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
Aeoniums are succulents that are found in dry climates. 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 fine for bearded dragons, right?
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.
Succulents: Are they harmful 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.
Prickly Pear (Opuntia Cactus)
One of the cactus that bearded dragons like to eat is the prickly pear. Despite being an American native, it has been spread over the globe by people. The plants are raised for human use and utilized as houseplants. Some folks, however, grow these plants only for their lizards.
These cacti are excellent for your animals since they are rich in calcium, moisture, and nutrients. There are numerous variants of the plant. They significantly differ in terms of color, shape, and environmental needs. While some, like purple prickly pears, have some color, the majority are green.
Beardies adore the fruit of the prickly pear. Unfortunately, the plant has sharp spines that could harm your lizard. However, a prickly pear cactus can be bought having the spine removed.
This cactus needs to be pruned frequently to prevent it from becoming too large for its environment.
Christmas Cactus
Given that its pads are smooth, this cactus would be ideal for your bearded dragon. It’s a lovely plant that requires little maintenance. Like other sedum cultivars, it is secure and does best in cooler climates. They require a lot of water, therefore you will need to water them thoroughly.
Stapelia
These unusual small cacti have flowers that resemble stars. Depending on the species, the blossoms can be either purple or red. Their blossoms may have a fragrant aroma or a more pungent one. They favor some light or partial shade.
Dragon fruit
A resilient cactus with fragrant white and yellow blossoms, the dragon fruit. It’s a beautiful plant for your house and requires little maintenance. It grows best in full sunlight. The edible fruits have a red or yellow spiky coat, with the shell being either red or brown. A fruit that resembles a dragon’s egg is produced by the cactus.
A succulent, is dragon fruit?
The dragon fruit plant is a sizable climbing cactus with thick, towering branches that resemble succulents and produces bright red or yellow fruit. The dense, juicy, and sweet fruit of the dragon fruit plant—also known as pitahaya, pitaya, strawberry pears, or cactus fruit—is ideal for eating raw, slicing into salads, or blending into smoothies or ice cream.
As if all that weren’t enough, dragon fruit bushes also provide some of the biggest flowers in the world, popularly known as “night-blooming cereus,” which only bloom for one night and turn the air a distinctive tropical aroma of white flowers.
Are reptiles safe to use aloe vera?
Aloe Vera, I believe is safe for both bearded dragons and leopard geckos but I believe it also acts as a laxative for both. Although I’m not 100% certain with the gecko, I’m confident with beardies, thus I personally wouldn’t take a chance. A lizard who is continually sick with diarrhea is not one you want. Vera grows really large and may invade your vivarium, possibly in more haste than it’s worth.
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 moisture content 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:
- Plant arrowhead (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.
Mulberry
The bearded dragon’s tank should be planted with mulberry, a blooming plant. It enjoys cool temperatures, moist soil, and shady surroundings. Mulberries are not poisonous to reptiles, but if consumed uncooked or in large quantities, they can upset the stomach.
When hand-fed by an owner, bearded dragons really adore these delectable goodies and will safely enjoy eating them from their habitat while roaming on top of mulberry plants.
The plant needs a lot of water to survive, so be sure to put it somewhere where water won’t fill the entire vivarium.
Mulberries are rich in calcium and support bone strength, which is essential for preserving your pet reptile’s health.
The berries shouldn’t occupy too much space because their tiny leaves, which turn brown in direct sunlight, will make upkeep more difficult. Mulberry trees can reach a height of 25 feet when grown inside, so be careful to regularly prune them to prevent your bearded dragon’s habitat from becoming too crowded.