AT4X versions of the GMC Sierra and Canyon. As far as watering goes, keep your yucca moist but not wet, and allow it to dry completely before watering it again. Watering a weeping fig is, fortunately, a lot simpler than its lighting requirements. Plants also create a safe place for your scaly arboreal pet to hide and feel secure inside their enclosure and provide a suitable surface for them to climb on. It helps to have proper drainage in your chameleon enclosure, so the plants roots dont become soggy, as this will cause its roots and crown to rot over time. These long, leafy vines provide lots of leaf cover and plenty of good hiding spots for shy, reserved lizards like chameleons. One way you can do this is by filling your pets tank with safe live plants for chameleons that will create a tropical and foresty feel inside the cage. The exception to this is hibiscus rosa-sinensis, also known as Chinese hibiscus. If you notice any leaves falling off, its probably getting too much light! They require relatively bright, direct lighting to produce their vibrant coloring, and youll need to trim them pretty regularly to keep them from becoming overgrown and taking over the enclosure. If you choose to implement it in your pets habitat, this unique-looking plant will be loved by both you and your chameleon. They thrive in low light but also do just fine under bright, filtered light, so regardless of where you set it up in your chameleons habitat, the parlor palm will grow happily (albeit slowly) for months and potentially even years to come. Fake plants also cant clean the air inside the enclosure, and they may cause an intestinal obstruction if your chameleon accidentally eats them. Without further ado, lets find out what kind of plants can go in a chameleon cage! True to its name, the spider plant, or Chlorophytum comosum, has long, thin, sturdy leaves which explode outwards from its central trunk. Keep its soil damp, water it regularly, and keep it near bright yet indirect lighting for best results! This plant has lush foliage that offers the perfect shade for your chameleon to hide and chill whenever it pleases. If it goes too long without water, your pothos leaves may start to droop a little and look miserable, but they usually spring back up as soon as they get water. If you want to add a hanging basket inside your chameleons enclosure, the Boston fern is a wonderful option. During the winter, let the soil dry out completely before watering again. They do pretty well in hot and humid environments, making them perfect candidates for a chameleon enclosure. All dragon tree varieties need proper drainage, and they dont tolerate overwatering very well. The biggest benefit of adding a yucca plant to your chameleon tank is that it is one of the most effective plants for air cleaning. Ideally, leave the soil to dry out completely before watering again. We just cannot resist colorful plants, and the hibiscus is perhaps one of the most vibrantly colored plants youll find in a chameleon enclosure. Bear in mind that Ficus Benjamina produces sap when injured or cut, which can irritate your chameleon if they touch or consume it. Bromeliads need to be kept moist, so be sure to water them regularly. Ill just get the first plant I come across, repot it in the enclosure, and hope for the best. However, things arent that simple! Plus, some chameleons like to chew on hibiscus flowers which is a good source of vitamin C. So dont be alarmed if you catch your pet lizard munching on hibiscus flowers, since they are completely safe and wont put your scaly friend in any danger. A mixture of soil, bark, and sand is a good option for growing and maintaining this plant and will ensure good drainage. This chameleon live plants list wouldnt be the same without the jade plant, which is a very popular choice for chameleon enclosures. With its bright purple and varying shades of green leaves, the wandering jew looks great and is fairly easy to care for, even for beginners. You have a wide range of options when it comes to centerpiece plants, but we love the money tree, also known as Pachira aquatica or the Guiana chestnut, for its wide, sturdy, bright green leaves. ), but if kept in your chameleons enclosure and trimmed regularly, you wont need to worry about your rubber tree taking over your home. Its crucial to keep in mind that some plants can irritate your chameleons skin, and others can be toxic if ingested. These plants fare best when placed near bright, indirect light to keep their leaves vibrant and glossy. Some of the links may be affiliate in nature meaning we earn a small commission if an item is purchased. Its known for its tall, vibrant, stalk-like flower, which grows upward from its leaves, which looks a bit like the top of a pineapple. Allow its soil to become completely dry between waterings, and avoid pouring water directly onto the plant to prevent root rot. Theyre also quite attractive and unique to look at, as their foliage has a very unique, pointy appearance compared to some of the more broad, round leaves present on many of the other plants commonly kept in chameleon enclosures. If you notice your rubber tree shedding leaves, youre likely not watering it enough. A forum community dedicated to reptile owners and enthusiasts. Not only are live plants nice to look at, but they also have many important functions inside the chameleons habitat. Keep your Boston fern in a mixture of all-purpose soil with peat moss soil. Even if you arent taking proper care of your plant, the Dracaena will continue to look good for quite some time. Hibiscus plants like bright and direct light, so if the light inside the enclosure isnt enough, youll need to take the plant out and keep it in a bright and sunny location. Updated: September 26, 2021 by Jennifer Munsell. The great thing about parlor palms is they are a low-light plant that does well in darker apartments. Additionally, although this plant likes humidity, it doesnt like to be overwatered, so allow the soil to dry completely between watering. Though it isnt very picky about its conditions, grape ivy tends to shed leaves quickly if overwatered. Water your fern often enough to keep the soil moist but not drenched and avoid letting the soil dry completely between watering. On the other hand, if the leaves turn yellow or white, youre not watering it enough. Since compact varieties stay small and grow very slowly, they can fit inside a tank easily. They need their soil to be consistently moist. This plant gives clear cues when it isnt doing well, so if you notice its leaves starting to turn brown, just add more water, and itll bounce back fairly quickly. Plus, they grow very quickly, so theyll fill up the space fast! Its native to tropical regions of South America, so its perfectly suited for the warm, humid conditions in your chameleons habitat. Another perk to keeping these relatively low-maintenance plants in your chameleons enclosure is that they dont need a lot of light each day to thrive. While there is nothing wrong with plastic plants, per se, they cant help with humidity nor do they hold water droplets as long as live plants. These are attractive, easy to maintain, and theyll also help keep the humidity within your pets natural-looking habitat. I wouldn't use it. Avoid soaking the plant, and just keep the soil moist. They do quite well in warm, humid environments, and they look great alongside some of the other colorful plants on this list, like the croton or polka-dot plant. Live plants, on the other hand, provide adequate cover for your scaly friend to hide, produce oxygen, and help maintain humidity inside the enclosure. Pet health information given on this site is not intended to replace the advice of a certified veterinary professional. Some chameleons may become plant munchers, so it's best to stick with ones that are known to be safe just in case! This means youre fine to place it just about wherever you wish in your chameleons habitat without worrying about it potentially drying out or dying. Featuring thick and glossy green leaves and sturdy stalks for climbing, this plant can easily become the center of the entire habitat.. As its name implies, the rubber tree is a tree, which means it can grow to be several feet tall. Chameleons also really enjoy these plants for hydration, as their long, thin leaves catch water droplets that collect neatly on their tips. To grow and thrive, jade plants need several hours of direct sunlight every day. Their small, light green leaves also hold water droplets well, so your pet will be able to sip water comfortably without feeling anxious or exposed. Although these plants are beautiful and look incredible in any chameleon enclosure setup, you should be aware they are a bit more tricky to care for and maintain properly than most of the other plants on our list here. They enjoy warm, humid temperatures of around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 C) or so, meaning theyll fit in well with your chameleons other plants. These handsome little plants somewhere between a shrub and a tree are sometimes also known as serpent or emerald trees. Chameleons wont object to having a few fake plants inside their enclosure, as long as they are mixed with some live plants, too. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Keep the soil moist at all times, but allow it to dry out a bit if you notice any leaves beginning to turn brown. Youll need to keep the corn plants soil fairly moist most of the time, but its okay to let it dry out a bit in between waterings. The grape ivy is another ideal plant if you want something vine-like to grow along the walls and surfaces of your chameleons habitat. They fare well in the warm, humid conditions typical of chameleon enclosures, though they best under bright, indirect lighting. When it comes to soil, the pothos will do well in any type of well-drained potting soil. The parlor palm is another great plant for chameleon habitat due to its lush green foliage that can easily cover an entire enclosure. It gets its wandering name from how easy it can grow and adapt to various environments, even the hot, humid settings associated with chameleon enclosures. They like to climb, so feel free to encourage them to slowly creep up the walls and surfaces of the enclosure. Simply mist the leaves directly and watch as the droplets pool up at the ends. Keep your hibiscus plant in an all-purpose potting mix and stay on top of repotting, since it doesnt like to be root-bound and prefers to have space inside the pot. While your chameleon likely wont be able to climb on the spider plant (unless theyre a tiny variety of chameleon), they will immensely enjoy using it as plant cover and sipping water droplets off of its long, thin leaves. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact an experienced veterinarian immediately. I stick to good old Schefflera! Lush and green, this compact tree is constantly producing new leaves that create great hiding places for your shy chameleon to get out of sight when they want to. The golden pothos is extremely adaptable and tolerates a wide range of conditions, which makes it an ideal plant for chameleons and people without a green thumb. Water it regularly to keep it moist, and dont allow the soil to dry out for long. Aside from your pet chameleon, plants will be the second thing anyone will notice when looking at your enclosure setup. Remember, chameleons wont drink free-standing water from a dish, so having plenty of plants with large leaves for you to mist regularly is critical to your pets hydration and health. If your chameleon likes to eat plant decorations or you notice that they are eating a lot of rubber tree leaves, its best to remove this plant from the setup. Amazingly, these bush-like plants are capable of growing to 15+ feet! Both types will make a great addition to your tank, and its up to you to decide which variety is better suited for your lizards home. OddlyCutePets is not a veterinary website, nor is the author Wesley Oaks a veterinarian. Although its one of the best live plants for chameleons, the compact dragon tree is slow to show signs of problems. Like we mentioned earlier, you want to avoid overwatering it, so be sure to allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely before watering it again. If youre worried about how much water you need for this plant, just look at its leaf coloration. However, they fare especially well under bright lighting, preferably direct sunlight, when watered once a week or so. While you certainly have the option of using fake plants for these delightful arboreal lizards, weve compiled a list of some of the best natural plants for chameleon enclosures. While the Schefflera arboricola plant can grow up to 6 feet tall, with regular pruning, its easy to keep to a small size of 12 to 24 inches or so in height. Mist its leaves regularly so your chameleon can lick up any water droplets they find when they become thirsty. A classic for many reptile enclosures, golden pothos vines (also known as Devils Ivy or, less commonly, their Latin name, Epipremnum aureum) is a wonderful addition to a chameleon habitat. This means your scaly pet will be breathing fresh air as long as you keep the yucca tree alive. As far as watering goes, the crotons needs are nothing out of the ordinary when it comes to most tropical plants suited for chameleon tanks. First of all, these ficuses prefer to get some actual sunlight. One thing to keep in mind with this plant, like with most centerpiece plants, is it can grow to a considerable size and height. This fleshy succulent will add an exotic feel to the entire enclosure. Ficus elastica prefers partial to full exposure, but it cant stand too much heat or too much light. While this fern is an ideal plant for chameleons, caring for it is another story. When watering your rubber tree, be sure to allow the top layer of soil to dry out almost completely before rewatering. You have plenty of options when it comes to where you plant them in your chameleons habitat. We wanted to include a wide range of colorful plants on this list to truly make chameleon enclosures look great and be comfortable and safe for your pet. There is also no risk that youll end up killing your plants due to overwatering, light exposure, or too much heat. Providing adequate plant cover is crucial to preventing your chameleon from becoming stressed out. They need lots of bright, direct light to produce their brightly colored flowers and leaves, and they need very frequent watering when their flowers begin to bloom. Being an arboreal lizard, your chameleon will especially appreciate being able to climb on the trunk-like canes on the tree. Caring for grape ivy is pretty simple, even for beginners, too! Its woody stems are also sturdy enough for your pet lizard to climb on, although its small and fleshy leaves dont create much coverage. Despite its name, it doesnt produce corn; its name comes from its leaves, which look like corn husks. Virtually impossible to kill, the golden pothos features heart-shaped yellow-green leaves and fast-growing vines that create lush foliage for cover. The corn plant isnt very picky about its lighting, either, though it prefers indirect, bright lighting. Adding plants inside your chameleons enclosure should make it more comfortable and inviting for them, not transform it into a death trap! Since this plant doesnt have deep roots, you wont have to water it often. Its a short, shrub-like plant with lots of brightly colored pink, orange, white, and sometimes red flowers, so dont be surprised if your chameleon takes a liking to munch on them. Many great dracaena species are ideal for chameleon enclosures, but we love this one as a centerpiece plant for its unique-looking foliage and sturdy, thick trunk. When it comes to watering your jade plant, less is more! This plant prefers partial shade, so placing it directly under a heating lamp is a bad move that will probably kill your plant. Its leaves are incredibly vibrant and lovely to look at, especially if you use this as a centerpiece or even an accent within your pets enclosure. This one is a common choice for chameleon enclosures for obvious reasons! On the plus side, fake plants dont require any care and last longer than live plants. Besides keeping its size in check, regular pruning will also encourage your plant to branch out and develop a more shrub-like appearance. Its also flexible and easy to bend and shape to grow in whatever direction you want to better suit your chameleons enclosure setup. Its trunk is somewhat thin yet surprisingly sturdy, so its easy for chameleons to grab onto, climb up, and explore its leafage. While it isnt a particularly exotic or eye-catching plant, its certainly worth using in your pets habitat as one of its main centerpieces. If you dont prune it regularly and keep its growth in check, itll quickly grow to over 5 feet tall! Jennifer is the founder of ReptilesLife and has had a reptile friend since she was seven. any help really appreciated, heres a list of safe plants its a sticky at the top of the forum. Then, out of nowhere, your plant will start to decline fast, and there wont be anything youll be able to do about it. Wax begonias need lots of heat and prefer bright, filtered light, though they do pretty well in lower lighting as well. You can also keep two plants and rotate them between the enclosure and the sunny spot. Yet another low-maintenance plant perfect for chameleon cages is the popular rubber tree, sometimes known as the rubber fig or rubber plant. Dracaena compacta, also known as the compact dragon tree, is another excellent plant for your chameleons enclosure. Hibiscus plants are best known for their elegant and gentle blossoms that come in various shades of purple, red, yellow, orange, and more. Since pothos is a fast grower, you can trim the vines to encourage more density or even start new pothos plants from the cuttings. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. When watering your weeping fig, instead of drenching the soil completely, try to keep it damp. This variety is just as beautiful as the rest of the hibiscus species without being quite as high-maintenance and difficult to grow. You can either place the entire tank near a sunny window or take the plant every few days to a sunny spot to ensure that its getting enough sunlight to thrive. Unlike some of the more common lizards that like to interact with their owners, chameleons are solitary creatures that need plenty of hiding areas to feel comfortable at home. However, most chameleons wont bother with them. Another great thing about pothos is that it grows and thrives in almost any type of lighting. This means itll be right at home in your chameleons tropical habitat. In addition, the spider plant is another great choice for novice plant keepers, as they are pretty low-maintenance and grow well in varied conditions. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry completely between watering and water sparingly so the soil doesnt become soggy. While there are many different types of plants you may have considered at some point, not all of them are completely safe. However, like most plants on this list, the hibiscus will easily adapt to whatever container or enclosure it is housed in. If it begins to slump and its leaves shrivel, it isnt getting enough light. They fare best under indirect, medium light, so keep them away from any basking bulbs. With its sturdy tree-like trunk and long, spiky green leaves, the yucca plant is a great plant for a chameleon habitat. Water your plant thoroughly but allow the surface layer of soil to dry completely before watering again. While all plants listed above are safe and good options, Ive found that the golden pothos is the overall best for chameleon habitats. i was just buying plants for my chameleons enclosure and i came across Hedera Helix (common british ivy) is this safe for chameleons??? Once the roots start to overgrow the pot, replant your rubber tree into a slightly bigger pot, since rubber trees prefer tighter settings. While such a huge plant might look ideal in your home, its size can be a bit over the top for any type of chameleon enclosure if left unchecked. If you want to add some pops of color to your chameleons enclosure aside from the usual greens and browns, look no further than the vibrant croton plant. In addition, they help to maintain the humidity inside the enclosure. Amy used to eat loads of Schefflera leaves when she was tiny! ReptilesLife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Its okay to allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out a bit if youve overwatered it recently; itll bounce back in no time! What makes yucca one of the good plants for chameleons is the fact that it is sturdy enough for your chameleon to climb on it. Jade plants dont mind staying in the same pot for several years before replanting. Weeping figs also dont like to be moved around a lot and will start losing leaves in revolt if they are disturbed too much. They will become quite tall if they are allowed to grow (over 6 feet tall! They also dont like too much heat, so avoid placing your plant near hot UV bulbs and heat lamps. Her posse currently includes a bearded dragon, a blue-tongued skink, and a couple of turtles. In this article, Ill list nine of my favorite plants for chameleons, all of which are completely safe, to help you transform your pets enclosure into a lush and airy home. Overwatering and lack of water are also things that can make your ficus lose leaves and look dull. They fill space very well and grow quickly, so theyll fill out any space in the enclosure in mere weeks. Can you put real plants in a chameleon cage. Its commonly sold at home and garden shops at a reasonable price and is an extremely hardy, reasonably easy to care for plant. You should keep up with regular pruning to keep the rubber trees size under control. They do particularly well under bright, filtered light and will thrive if placed near a window or if your chameleons enclosure happens to already be near one. Featuring a multitude of tiny leaves that grow from thin and long stems, the Boston fern will flow well inside the tank and give it a cozy, foresty feel. Live plants serve many functions inside a chameleon tank and are an important component of the entire habitat. Avoid overwatering, as this will also contribute to root rot. If you cant keep your chameleon tank near a window, take your plant out of the cage and place it in a sunny place once in a while. Youre not going to get much brighter, more lush green leafage than the rubber tree! Thankfully, trimming the plant is relatively easy, and it will maintain its small size depending on the size of the enclosure its kept in. Since the croton is a tropical plant, it fares exceptionally well in hot, humid chameleon enclosures. Its fine to allow the top inch or so of soil to dry out a little in between waterings, but if you notice the plant shedding leaves or any flowers beginning to wilt, youre likely not watering it enough. Just be sure not to overwater this plant! Its native to hot, moist swamplands in Central and South America, so it will fit right in with your pets habitats warm, wet conditions. These tiny shrub-like plants arent sturdy enough for climbing on, but their large, broad leaves provide great plant cover and an excellent spot for your pet to lick water droplets from as they please. Adding live plants inside your pet chameleons enclosure is one of the most important aspects of setting up your pets cage. Thankfully, these plants are quite forgiving and hardy, so theyll bounce back quickly once rewatered properly. As far as watering goes, semi-regular watering is plenty for the dragon tree. Ferns, in general, can be tricky since they need specific lighting and humidity conditions. Best Plants for Chameleon Cages or Enclosures. These attractive, safe plants can grow to up to 5 feet or more, though they will stay fairly small depending on the size of your chameleons enclosure. These little shrubs have massive, irregularly shaped leaves splattered with a rainbow of red, orange, yellow, green, and auburn. Simply water it regularly, avoid overwatering, and allow the top layer of soil to dry almost completely in between waterings. However, its narrow and long leaves dont create much of a hiding space. The bromeliad is a sturdy, beautiful flowering plant commonly used in chameleon enclosures thanks to its colorful appearance and hardy leaves, which are strong enough for your pet to climb on as they please. While its most known for its large, tropical-looking flowers of varying pink, orange, and red shades, its broad leaves are also well suited to providing plant cover. It provides great foliage cover because its leaves are thin yet very densely clustered together. Interestingly, they more closely resemble ferns than a typical palm, and they are on the smaller side like ferns, too. The parlor palm, sometimes referred to as the neanthe bella palm, works great either as a centerpiece or as an accent plant in a chameleon cage, and it thrives extremely well in tropical, humid conditions. The soil should drain between watering but still remain moist. They are very drought tolerant, too, so theyll be fine if you occasionally forget to water them. It does best in around 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 C) and humidity of at least 50%. Keep the wax begonias soil moist but not too wet or oversaturated. This is an important thing to keep in mind if you want to prevent your plant from outgrowing the enclosure in record time. Also sometimes known as the dwarf umbrella tree, this plant is excellent for chameleon enclosures as a centerpiece as it has large, broad, sturdy leaves. Another great thing about this plant is its flowers are safe for chameleons to eat, and most individuals love munching on them from time to time! To prevent loss of foliage, allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. The good news is that all plants from the following list are completely safe for chameleons and wont cause any harm to your pet lizard. Just make sure not to place your fern directly underneath any heat or UV lamps in the enclosure. Even though the China doll plant is somewhat tricky to care for if youre a novice when it comes to plant keeping, theyre certainly worth the effort, as they grow fairly slowly and stay quite small for the entirety of their life if kept in your chameleons enclosure. If you opt for this particular plant, its essential to keep in mind not to confuse it with a very similar species, the Schefflera actinophylla, the Australian umbrella tree, as it is moderately toxic to most animals. These plants look great when combined with other creeping vine-like plants, like the earlier golden pothos. Although it takes quite a while for it to bloom, its certainly worth it when its vibrant red, yellow, and orange flowers emerge from the center of its crown. The golden pothos adapts to various conditions, is easy to care for, and provides your chameleon with everything it needs in terms of climbing, hiding, and eating plant matter. Weeping fig, known officially as Ficus Benjamina, is another member of the ficus family and one of the most popular plants used for chameleon habitats. Perhaps the parlor palms best quality is its versatility. While they do best in fairly bright lighting, they are just as happy under dim lighting too. The dwarf umbrella tree is especially great for providing spaces for your chameleon to drink water droplets from its leaves. Caring for the Boston fern is also quite simple, though youll need to ensure its soil is always kept damp. 18 Best Plants For Chameleon Enclosures (With Pictures). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The dragon trees leaves look a bit like the spider plants with more length and height. This palm isnt a fan of overwatering, and its leaves will start to turn brown if you go overboard with water.