I have two beautiful tall pots in my Florida lanai, which is also home to my two cats. One of the pots has a big Agave desmettiana in it and the cats have learned that this is a plant best left alone. The other has had a succession of plants in it that have not deterred the cats from getting in and on it. I need a full plant that covers the entire pot and that also will discourage the cats from either digging around the plant or getting on top of it to play with the basket that is hanging above it. The pot has an inside diameter of appr. 12 inches. I'd love to get some suggestions!

Can you show us a photo Hetty? Maybe even a photo of the area the pot is in. That might give us some ideas on what would look good.

Here is the pot in the corner of my lanai

Try bamboo sticks poking up in the planter - I had to do that to the catnip I have outside. The neighbor cats would jump in the pot and roll around before I stuck the sticks around in it. Now they only take bites out of the pieces hanging over the side of the pot! Or you could place chicken wire over the top of it. Then place whichever plant(s) you choose through the holes in the wire.

I hope you find a solution!!

I tried the bamboo sticks before. They are completely impervious to them!

I'm not sure which pot your talking about Hetty. Looks like they all have gorgeous, large plants filling the pots up?

I would use Carol's idea and put more bamboo sticks (closer together) and maybe a little taller than you previously did. If you fill the area with even very short bamboo sticks (so they really don't show much), then the cats can't even step into the pot.

I went back and read your first post, I now understand it is the second pot (not shown in the photo) that you need plant suggestions for.
Hmmm, something large enough to cover the 12" surface. That would do well in your lovely lanai growing conditions.

This will take some research for me, I have totally different growing conditions from yours. On my way to search for something wonderful and unusual.

Thank you Lynn! The pot is a twin to the one shown and lives in the opposite corner.
If I could afford one I would plant a huge barrel cactus in it! I have one in my front succulent area but it is doing so well there that I would hate to upset it.

Some suggestions.

Mammillaria huitzilopochtli


Echinocereus triglochidiatus Claretcup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus)
I fell in love with these when we were in NM this last spring. They were so beautiful in all the gardens and in their natural habitat, out in the desert.

Eriosyce chilensis var. albidiflora


Mammillaria zeilmanniana http://www.cactus-art.biz/sche...


Sulcorebutia glomeriseta


I don't think the cats would want to lay on top of, or snuggle up against any of these.

Yes, a cactus has come to mind, and those are all beautiful. However, it would have to be big enough to fill the complete top of the container or they will meander around it and dig in the dirt around it. I've seen them do it!! This is why I would love to have a HUGE Barrel cactus, but a mature specimen is about $ 150 +.....
I had a similar but smaller Agave in the pot before and they pretty much ruined it.

Wow, that really is a problem. How about getting a smaller specimen (less money) and putting lots of bamboo sticks that you can remove as the cactus gets larger?

That might be an idea.
I am also toying with the idea of planting a big Bromeliad clump (the spiky kind), which again would have to be big enough to fill the complete top of the pot.
I really want the cats and the plants to be able to live in the same space....but I've had to remove quite a few plants already

Can you give them a pot of their very own?

You mean, like - catnip?

Bet they would love that.

Same problem here, not my cats we don't get along but wild feral cats. What about pepper, let them sneeze all the time they are in the pot.
Piper nigrum is quite frost hardy vine/bush/spineless tree and will bear fruit. You can dry it to make white pepper or boil it to get black pepper. Procedure must be on net.
Regards,
Masud.

Down towards the bottom of page: http://www.naturland.de/filead...

. Lynn you are a walking encyclopaedia . This bush is good looking but it has to be kept under control if it is being grown in the ground. Under farming conditions give it free reign and it crops heavily.
Not in vain, I will read every word.
Regards,
Masud.

Makes my mouth water thinking of having my own piper tree.

I wonder, do you use curry patta leaves(patta=leaves)? You can use this plants also to add a pepper flavour to salads and dishes,
Regards,
Masud.

Thank you for the suggestions, Masud. I don't think a pepper tree is what I am after for that particular spot.