Asia's booming high-rise condo market is driving explosive growth in catnip and cat grass sales, with the Asia-Pacific region commanding a $42.6 million market share in 2024 and projected to grow at 7% annually through 2031, the fastest rate globally.
- Asia is home to approximately 400 million domestic cats, with millions living in high-rise apartments where cats are better suited than dogs
- The global catnip and cat grass market reached $185.5 million in 2024, with Asia-Pacific capturing roughly 23% of this share
- Cat grass refill seeds are the fastest-selling product, while hydroponic kits are preferred by condo dwellers due to less cleanup required
- Asia's pet cat market is experiencing 7% compound annual growth through 2031, the fastest growth rate worldwide
- Popular products include seeds, hydroponic kits, tablets, powder supplements, and silver vine treats available on platforms like Lazada, Shopee, and Temu
The surge in condo living across Asia's major cities is creating a lucrative premium market opportunity for growers of catnip and cat grass. As high-rise residents seek ways to keep their confined pets healthy and stimulated, these accessible horticulture products for cats are becoming top of mind.
Asia is home to an estimated 400 million domestic cats, with millions living with their owners in densely populated high-rise apartments. Cats are better suited to condo living than dogs, which partly explains why cat populations have eclipsed those of dogs in Japan, China, Taiwan and most countries in Southeast Asia.
Inexpensive and widely available, catnip and cat grass — fresh or dried — represent a $185.5 million global market, according to India-based Cognitive Market Research and Consulting.
The Asia-Pacific region commanded roughly 23% of this global share in 2024, which puts current regional revenue at about $42.6 million, with a 7% compound annual growth rate — the fastest growth rate in the world. The projection runs through 2031, giving producers and sellers enough time to capture the market by offering refill seeds and grown plants or specialized pet food embedded with these green ingredients.
Seeds, hydroponic kits and tablets
Cat owners can find catnip and cat grass do-it-yourself kits, refill seeds and ready-to-use treats at low prices through online platforms like Lazada Singapore and Shopee Philippines. They can also opt to buy fully grown potted plants or soilless hydroponic kits.
Industry data puts the global cat grass refill seeds market at $228.4 million in 2024 and projects it to reach $393.7 million by the end of 2033. Refill seeds sell the fastest, but condo dwellers prefer the hydroponic variety because it requires less cleanup. Live plants give cats something to chew on right away, but their shorter shelf life prompts owners to make repeat purchases quickly.
In hyper-convenient markets like South Korea and Japan, cats can enjoy "cat grass tablets" and powder supplements. These products blend dehydrated wheatgrass fibers into easy-to-feed formats and are offered as premium wellness products for hairball control and digestive support.
Because catnip and cat grass are easy and cheap to grow, they offer growers a low barrier to entry into the pet care market and a high-margin premium opportunity.
Silver vine
Providing condo-bound pet cats with potted cat grass or catnip plants gives them a "taste" of natural greenery. Cat grass, which typically includes wheatgrass, barley grass, oat grass and rye grass, supplies cats with natural plant fiber that aids digestion and hairball elimination.
Catnip, on the other hand, contains an essential oil that triggers playful or relaxed behavior in most cats.
Then there's silver vine, a plant native to parts of China, Japan and Korea that has a stronger effect on cats. Silver vine cat products are also widely available on Temu, Shopee and Lazada, either as standalone treats or blended with catnip for maximum effectiveness.
