<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nUsing real, live plants has several benefits for any reptile or amphibian enclosure. If the visual appeal of using real plants isn’t enough, consider how plants can positively impact the overall health of your terrarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As your beloved amphibian urinates and defecates on the substrate in their enclosure, the pH level slowly grows towards the acidic side. Over time, it builds and builds to the point where it becomes harmful to the inhabitants. This is especially true for amphibians, who have delicate, semi-permeable skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Real plants help to level the pH scale in the substrate.<\/strong> They use nitrates as a source of food in growth. Combining real plants with microfauna is an even better way to keep the substrate healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAside from this, real plants offer an ever-changing landscape and plenty of hiding opportunities for frogs, toads, or salamanders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly enough, amphibians are more likely to make themselves seen when they know there are plenty of nearby hiding places! Both real and fake plants help with this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>The Plants (and Soils) to Avoid<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that you know a few benefits of using real plants, let’s discover the things to avoid. First and foremost, toxic plants can have a negative impact on amphibians within a terrarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Toxic Plants<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nPet amphibians are generally kept in small enclosures. Because of this, they’re heavily dependant on their surroundings. If, for example, there was a toxic plant in their enclosure, they will have a difficult time avoiding it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, wild amphibians have plenty of room to move around and avoid toxic plants. Some plants are harmful on touch while others are only harmful when ingested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, amphibians are mostly carnivores. They eat living invertebrates like crickets, mealworms, flies, etc. The insects they do eat, however, are often-times herbivores. So, if your pet amphibian eats a cricket who recently nibbled on a toxic plant, this can be problematic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For these two reasons, it’s especially important to avoid planting toxic plants in your pet’s terrarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are quite a few harmful plants. So many, in fact, that I won’t list them here. Instead, I’ll encourage you to focus on the safe, non-toxic plants listed above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Potential Impaction and Chemical Problems in Certain Types of Soil Mixes<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSoil mixture with Perlite. Photo by Lynn \/ Adobe Stock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThere is one more thing to consider when using real plants and that’s the soil they’re grown in. Certain brands of “plant food” is beneficial to flowers but potentially harmful to amphibians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perlite and vermiculite are commonly used in soil mixtures for varying reasons. In the case of Perlite, it is mixed with soil to improve aeration. If you’ve never heard of it, you may have seen it without knowing what it was. Perlite is white, small, and looks similar to foam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The problem with these types of things is impaction. Impaction happens when an animal eats something it can’t easily digest. In the case of reptiles and amphibians, where they’re eating crickets or mealworms off the substrate, impaction is a common problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A healthy amphibian can digest and pass pieces of substrate. Captive amphibians may struggle to pass perlite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don’t need to avoid buying plants rooted in soil with perlite. I do, however, advise you to completely remove the plant from the soil first. Wash the roots before planting in your amphibian’s terrarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Before You Plant… Plants<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that you know what to avoid, let’s discuss a few more important topics to remember before you go shopping for terrarium plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Lighting Requirements<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nReal plants need light to survive. Most, in fact, need something better than a heat bulb too. You would do well to get a specially made grow-light for many plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
T5 and T8 bulbs are great for growing plants indoors! This leads to more complications. The reason is that some lights are harmful to amphibians. Specifically, high-powered UVB lights are almost always harmful to amphibians (especially tadpoles).<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nLights suitable for growing plants with UVB 5.0 or no UVB at all are best. The topic of UVB for reptiles and amphibians is incredibly complex