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This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the possible plants you can use in an enclosure. The following lists of plants have been found in two or more herpetoculture books or articles.
The appearance of plants on this list does not necessarily mean that they are not toxic to all reptiles. Many of the following recommendations are based on the knowledge that the animals typically housed in such environments will or will not eat them. If considering other plants, or using any of the following plants in for animals not usually associated with those habitats, please cross-check them against the Harmful & Poisonous Plants, Plants Causing Mechanical Injury, and Edible Ornamental Plants lists and other safe and toxic resources available on- and off-line.
Lighting
Depending on the size and width of the enclosure, install at least 2-6 fluorescent tubes, running the length of the enclosure. Use UVB-producing fluorescents if required by the reptiles in the enclosure; otherwise, you can use plant grow lights. If using a mixture of the two, remember to install the the UVB-producing fluorescent tubes correctly to ensure the reptile is getting adequate exposure (placing them so the tubes are not separated from the lizard by by glass or plastic, are within 8-15" of the reptile where it spends most of its basking and lounging time, etc.) and to replace the UVB-producing tubes annually.
Plants for Desert Environments
The following are suitable for architectural and topographical interest but are generally not suitable as basking and perching plants.
Snake plants (Sanseveria sp.)
S. aethiopica
S. caniculata
S. kirkii pulchra
S. parva
S. pinguicula
S. sinularis
S. thyrsiflora
S. trifasciata
Caudiciforms ("caudex" refers to the stem which stores water for the plant) such as Aloes:
Dwarf Aloe (Aloe variegata, A. jucunda)
Climbing Aloe (Aloe ciliaris)
Lace Aloe (Aloe aristata)
Bromeliads (except species with spines)
Caudexed Figs* (Ficus petiolaris, F. palmeri)
Ceropegias vines
Cow- or Oxtongue, Bowtie (Gasteria) - cut off any sharp tips
Elephant Trees (Bursera)
Gasterhaworthia "Royal Highness"
Geraniums (Pelargonium)
Grapes (Cissus and Cyphostema)
Haworthias
Ponytail Palms (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Thornless cacti
Tillandsia (Air plants; Spanish Moss; Air Moss)
There are two primary forms the 500 or so species of this type of bromeliad. Before buying any Tillandsia, make sure it is a form that will grow well in the environment into which you are planning to put it.
While most Tillandsia are found growing on trees or rocks, some are also found in desert regions. Some, those with green leaves and a root formation but no scales, may be grown as epiphytes or can be planted in soil. Some of these species include:
T. anceps
T. brachycaulos
T. cyanea
T. lineniana
Others are strictly epiphytes ("air plant"), noted by their dense covering of grey scales and generally without roots. These are the ones that can be grown on rough tree trunks, the joints of branches, and in or on other structures and artifacts. They need bright light and frequent spraying with water or periodic soaking in water. Epiphyte forms include:
T. bulbosa
T. Ionantha
T. usneoides
Temperate and Tropical Plants
Depending on the width of the enclosure, at least 2-4 plant lights should be installed, running the length of the enclosure. Use UVB-producing fluorescents if required by the reptiles in the enclosure; otherwise, you can use plant grow lights. If using a mixture of the two, remember to install the the UVB-producing fluorescent tubes correctly to ensure the reptile is getting adequate exposure (placing them so the tubes are not separated from the lizard by by glass or plastic, are within 8-15" of the reptile where it spends most of its basking and lounging time, etc.) and to replace the UVB-producing tubes annually.
Most of these plants fare well in daytime temperatures in the mid-80s (29-30 C), and can tolerate nighttime drops into the mid-60s (18-19 C).
Bromeliads (Aechmea, Billbergia, Guzmania, Neoregelia) - clip spines
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Creeping Fig* (Ficus pumila)
Corn Plant (Draceneas - until they outgrow enclosure)
Dwarf Schefflera (Brassaia actinophylla)
Earth Stars (Cryptanthus)
Gesneriads (Aeschynanthus, Nematanthus)
Orchids (Dendrobium, Epidendurm, Haemaria, Oncidium)
Peacock Plant (Calathea stromata; Marantaceae)
Peperomia (Peperomia obtusifolia, Piperacaeae)
Ponytail Palms (Beaucarnea recurvata)
Pothos (Scindapsus aureus, Epipremnum aureum)
Rosary Vine (Ceropegia woodii)
Sanseveria trifasciata, including the following cultivars: Bentel's Sensation, Laurenti, Moonshine, Gray Lady.
Sanseveria parva, including cultivars: Hahnii, Hahnii "Loop's Pride", Hahnii Silver Frost, Golden Hahnii.
Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus inserta)
Virginia Spiderwort* (Tradescantia virginiana)
Wandering Jew* ( Tradescantia zebrina)
Weeping Figs* (Ficus benjamina)
* = There has been some concern expressed about the milky sap that oozes from broken leaves and twiglets of the various Ficus species. The sap may be an eye/skin irritant to the animal that brushes up against it and gets it in their eyes (as may happen by accident in passing or when rubbing the eyelid against it as it gets ready to shed).
Aquatic Plants
Turtles are more destructive to plants than are fish. Turtles use plants as food, to hide in, and to swim through. They bang into them with considerably more impact that your usual aquarium fish. Water plants help increase the oxygen content of the water as well as lower the level of nitrates. The following aquatic plants are considered hardy for use in aquatic and semi-aquatic turtle enclosures.
Temperate
Arrowhead (Sagittaria sublata)
Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis)
Common Eel Grass (Vallisneria spiralis)
Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans)
Hair Grass (Eleocharis acicularis)
Java Fern (Microsorium pteropus)
Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana)
Water Hyacinth (Eichornia sp.)
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water Trumpet (Cryptocoryne ciliata, C. nevillii)
Tropical
Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis)
Water Hyacinth (Eichornia sp.)
Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Water Trumpet (Cryptocoryne cordata)
Brackish
Arrowhead (Sagittaria sublata)
Canadian Pondweed (Elodea canadensis)
Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans)
Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana)
Water Trumpet (Cryptocoryne ciliata, C. nevilii)
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