When setting up a terrarium for your reptile, choosing the right plants is essential. Not all plants are safe for reptiles, but adding safe plants can enhance your pets environment. Selecting non-toxic plants that thrive in your reptile’s habitat ensures their safety and improves their well-being. Options include ferns, bromeliads and succulents, which can add texture and colour to your vivarium.
Using live plants in your reptile’s enclosure can also help maintain humidity and provide hiding spots. These plants offer safe and naturalistic enhancements to your terrarium without compromising your pet’s health.
Terrariums with the right plant choices create a more enriching environment for reptiles. Whether you are looking for ground cover plants or air plants, integrating reptile-safe plants will make a significant difference. This not only makes the enclosure more attractive but also supports the health and comfort of your pet.
Decorating your tarantula’s enclosure with live plants not only makes it look more attractive, but also offers several benefits for your eight-legged pet. Plants help regulate humidity, provide anchor points for webbing, and add visual interest to stimulate your tarantula’s natural behaviors.
However, not all houseplants are well-suited for a tarantula’s particular needs. Choosing the right plants ensures they will thrive in your spider’s terrarium environment.
In this article, we will explore the top 13 best plants to use when decorating your tarantula enclosure:
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
With its cascading vines and heart-shaped green leaves, golden pothos is a popular choice for tarantula enclosures This hardy plant can tolerate low light and irregular watering Pothos is an ideal background plant that provides visual interest without overtaking the entire habitat. Make sure to trim back any excess growth regularly.
2. Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Snake plants are drought-tolerant succulents that require very little care. Their stiff, upright leaves work well as accent plants in a tarantula enclosure. Snake plants thrive in sandy, well-drained soil and low humidity. Their minimal water needs make them perfect for arid-loving tarantula species.
3. Air Plants (Tillandsia species)
Air plants obtain moisture from the air rather than soil, so they can be incorporated into enclosures without any planting required. Simply attach them to pieces of cork bark or backgrounds using pins or glue. Air plants add a pop of color and work well displayed on walls or high up to provide anchor points for webbing.
4. Succulents (Echeveria, Haworthia, etc.)
With their exotic shapes and colors, succulents make excellent display plants for tarantulas. Select compact, low-growing varieties that won’t overtake the enclosure as they mature. Succulents thrive in dry environments and sandy soil. Group several together in rocky areas of the habitat for visual impact.
5. Bromeliads
Known for their colorful bracts and tank-like bases that hold water, bromeliads help maintain humidity. Miniature Neoregelia and Cryptanthus species work well, providing visual interest and drinking reservoirs. Place them firmly in the substrate and avoid overwatering the central cups.
6. Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura)
The vivid patterns on prayer plant leaves shimmer and change as light shifts throughout the day. Prayer plants flourish in humid conditions with mild temperatures of 60-80°F. Shelter them under partial shade to mimic the forest floor Group them near water dishes to help boost local humidity
7. Ferns (Davallia, Platycerium, Asplenium, etc.)
Delicate-looking yet sturdy, ferns lend a lush, tropical look to tarantula enclosures. Most varieties prefer consistent moisture and humidity levels above 50%. Plant in shaded areas with organic potting mix. Avoid direct misting, which may damage their foliage. Ferns provide anchor points for webbing and hiding spots.
8. Peperomia
With origins in Peru and Brazil, peperomia species thrive in warm, humid conditions similar to many tarantula habitats. Many feature intricately patterned leaves and make excellent foreground plants. Provide bright, indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. Trim back leggy growth to keep plants compact.
9. Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
The crawling veins on nerve plant leaves resemble spider webbing. Their low height and spreading growth habit work perfectly as tarantula cage groundcovers. Nerve plants flourish in humid conditions around 70°F. Grow them in bright indirect light with well-drained yet moist organic soil.
10. Bromeliad Neoregelia
The colorful foliage and water reservoirs of bromeliads create visual impact while helping to maintain humidity levels. Miniature Neoregelia species are ideal choices, staying under 6 inches tall at maturity. Plant firmly in the substrate and avoid overfilling their central cups with water.
11. Cryptanthus
Earth star bromeliads, or Cryptanthus species, are semi-terrestrial plants with striking foliage. Their stiff, pointed leaves add texture and visual interest to the enclosure floor. Cryptanthus requires humidity above 50% to thrive. Plant in areas protected from direct misting to prevent leaf damage.
12. Peacock Moss (Selaginella uncinata)
Resembling fluffy green feathers, peacock moss thrives as an accent plant in humid tropical enclosures. It spreads to form mats rather than growing upright. Peacock moss does best planted in shallow soil rather than mounted. Avoid direct misting and allow it to partially dry out between waterings.
13. Club Moss (Selaginella kraussiana)
For a rugged look, incorporate club moss as a trailing groundcover. Its tiny leaves on wiry stems give the impression of miniature palms. Club moss flourishes in humidity around 60% and temperatures from 70-80°F. Allow the top 1⁄2 inch of soil to dry before watering. Fertilize monthly during the growing season.
When selecting plants, opt for hardy, low-maintenance varieties that suit your particular tarantula’s humidity and temperature preferences. Place plants strategically to allow clear paths for your spider to traverse its habitat. With the right choices, live plants will enhance your tarantula enclosure for both you and your pet!
Plant Care within Reptile Enclosures
Caring for plants in reptile enclosures helps create a natural environment for your reptile and ensures your plants thrive. Key aspects include providing the right lighting and maintaining plant health despite the presence of your pet.
Avoiding Toxic Plants for Reptiles
Avoiding toxic plants is critical. Some common toxic plants include:
- Dieffenbachia: Known for its attractive foliage but toxic to reptiles and other pets.
- Oleander: A popular ornamental plant, yet very toxic if ingested by reptiles or other animals.
- Croton: Colourful and appealing but should be avoided due to its toxic properties.
- Umbrella Plant (Schefflera actinophylla): Sometimes confused with the other Umbrella Plant (Eriogonum umbrellum), this species is generally not safe for reptiles, dogs or cats, if consumed.
Ensure any plant you decide to use is thoroughly checked for toxicity levels. Always consult with a veterinarian if unsure, as there can be a lot of confusion online about what is safe.
At Reptile Centre, we have over 20 years of experience with reptiles and amphibians, so feel free to check with us. Additionally, all our plants are raised without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, so they are safe to plant in enclosures.
Five of the Best Plants for Reptile and Amphibian Enclosures
FAQ
What plants attract tarantulas?
Types of plants that can attract spiders
Plants with tall, dense foliage that provide hiding spots, such as ivy, ferns, philodendrons, bromeliads, and spider plants, are more likely to attract spiders.
What to put in a tarantula enclosure?
Every tarantula enclosure should have quality substrate like coconut fiber, a water dish, a hide or place for the tarantula to hide, and some decor items. Arboreal tarantulas in particular will need decor items like branches to climb on.
What do tarantulas like in their enclosure?
The habitat will require a hide area and a shallow water dish. Decorations are not necessary for the tarantula, but most pet owners like to have their tanks look more natural. There are many commercially available logs, plants, rocks, vines, and other decor.
What are the best plants for a closed terrarium?
- Ferns
- Moss
- Ivy
- Fittonia
- Syngonium
- Chamaedorea elegans (Parlour Palm)
- Begonia
- African violet