Live Plants for Reptiles

Plants growing in reptile cages add ambience to the enclosure. Some of the plants that can grow inside a reptile cage are tropical, while others are more suited to northern climates. It is important to give reptiles plant that come from its natural environment. Most reptiles require warm cage conditions.

  1. African Violet

    • The African violet plant is a small plant with waxy green leaves. It often has purple flowers. The plant grows from 1 to 6 inches high and requires warm temperatures. The plant also requires good drainage. The plant prefers medium light and loves open top containers (a mesh screen is also fine).

    Artillery Plant

    • The artillery plant has tiny, waxy green leaves and grows anywhere from six to 12 inches high. Artillery plants are somewhat bushy. The plant prefers medium lighting and can grow in closed or open containers. The plant grows very fast, and may require pruning every few months.

    Baby Tears

    • Baby tears is a small plant with tiny bright green leaves. The plant grows in a tight, small bush shape that rarely grows above three inches high. In the right growing conditions the plant can quickly take over the bottom of a cage. Baby tears requires medium lighting and grows in open or closed containers.

    Bloodleaf

    • The bloodleaf plant grows from six to 12 inches high. The plant leaves look similar to caladiums, and are small and dark red. The plant requires bright light and grows in open or closed containers. The plant may need to be pinched back every few weeks.

    Chinese Evergreen

    • The Chinese evergreen is a waxy plant with spear-shaped leaves. The plant grows from three to six inches high, and can sometimes have reddish tint to the leaves. Chinese evergreen grows in open or closed containers and in low or medium lights.

    Tahitian Bridal Veil

    • Tahitian bridal veil is a small plant that can grow from three to six inches high. The plant is similar to a creeping vine and has small, spade-shaped leaves. The plant may need to be trimmed back if it starts to take over the cage. The plant requires medium light and grows in open and closed containers.

    Sundew

    • The sundew plant is a very unusual tropical plant. The plant has a bright green leaves, with tiny antennas sticking out all over the surface of the plant leaves. Sundew plants can eat insects, similar to a Venus fly trap's action. The plant requires bright light, and a closed cage.

    Spider Plant

    • The spider plant grows from three to six inches tall and forms creeping vines. The leaves are long and narrow, and resemble a spider's legs. The plant needs low or medium lighting, and grows in open or closed containers.