but never soggy, misting or watering lightly as it dries. Good airflow is the other half of the job: a little air movement around the tray helps prevent mold and mildew, which are the most common problems with cat grass. Grown this way, the blades shoot up fast and stay a fresh, tender green.

Cat grass is ready to offer when the blades reach about four to six inches tall, usually around 7 to 10 days from sowing. You can either set the whole tray out for your pet to nibble, or snip blades with clean scissors and offer a small handful at a time. Rinse cut grass before giving it to pets, and start with small amounts. Trimmed grass keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for about five to seven days. Reseed a fresh tray every one to two weeks so you always have a young, tender batch coming on.

Many cats graze on grass by instinct, and a tray of fresh cat grass gives them a clean, safe place to do it indoors. The tender blades add a little fiber to their day, which many owners find helps with digestion and with passing the occasional hairball. It also gives an indoor cat something natural to chew on instead of your houseplants. This blend of barley, oat, rye, and wheat grasses is enjoyed by more than just cats. Dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs will happily nibble it too, so one tray can serve the whole household of pets.

• Mold or mildew on the soil: almost always from overwatering or still air. Water less, add airflow, and use fresh soil for each new batch.
• Pale or leggy blades: the grass needs more light. Move the tray to a brighter window or add a grow light.
• Cat digging in the soil: grow it soil-free on paper towels, or top the soil with a layer of clean pebbles so your cat gets the blades but not the dirt.
• Uneven or patchy sprouting: soak the seeds 6 to 12 hours before sowing, scatter them thickly and evenly, and keep the surface consistently moist until they come up.