How to Stop Pets From Eating Hosta Plants

Hosta plants, also known as plantain lily or funkia, are popular garden plants. They come in wide variety of colors and shapes, and are hardy and easy to grow. Hosta are a member of the Liliaceae family. According to the ASPCA, these beautiful plants are poisonous, and potentially toxic, if ingested by cats and dogs. Do not allow your pets to eat hosta plants.

Things You'll Need

• Chili Powder
• Vinegar
• Biodegradable coffee filters
• Scissors
• Cotton balls
• Rubbing alcohol
• Ammonia
• Citrus fruits
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Spray bottle

Instructions

Chili Powder

1. Sprinkle chili powder around the base of the hosta plant.

2. Apply the chili powder liberally to the leaves. Dogs and cats dislike the taste and smell of chili powder. They will quickly learn that the plant does not taste as good as they hoped.

3. Reapply every few weeks and after rainstorms.

4. Substitute cayenne pepper or black pepper if chili powder is not available.

Vinegar

1. Soak biodegradable coffee filters with vinegar.

2. Place the filters in the sun to dry.

3. Cut the filters into small pieces.

4. Place filter pieces around the hosta plants. Dogs and cats do not like the smell of vinegar and will avoid the plants.

5. Soak cotton balls in vinegar and place around the hostas as an alternative to the coffee filters. Rubbing alcohol or ammonia can be used to replace the vinegar.

Citrus

1. Cut up oranges, lemons and any other available citrus fruits. Enjoy the fruits.

2. Place the rinds around the hosta plants. Dogs and cats dislike citrus smell and will avoid the area.

3. Mix together lemon juice and water.

4. Place the juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray the hosta plant with the citrus mixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not allow your pets to spend time unsupervised in the yard.

• Keep cats indoors and away from hosta plants.

• Fence the area containing hosta and other potentially poisonous plants.

• Talk to a veterinarian about your pet's diet. They may be eating the hosta, and other plants, to supplement something missing in their diet.

• If you suspect your pet has ingested a hosta plant, call your veterinarian immediately. You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. Fees may apply.

• Do not place vinegar, ammonia or rubbing alcohol directly onto plants or in the soil. They may damage the plants.

References

• ASPCA
• Cat Problems Solved
• Homemade Dog Repellents

Resources

• Perfect Perennials