Here is a list of plants that can be used in housing for snakes. Most would also be alright for lizards but some are toxic if ingested so great care should be taken not to let a lizard take any bites out of those ones. I’ve sorted them into completely harmless and toxic when ingested. If anyone would like me to research a plant specifically for them I will be happy to do so.
Non-Toxic To All
- Boston ferns; Mist 1-2 times per week, indirect lighting, keep the soil damp, does best in peat moss substrates. Leaves will turn yellow if humidity is not high enough. Non-toxic to all animals.
- Cast-Iron plant – The cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) has dark green leaves that grow to be up to 3 feet long and so will need vertical enclosures. It’s a lush plant that requires a cool to average temperature, and a slow-growing plant so you should let the soil dry out between waterings. Non-toxic.
- Maidenhair Ferns are a great option because they have frilly fun leaves that vary from the usual thick leaves of indoor plants. Most Ferns do well inside with low light (and ferns look great in terrariums) so check out others like Silver Lace Fern with variegated leaves. Nontoxic to all.
- Spider Plants- These tough plants tolerate lots of abuse, making them excellent candidates for newbie gardeners or those without a green thumb. Provide them with well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and they will flourish. Water them well but do not allow the plants to become too soggy, which can lead to root rot. In fact, spider plants prefer to dry out some between waterings. When caring for spider plants, also take into account that they enjoy cooler temperatures — around 55 to 65 F. (13-18 C.). Spider plants can also benefit from occasional pruning, cutting them back to the base.Spider plants will also send out spiderettes which will grow into more spider plants nearby. Non Toxic to all.
- Swedish Ivy - Swedish ivy does best in a light and loamy potting mix with some perlite mixed in to help with drainage. Swedish ivy care involves keeping a constant room temperature between 60 and 75 F. (16-24 C.) year round. Water the ivy once a week and be sure to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Good drainage is necessary, so do not let the ivy sit in water. Non-toxic to All
- A Moss Terrarium: If you seriously have very little light, consider creating a terrarium of moss. It just needs moisture and glances of light, position it near a window where it will get bounced light and it should thrive. Non Toxic to All, also a good and interesting texture for enrichment, but avoid letting the moss get soggy or stay wet or else may cause scale rot.
- Peperomia - A great plant for low light. Very solid, thick stems with fat, durable leaves. Awesome for providing hiding places for frogs, small lizards, or tarantulas. Might need occasionally pruning but tends to fill up the space it’s given and live that way fairly contently. May not do well with medium to large snakes, as the stems will snap if they’re coiled around.
- Bamboo - There are a few different kinds of bamboo, but they are non-toxic to all animals. Some grow slowly, others very quickly, be careful which kind you buy. Vertical tanks would be best for this plant, they’re very forgiving of varying light sources, and the roots prefer to be housed in large grade pea gravel with lots of water.
- Bromeliads- Lots of varieties of this as well. For the most commonly found in stores, water is poured into the cups formed by the leaves in order to keep the plant hydrated. Medium light requirements, best for frogs and small lizards as a snake will break it. A big bonus is that insects often breed in the water cups of the plant, and pets like spiders and frogs will very much enjoy that. Keep in mind that Bromeliads bloom one for a year or two, then die, reproducing via a secondary ‘pup’ plant growing out of its base. Cut the pup from the mother plant and plant it, and it will grow a new Bromeliad.
Toxic when Ingested (In Cases of common Mammals, suggest avoid planting in omnivore enclosures)
- Chinese evergreen – The Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema) has a couple of varieties. There is the plant with the 2-foot-long dark green leaves marked with white (Maria) or the yellow-green leaved plant with darker splotches (Silver Queen). They like an average temperature with no cold drafts. You should let the soil dry out between waterings and cut back the older canes to promote new growth at the base for a lusher plant. Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses when ingested, suggest avoiding planting in enclosures with omnivores.
- Dracaena – Dracaena has many species, most of which are slow growing plants. The most familiar is the Madagascar dragon tree (D. marginata). It has long thin leaves that come out of the main stalk like a fountain. They like average temperatures and medium humidity. Let the soil dry between waterings and fertilize it infrequently. Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, suggest avoiding planting in enclosures with omnivores.
- Mother-in-law’s tongue – The mother-in-law’s tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata), also called snake plant, has been a favorite among houseplants forever. Vertical blades grow to 18 inches for this plant so it required a vertical tank. It likes cool to hot temperatures and doesn’t need to be fertilized frequently. Toxic to Cats, Dogs when ingested.
- Peace lily – The peace lily (Spathiphyllum) is the plant you see all over the mall. There’s a reason for this. The dark foliage grows on 1- to 4-foot plants and looks good without much work. Plants tolerate lower humidity, and the soil needs to dry out between watering. Toxic to dogs and cats when ingested. Unlike most lilies, however, the Peace Lily does not cause kidney failure but symptoms instead resemble an allergic reaction.
- Pothos- (Marble Queen/Devil’s Ivy) They do well in bright indirect light as well as low light and can be grown in dry soil or in vases of water. They will thrive in nutrient rich soil, but do almost as well in nutrient poor soil. If your pothos is highly variegated — particularly variegated with white — they may either not grow as well in low light or may lose their variegation if the light is too low. Only the green parts of the leaves can make energy for the plant, so it must be able to get enough light for energy or its growth will slow or the leaves will compensate for the lack of light by becoming more green. Toxic sap to cats, dogs and children when ingested but NOT fatal.
- Begonias: These plants offer a wide range of leaf colors and shapes and if you get a Rex Begonia, it will live quite happily without any direct light. Just make sure you don’t overwater it. Soak it and let it dry out, soak and dry. Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats when Ingested, especially the tubers.
- ZZ Plant- ZZ plant tolerates low light and neglect, and still looks great. It forms a cluster of thick, fleshy leafstalks that are so glossy that they almost appear artificial. Although the plant tolerates low light, it will grow better in medium to bright light. Grow it at average room temperature and keep the soil moderately dry. It is sometimes called eternity plant because it is long lasting. HEIGHT: 1 to 3 feet WIDTH:2 - 3 feet wide. Toxic for Dogs and cats if ingested but only induced mild upset stomach, not fatal.
Reblogged with a couple more plants added
(via amazingpetenclosures)
