If you’ve ever had any questions,
Below, I address your most frequently asked questions on habitat and diet for bearded dragon plants.
What Flowers Can Bearded Dragons Eat?
Have you ever wondered what plants bearded dragons can eat? Well, why not think about occasionally giving their bearded dragon tiny amounts of fresh flowers if you’re searching for a fun and colorful way to spice up their salads?
Bearded dragons can actually consume flowers. We frequently respond to queries like:
- Do bearded dragons consume dandelion seeds?
- Are rose petals edible to bearded dragons?
- Can hibiscus blooms be eaten by bearded dragons?
- Can bearded dragons consume non-African violets?
- Dahlias are edible to bearded dragons.
- Are daylilies palatable to bearded dragons?
- Are geraniums edible to bearded dragons?
- Bearded dragons are able to consume carnations.
- Are pansies edible to bearded dragons?
But a word of caution: don’t let your bearded dragon eat any of the thorns or stems.
Also, be sure you’re not presenting flowers you selected at random that can contain pesticides.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Herbs?
Because they flavor most foods, humans enjoy their herbs. It makes sense to wonder if your bearded dragons will be able to benefit from these great plants.
Numerous inquiries such as “Can bearded dragons consume basil? Some of the most frequently asked questions about herbs are answered below:
- Do bearded dragons consume grass? Yes, but it’s not very nutritious.
- Will cilantro feed bearded dragons? judiciously, as an ingredient in a salad.
- What about parsley for bearded dragons? Yes, but only occasionally.
- Is oregano edible to bearded dragons? Yes, as a treat now and then.
- Can bearded dragons consume thyme? once in a while, as a pleasure.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Succulents?
Even humans can eat many succulents, so it seems sense to question if your bearded dragon can as well. The two inquiries we receive the most are, “Succulents: Can bearded dragons consume them? & “Bearded dragons can eat aloe vera, right?
Yes to both inquiries as long as you stick to non-toxic succulents. However, your bearded dragon is probably going to have diarrhea from these plants because of how much water they contain.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Basil?
Given how common basil is in our life, it becomes sense that someone could be curious,
After all, if cultivated in one’s kitchen, it is most likely organic and technically a leafy green. It seems to be fairly safe, no?
Basil can be eaten by bearded dragons, but it shouldn’t be a regular part of their diet, despite the fact that they can.
Therefore, even if you might enjoy making homemade pesto on a weekly basis, Caprese salad, artisan cocktails, and other dishes that feature basil, your bearded dragon would do best with occasional exposure to the herb.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mint?
Similar to basil, you can occasionally give your bearded dragon mint. It should not, however, be fed every day.
Bearded dragons frequently develop a liking for mint, which makes them picky salad eaters when it’s absent.
If you want to feed it every day, try giving it very little food and splitting it up or rubbing it on other salad ingredients to get its attention.
Is Cactus Safe for a Bearded Dragon’s Habitat?
Some experts contend that certain cacti types thrive in a bearded dragon habitat, but others counter that the chance of your dragon harming himself or herself on the spikes is excessively high. This issue is somewhat contentious.
There is no need to take a chance with a cactus when there are so many other safer plant selections available to please my bearded dragon.
Buyer’s Tip: If you’re bent on utilizing cactus for decorative purposes, there are plenty of lovely, lifelike-looking artificial cacti that are far safer and less work-intensive options.
What Is a Safe Wood for Bearded Dragon Habitats?
I considered it crucial to give some secure solutions in this post because many people want to use wood in their dragon’s home.
To get rid of any insects and parasites, roast any wood you bring in from outdoors for at least 30 minutes at 320 degrees before placing it in your bearded dragon’s habitat.
- Dogwood
- Oak
- Lilac Tree
- Maple
- Myrtle Crepe
Is Pine Wood Safe for Bearded Dragons?
Unfortunately, pine is one of the few types of wood that bearded dragons should not consume because it is highly harmful to reptiles.
- Eucalyptus
- Cedar
- thorny wood of any kind
- Wood treated chemically
What succulent plants can bearded dragons safely eat?
Reptiles can safely consume succulents like Aeonium, Schlumbergera, Haworthia, Echeveria, Stapelia, x Pachyveria, Lithops, and Sempervivum as well as prickly pears and dragon fruits.
Succulent plants’ leaves, in particular, are a favorite snack of reptiles. These plants give them a tasty food in the form of thick, sensitive leaves. It can be difficult to choose succulents that are safe for your reptile, though, because there are so many different varieties in the wild.
The succulents that reptiles can consume are listed in the following table along with their scientific names:
Aeonium’ Tree houseleek’
- Aeonium, scientific name
- The term “tree houseleek”
- Canary Islands native
- The Crassulaceae family
- Aeonium, a genus
Succulent aeoniums grow in arid environments. They stand out by having huge, thick petals. Depending on the area where they grow, they come in a variety of sizes. Those that grow in Moroccan soil differ from those from the Canary Islands in certain ways.
Schlumbergera’ Christmas cactus’
- Schlumbergera Schlumberger, S.
- Common names include crab cactus and Christmas cactus.
- Originally from: southeast Brazil
- the Cactaceae family
- Schlumbergera, genus
Lilac blossoms are commonly found on Christmas cacti. These succulents have a maximum height of 12 inches. Usually, they are simple to cultivate and maintain. Warmer temperatures are necessary for them to bloom.
For the majority of reptile species, the Christmas cactus is a nourishing succulent. Since they don’t have spines on the stem, they are safe for reptiles.
Succulents: Are they toxic to reptiles?
Succulents and reptiles complement each other like peanut butter and jelly. Live plants and herps are interacting with one another in captivity more than ever since bio-active vivariums are becoming more and more popular with lizard enthusiasts and other scale-sniffers.
Make sure the plants you choose for your reptile fulfill their needs and won’t harm it. A few succulents can be toxic to reptiles, however the majority are not. This list of plants that you can rely on to protect your pet reptilian overlord, *cough*, was created for that reason.
In the event of an accidental nibble, none of these plants are poisonous to reptiles. Additionally, none of them have especially sharp spines, so your pet will also be shielded from harm. You must decide if the care each succulent requires fits with your reptile’s requirements for humidity and light after reading our descriptions of each one.
Are Jade succulents edible to bearded dragons?
Keep in mind that there are at least 500 known species in the genus Aloe, which is a sizable one. Stick to smaller kinds and cultivars because some of these species can get quite huge and resemble trees in size.
While the majority of aloe plants have green or greenish leaves, some have really attractive mottled patterns.
Dwarf Jade Plants (Portulacaria afra)
Dwarf jade plants often develop into little trees in the wild and are indigenous to the arid, rocky regions of eastern South Africa.
They may, however, be kept quite tiny with routine pruning, which is one of the reasons bonsai enthusiasts also like them.
Bearded dragons are not believed to be hazardous to dwarf jade plants, and people even consume the leaves in salads.
However, it’s crucial to distinguish between the Portulacaria afra, or dwarf jade plant, that we’re talking about here and the more common (and comparable-looking) jade plant (Crassula ovata).
The latter is somewhat poisonous, while the former is regarded to be fully safe.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
This common culinary herb is a decent addition to your bearded dragon’s habitat.
Basil grows best outdoors, but with care and excellent lighting, it may also be made to thrive indoors (for example, in the enclosure that houses your dragon). Basil does great in a terrarium since it grows best when kept at a moderate temperature.
Basil is indigenous to Southeast Asia’s damp climates, which is obviously not a very similar environment to that of your bearded dragon.
However, because the plant does not tolerate wet roots well, you can typically give it enough water to survive because the substrate of your bearded dragon has efficient drainage.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley is an excellent choice for your bearded dragon’s enclosure and is another common culinary plant.
If correctly configured, parsley can be grown indoors, however it thrives in actual sunlight.
Nevertheless, it can persist for a time in warm, well-lit terraria before starting to become quite spindly.
The fact that parsley is not only a food plant but also a reasonably nutritional one makes it the perfect choice for installation in your bearded dragon’s habitat.
Parsley can be grown in your habitat to make sure your pet always has access to nice, eatable vegetation. Some keepers regularly add parsley on their pet’s food.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Another herb you might want to think about including in your dragon’s habitat is oregano.
Although your bearded probably won’t be too interested in it, oregano is safe, tasty, and devoid of any other potential hazards like thorns.
The Mediterranean region of Europe and western Asia are the natural home of oregano, where it thrives in the region’s somewhat warm and dry climate.
Additionally, oregano needs a soil or substrate with great drainage, just as many other plants. Oregano is an excellent choice for the habitat of your bearded dragon because of both of these qualities.
Mulberry (Morus spp.)
The mulberry is a woody plant that frequently develops into a true tree, in contrast to the succulents and plants we’ve already discussed.
This implies that you’ll need to constantly prune it to maintain it small enough to fit in your pet’s habitat, and even then, owners who give their dragon a relatively tall enclosure will benefit from having it the most.
Mulberry plants should usually be kept in a separate pot rather than being planted directly in the substrate of your lizard’s habitat because they need more water and moisture than the other plants we’ve talked about.
In order to make sure the plant gets enough sunlight, this will also make it simple to move it outdoors on a regular basis.
Can I have live succulents in the tank with my bearded dragon?
For your dragon’s cage, succulents are an excellent choice because they will add a lot of elegance and are simple to maintain.
Just make sure you only purchase nontoxic succulents because many of them are not suitable for ingestion by dragons.
Keep an eye on how much your bearded dragon is consuming, as with any delicacy, as too much might cause diarrhea.
Check out this fantastic post about making dirt substrate if you intend to plant your succulent!
Jade Plant
Jade plants can withstand extremely dry circumstances, therefore they will thrive in a bearded dragon’s tank in addition to looking pleasant and green.
However, since such intense light could definitely harm the plant, I advise placing them on the opposite end from the UVB light.
However, I suggest placing it in soil to keep it alive and prevent it from dying.
Can I place a real cactus in the tank with my bearded dragon?
Plant life is a crucial component of a bearded dragon’s habitat, in addition to UVB light and heat lamps. Plants are attractive to bearded dragons because they offer cover from light sources and cover for when they feel threatened or under pressure from other creatures in the tank.
Here are 11 secure plants for the tank of your bearded dragon:
Ficus
One of the greatest safe plants to place in a bearded dragon’s aquarium is a ficus plant. They grow from cuttings, so they don’t require replanting. It is a good idea to position these plants where bearded dragons can easily access them because they will eat the leaves from them.
The subtropical Ficus thrives outdoors in the summer but needs to be kept within when the temperature falls below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It thrives indoors since it doesn’t need a lot of light or water, and if it’s taken care of properly, it won’t need to be replanted for years.
There are numerous types, some of which are fairly well-known, such as weeping figs, so named because they hang down from their branches like “tails.”
Aloe Vera Plant
Bearded dragons love aloe vera plants because they provide a safe haven for them to hide and sleep. They can also make shaded regions in the bearded dragon’s enclosure.
Aloe vera plants are an excellent addition to help imitate this type of climate because they are frequently found in the natural habitat of reptiles, which is dry and semi-dry places.
To prevent the roots of your aloe vera plants from becoming overly crowded and spreading out across the ground, which could harm the substrate, make sure the reptile pet’s enclosure has adequate room.
Additionally, pick small aloe vera plant species since they are easier to manage in enclosures.
To avoid overwatering that could harm the plant and endanger the pet reptile, the succulent will need to get the barest amount of water.
Jade Plant (Portulacaria afra)
Jade plants thrive in both dry and moist environments, making them ideal for bearded dragon tanks. They don’t require much light, so you can put them on the tank’s backside where they’ll get less sunshine than other plants.
Jade is particularly low care because it grows slowly and needs little maintenance, making it ideal for vivariums that require little disruption.
The glossy, green leaves of these plants are not poisonous to bearded dragons. They can be used as ornamental plants in bear habitats.
- To make good use of the limited area, put a dwarf species of jade plant in the reptile pet’s aquarium.
- Maintaining the jade plant’s tiny size and preventing it from occupying too much space at the detriment of your pet lizard requires frequent pruning.
Precaution: Some jade plant species, including Crassula ovata, may have a low toxicity level for lizards. Make sure to purchase the Portulacaria afra jade plant for your pet’s aquarium.
Prickly pear cactus
Cactus species that are edible, such the Opuntia species, are consumed by bearded dragons. Prickly pear cactus is a fantastic choice if you want to give the bearded dragon’s tank some color without introducing any invasive species.
- The spines on prickly pear cacti can be used by your pet as a climbing aid.
- It is an excellent vegetable to give your gecko.
- The level of moisture is high.
- When your pet consumes the cactus, they will get more hydrated.
Due to their capacity for storing moisture from rainwater within unique cells around their stems and leaves when they are developing in times of abundance as well as during drought periods, prickly pear cactus flourish in dry environments. They will therefore need very little maintenance once planted in the gecko’s environment.
Bromeliads
Bearded dragons typically spend a portion of their time in trees and bushes, hiding out behind leaves for shelter. They have also been observed chewing on dead limbs and leaves. It is advisable to include plants with bark or dead leaf debris in your bearded dragon’s habitat because of these two activities.
Bromeliads are a great option because they will offer the following advantages:
- For chewing, the surface is rather rough.
- Bromeliads are excellent for adding extra protection from the heat and light that can overstress your pet during the day.
Here are some excellent bromeliads for the tank of your bearded dragon:
- Arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
- Orchid from Ivory Towers (Cyrtopodium punctatum)
- Tillandsia usneoides, sometimes called Java fern and Spanish moss tree
Echeveria
Bearded dragons can find a secure hiding place to rest and play in echeveria plants. They are safe for your pet and can be wonderful additions to the habitat of your bearded dragon because they are not harmful to reptiles.
Because echeveria plants are succulents, they require less water and prefer cooler temperatures. For reptiles who prefer to stay cool in their tanks without heating it up with high-temperature lamps above or basking stations at the bottom of the enclosure, they make the perfect plant.
These plants can be found growing in soil or on rocks, and they have a variety of morphologies, including small rosettes of leaves that are closely spaced, long-stemmed variants that droop like an umbrella, enormous clumps of tapered, sword-like leaves up to 18 inches broad, and some even contain flowers.
They require relatively little maintenance and do nicely in terrariums. If you want to put your beardie’s enclosure on display in a prominent location in your home, you may also use them as ornamental plants.
Spider plant
Any bearded dragon tank would benefit from the inclusion of the spider plant. These plants will offer shade and humidity to reptile pets and are perfectly safe for them.
You’ll have lots of variety to choose from when planning the landscape of your enclosure thanks to the 16 distinct species of this type of plant!
For the spider plant to develop healthily and happily, place it on the side of the vivarium that receives bright to moderate light. To keep the plant from expanding and overcrowding the tank, you might need to cut it frequently.
Don’t give your bearded dragon any spider plants, please. It is unknown if this sap will make them uncomfortable.
Snake plants
Bearded dragons can consume snake plants without harm. If you’re searching for a low-maintenance addition to your tank’s landscape, they are some of the best plants to pick. Since they grow slowly and don’t require much light, feeding them is also not a problem.
- Long leaves on snake plants, also known as mother-in-tongue, law’s offer excellent protection from predators like lizards, frogs, and cats.
The leaves of this green species will be scorched by direct sunlight, so plant it somewhere where it receives moderate degrees of filtered or indirect sun exposure! Avoid feeding your pet reptiles on these plants because it has been reported that doing so can make their excrement poisonous.
Every few weeks when it flowers, you can easily prune this gorgeous houseplant to keep it from occupying too much space in the vivarium by cutting off at least two inches from the base.
Don’t feed your bearded dragon snake plants, please. They contain saponins, similar to those found in aloe vera, which bearded dragons and other reptiles may find toxic to their digestive systems.
Tillandsia Ionantha
Bearded dragons can safely consume the little, simple-to-grow plant Tillandsia Ionantha.
A soft, lush green plant with long leaves known as Tillandsia ionantha is found in nature all around the world. This particular variety of bromeliad has water stored in its middle, making it difficult to dry out and simple to maintain.
Tillandsias are excellent plants for reptiles maintained in enclosures, particularly bearded dragons, because they thrive well indoors.
However, they require daily misting because they dislike spending too much time in moist soil because it causes mold and overgrowth, which could make them sick. Additionally, they require fertilization with a slow-release plant meal.
Basil
Basil is a herb that grows slowly but steadily and is ideal for the bearded dragon’s tank. Basil is a favorite food of reptiles, therefore it will give them some nutrition.
Basil needs a lot of light, thus it should be grown in a tank on top of a mesh screen or enclosure cover to provide it this while keeping other animals from grabbing a bite.
Basil is okay for bearded dragons, however they don’t like its leaves as much as they do other herbs, like parsley. Because of this, take careful to harvest the plant as soon as possible to prevent it from growing too far beyond their range.