What Kinds of Plants Are Best for a Tree Frog Habitat?

Tree frogs are popular, attractive pets. These relatively easy-to-care-for animals prefer a tall enclosure with good ventilation and plenty of climbing branches and plants. While artificial plants are easiest in a tree frog habitat, some owners prefer to use live plants.

  1. Air Plants

    • These small plants are nearly as easy to care for as artificial ones. They require no soil, no fertilizer, and minimal watering. Air plants take all their nutrition from the air, as their name implies, and use their roots only to anchor them to rocks, trees, and branches. They need only indirect light, and should be watered to the point of runoff two to three times each week. Some guides incorrectly state that air plants require no watering. While these small bromeliads can survive long periods of drought, they require regular hydration to keep growing.

    Philodendron

    • The Philodendron genus contains many types of plants, most of which are very easy to grow. These plants need bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining potting soil. While the plant is poisonous if ingested, tree frogs are unlikely to chew on the leaves. Philodendron species are readily available from most greenhouses. Rinse the plant thoroughly as it could contain pesticides and fertilizers that could be hazardous to your frog.

    Pothos

    • Also called the money plant, hunter's robe, and devil's ivy, pothos plants can have very large leaves, which provide good places for tree frogs to sit or shelter under. These easy-to-grow plants require medium humidity and indirect, bright sunlight, and should be planted in a well-draining, general-purpose pitting soil. Pothos plants propagate easily from stem cuttings, making it easy to provide more plants for a tree frog enclosure. Like the philodendron, pothos may come with contaminants on the leaves, and should be washed thoroughly before use.