Decorating your Chinese water dragon’s habitat with live plants is extremely beneficial for their health and happiness. The right plants can help maintain humidity, provide hiding spots, add aesthetic appeal, and give your pet some behavioral enrichment. However, you have to be careful in selecting plants that are non-toxic, sturdy enough to withstand a water dragon’s active nature, and suitable for a tropical terrarium environment.
In this article, I’ll share my top 15 recommendations for safe, attractive live plants to use in your Chinese water dragon’s enclosure. I have personally used many of these plants with great success Follow these suggestions and you’ll have a stunning, naturalistic habitat your water dragon will thrive in!
1. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
With its wide, tongue-shaped fronds, the bird’s nest fern makes a visually striking addition to a terrarium. It thrives in the humid, tropical conditions and indirect lighting of a water dragon enclosure. Plant it directly in the substrate for this large epiphytic fern to cascade beautifully over backgrounds and décor.
2. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The parlor palm is a compact graceful palm that tops out around 3-4 feet tall. Its slender green leaves add peaceful tropical vibes. It tolerates low to medium light very well. Keep it moist but not waterlogged. I recommend planting it directly in the substrate near the back of the enclosure.
3. Croton Petra (Codiaeum variegatum)
For dazzling color, you can’t beat the Croton petra. Its leaves come in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red. It loves humidity and does best planted right in the substrate. Be aware that Crotons may drop leaves initially when moved to a new home, but they rebound quickly in ideal conditions.
4. Dracaena marginata
A Dracaena marginata, or dragon tree, is an excellent upright accent plant. Its slender green leaves have red edges, providing eye-catching contrast. It’s also quite sturdy and can handle occasional bumps from your active water dragon. Keep soil lightly moist.
5. Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
The versatile creeping fig makes a great backdrop plant in a water dragon enclosure. It clings tightly and spreads quickly along hardscapes. This evergreen vine tolerates everything from low to bright indirect light. Plant it directly in the substrate and watch it climb!
6. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
No terrarium is complete without the classics like pothos! Golden pothos sports gorgeous heart-shaped leaves in green and yellow. It thrives in high humidity and tolerates low light. Plant it in the substrate and train vines up hardscapes or let it tumble over edges. Very easy to grow!
7. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Chinese evergreens lend bright pops of color with their striking pink, red, and orange-tinged leaves. They need moist soil and do best in low to moderate light situations. Their lush, compact growth makes them great mid-ground plants.
8. Philodendron (Philodendron species)
Philodendrons come in vining and non-vining varieties perfect for any spot in the terrarium. Heartleaf philodendron has deep green, lobed leaves. ‘Moonlight’ has chartreuse leaves. All do well in medium to bright indirect light and average watering.
9. Dracaena fragrans
Several Dracaena fragrans cultivars like ‘Lemon Lime’ offer durable leaves striped in lime green and yellow. They tolerate a wide range of light and watering conditions. Under the right care, they can grow to 6 feet tall! Keep that eventual size in mind.
10. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
For strikingly bold veins, nerve plants can’t be beat! Their pink or white veined leaves contrast against deep green for incredible effect. They need consistently moist soil and do best in low to moderate indirect light. Plant near the front of the enclosure to show off the detailing.
11. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
The arrowhead plant is a trailler or climber depending on how you grow it. Its five-lobed leaves start out reddish pink before maturing to green. Offer bright indirect light and average watering. Use as an accent, foreground, or let it ascend hardscapes!
12. Peacock Plant (Calathea makoyana)
Peacock plants have oval leaves with an incredible feather-like pattern of greens and purples. They thrive in humid conditions and filtered light. Their compact size makes them nice mid-ground plants. Keep their soil moist but not soaked.
13. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Add interest and purifying properties with the easy-to-grow spider plant! Its long, arched foliage stands out in any setting. Tolerates a range of light and watering conditions. Bonus – you can propagate the spiderette babies!
14. Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)
Lacy Kimberly Queen ferns lend soft, delicate texture. Their frilly fronds contrast beautifully with bold-leaved plants. Keep them away from direct light. They prefer to stay evenly moist. Use as a mid-ground to background plant depending on size.
15. Nephthytis (Syngonium podophyllum ‘Gold Allusion’)
Lastly, I recommend the trailing nephthytis for its striking coloration – leaves emerge pinkish orange before darkening to green. It tolerates low light beautifully. Plant it in the substrate and train vines up hardscapes or let trails spread through the enclosure.
Important Care Tips
When caring for live plants in your water dragon’s enclosure, keep these key things in mind:
- Select only reptile-safe, non-toxic plants and thoroughly wash before adding
- Use good drainage substrate designed for tropical plants
- Provide proper lighting – regular bulbs plus plant grow lights
- Mist plants daily and water when top inch of soil becomes dry
- Watch for signs of disease or pests and treat any issues promptly
- Prune and replace plants as needed to maintain ideal environment
Give Your Water Dragon the Habitat They Deserve
There you have it – my top recommendations for beautifully landscaping your Chinese water dragon’s terrarium with safe, hardy, and attractive live plants. With this diverse selection of greenery, you can create an enriching, lush environment for your pet to feel comfortable and engaged. Take the time to design an enclosure they’ll thrive in and enjoy watching your plants and water dragon alike flourish.
Can multiple Chinese water dragons be housed in the same enclosure?
Generally, no. It’s true that Chinese water dragons have been successfully housed in small groups of one male and two or three females. However, this arrangement is for breeding and requires a much larger enclosure than outlined above, making it impractical for most pet owners. Fortunately, Chinese water dragons are not considered a social species and are generally quite content to live alone.
Substrate Options for Chinese Water Dragons
Chinese water dragons spend most of their time in the upper levels of their enclosure, and when they’re not climbing, they’re swimming. So substrate isn’t super important, but if the “pool” doesn’t take up the entire floor of the enclosure, adding substrate can help with humidity maintenance. A fluffy 4″ / 10cm layer of moistened coconut fiber or sphagnum moss will do the trick, and it also helps act as a cushion if your dragon takes a fall. In a 6′ x 3′ enclosure, that will take at least 240 quarts of substrate. Change the substrate at least once a month to maintain good hygiene.
Alternatively, you can go bioactive, which helps maintain humidity and reduces substrate waste. The Bio Dude’s Terra Fauna kit is a good way to get started if you’re new to bioactive setups. However, note that bioactive enclosures require a much thicker substrate layer, are very heavy, and require the inclusion of live plants to work properly.
Chinese Water Dragon, The Best Pet Lizard?
FAQ
What can live with a Chinese water dragon?
With the large lizard you are choosing there isn’t much that could live with it, and reptiles do best on their own, so i would stick with the water dragon and maybe a few fish. You could add inverts like springtails, isopods, millipedes, and weevils.
Can you put live plants in a bearded dragon tank?
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Benefits:
- Enrichment: Live plants can make the enclosure more stimulating and natural-looking, providing hiding spots and opportunities for exploration.
- Nutrition: Some plants can be a source of additional nutrients for your bearded dragon, especially if they are not picky eaters.
- Humidity: Certain plants can help maintain humidity levels in the enclosure, which can be beneficial for some bearded dragons.
- Enrichment: Live plants can make the enclosure more stimulating and natural-looking, providing hiding spots and opportunities for exploration.
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Safe Plant Options:
- Succulents: Echeverias, Haworthias, and Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are good choices for bearded dragon enclosures.
- Other options: Wheatgrass, Festuca grass, Carex grass, Dandelions, and clover are also safe.
- Always research: Before adding any plant, make sure it is safe for reptiles and that it is free from pesticides and other chemicals.
- Succulents: Echeverias, Haworthias, and Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are good choices for bearded dragon enclosures.
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Important Considerations:
- Pesticides and Chemicals: Ensure all plants are free from pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals that could harm your bearded dragon.
- Substrate: Choose a substrate that is suitable for your bearded dragon and that will not retain too much moisture, such as aspen shavings or reptile carpet.
- Research: Research the specific needs of the plants you choose, including their light, water, and temperature requirements, to ensure they thrive in your bearded dragon’s enclosure.
- Pesticides and Chemicals: Ensure all plants are free from pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals that could harm your bearded dragon.
What is the best bedding for Chinese water dragons?
Options like sphagnum moss, peat moss, coconut fiber, and coco chip are all great options since they hold humidity very well. Creating a mix of all of these options will give you a moisture retentive, yet airy layer of substrate that will hold humidity without becoming compacted.
What does a water dragon need in its tank?
Live or artificial plants and leafy green foliage throughout the enclosure provide shelter and will make your water dragon feel more secure in its environment.