The Best Plants for an Iguana Cage

Iguanas enjoy plants both for the foliage and for the different altitudes that climbing on the trunk or branches can provide. Pet owners can choose between fake plants and real plants. Fake plants won't get trampled by your iguana's feet and will last a lot longer, while real plants may be trampled or eaten by your pet. If you have your heart set on real plants, choose non-toxic ones that perform well in the hot, bright environment of your iguana cage and can stand up to some wear and tear.

  1. Pothos

    • Pothos is a fast-growing, low-maintenance houseplant. Its spade-shaped leaves vary from lime green to dark green; some varieties have yellow speckles. Pothos trails; you can cut back its long vines can to propagate new plants or to keep the plant's size in check. This plant grows well in full sunlight to dappled light. Pothos need regular water, but excess water can cause root rot. Trail pothos around a trellis, totem or tree trunk inside the iguana cage.

    Dragon Tree

    • Dragon tree, or Dracaena marginata, resembles a palm or yucca tree. The plant has a thick gray-brown trunk and long blade-like leaves that are green with red or purple stripes. When grown outdoors, dragon tree can reach 15 feet in height; varieties grown for indoor use are much smaller. Dragon tree performs well in bright light and may grow spindly with too little light. The plant prefers a balmy 75 degrees Fahrenheit and will enjoy the heat in your iguana cage.

    Ficus

    • Available in miniature/bonsai form and as a small tree, ficus is a durable plant for your iguana cage. It features waxy green leaves that grow off gray-brown branches. Different types of ficus display different-shaped leaves, from ovoid to fringed or blade-shaped foliage. Ficus trees come in many varieties, but all prefer moist soil and a humid environment. Ficus trees can handle direct or indirect sunlight and perform well under grow lights. They benefit from humid environments and dislike temperatures under 60 F.

    Hibiscus Tree

    • The hibiscus tree produces fragrant blossoms with wrinkly petals in shades of red, white, yellow or orange. Hibiscus blooms are short-lived; they may only appear for one day, notes the University of Minnesota. Hibiscus trees require bright light and warm temperatures--ideally around 60 F--in order to thrive. The tree requires moist soil and may need frequent watering to maintain this condition. The plants do well in an iguana cage due to the warm, sunny environment, though your iguana can trample the flowers.