Mooncat is Getting Nerf Grow a Garden, No More Getting Huge Plants!

The latest patch in Grow a Garden has sparked massive debate in the community. Players are calling it the biggest nerf in the game’s history, and it all revolves around the popular Moon Cat method. What makes this update even more frustrating is that it wasn’t officially announced — making it yet another shadow nerf. Let’s break down what changed, why players are upset, and what alternatives you can use now.

What Was the Moon Cat Method?

The Moon Cat (and other cats like the Orange Tabby) had a special ability:

• Every 80–90 seconds, the cat would nap for 15 seconds.
• After waking up, fruits within a 15-stud radius grew 1.53x larger.
• The effect stacked with multiple cats, allowing players to grow massive plants such as Bone Blossoms.

This stacking feature made Moon Cats one of the best pets for farming huge plants, and the strategy became widely known as the Moon Cat method.

What Changed in Patch 1883?

According to the wiki and player testing, the latest update brought a major nerf:

• Catnap abilities no longer stack.

This means no matter how many Moon Cats you own, their growth boosts will not multiply. For players who relied on the Moon Cat method, this is a massive blow since the entire strategy revolved around stacking effects.

Some players have confirmed this nerf in practice, while others report the method still works under certain conditions. This confusion is why many believe it might be a bug rather than an intentional nerf. Unfortunately, the developers haven’t made any official statements, leaving the community in the dark.

Is It a Bug or a Nerf?

Here’s what players are saying:

• Some report success: A few players on Reddit and Discord claim the Moon Cat method still works, especially without sprinklers.
• Others say it’s broken: Many can’t replicate the stacking effect, suggesting it has been patched out.
• No dev notes: With no announcement, players don’t know if this was a deliberate change or an accidental bug.

Until the developers clarify, the status of Moon Cats remains uncertain.

Alternatives to the Moon Cat Method

If you want a reliable replacement, the Shroomie Pet (Shroomie) from the Fairy Event is your best bet. Here’s how it works:

• Increases plant size by 0.005x per fungus-type plant in your garden.
• Max bonus of 1.5x per Shroomie, just like the Moon Cat.
• With multiple Shrooms, you can stack the effect up to insane levels.

The downside is that it’s much harder to set up since you’ll need up to 300 fungus plants for maximum efficiency. But if you can farm the resources, it’s a strong long-term alternative.

The Moon Cat nerf in Grow a Garden has left players frustrated, especially since it was introduced without clear communication. Whether this was an intentional balance change or just a bug remains unclear, but one thing is certain — the Moon Cat method is not as reliable as before.

If you’re looking to keep your garden thriving, consider switching to the Shroomie method while waiting for an official developer update. Hopefully, future patches will either restore the Moon Cat’s abilities or provide more transparency on balance changes.