What Plants Can You Put in a Veiled Chameleon's Cage?

Though veiled chameleons are primarily insectivores, they require some plant matter in their diets. Plants provide important vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D and can prevent skin, eye and intestinal problems. Because veiled chameleons are arboreal animals that climb in trees and plants, the easiest way to provide chameleons with access to the valuable nutrients in plants is to use them as cage decorations in place of artificial plants. There are several safe plants for chameleons that are also sturdy climbing plants.

  1. Hibiscus

    • Hibiscus plants produce large, ornate flowers.

      Hibiscus plants are large, flowering shrubs that grow quickly when given ample sunlight and water. Some hibiscuses will thrive under artificial UV lighting, but the best way to use hibiscus in a chameleon's cage is to rotate the plant. Place one outside and one in the cage, then periodically switch them out. Both the leaves and flowers of hibiscus are edible and are packed with calcium and Vitamin C, two important components of a healthy chameleon diet. The branches of these plants are sturdy, making them an excellent climbing plant, and their large size means that a single hibiscus can provide your chameleon with plenty of climbing space.

    Geranium

    • Geraniums come in a variety of colors.

      Frequently used in hanging baskets, geraniums are medium-sized plants that produce clusters of flowers in a variety of colors. They have broad, slightly rounded leaves. They require less sunlight than hibiscus, making them a good choice for an indoor cage. The flowers and leaves are edible. Young geraniums are typically not strong enough for a chameleon to climb, but larger plants develop sturdy branches and leaves that are ideal for climbing.

    Lavender

    • The pleasant smell of a lavender can mask cage odors.

      Lavender is a small herb frequently used in perfume because of its pleasant aroma. These plants are easy to grow and will thrive in indoor lighting. They produce small, purple flowers and have narrow leaves. All parts of the lavender are safe for a chameleon to eat, though these plants are not particularly nutritious. The tough, sturdy leaves of lavender are ideal for climbing, though the small size means that you must use several lavender plants if you want lots of climbing space in your chameleon's cage.

    Other Plants

    • Dandelion, a common weed, is highly nutritional for veiled chameleons.

      There are several plants that are not particularly good climbing plants because of their weak branches or small size. Nevertheless, these plants are safe for chameleons to eat and you can use them as ground cover or dietary supplements. These include jasmine, lilac, hoya, honeysuckle, dandelions, daisies, camellia, African daisies, aster, yucca and zinnias.