10 Chameleon Safe Plants:Complete Guide
Chameleons are fascinating and beautiful creatures that require special care. Chameleons are native to Africa’s rainforests and deserts, and they spend their lives in the wild on trees, climbing and hiding in the leaves. With the right temperature, heat, lighting, and humidity levels, a decent vivarium for your chameleon should replicate the life conditions of these lizards in their native habitat. Chameleons’ humidity requirements are influenced by the plants they consume.
Plants that have thick leaves are better for chameleons because the plants provide a place for the chameleon to hide and sleep. Chameleons need a humid environment to thrive. They are best housed in an area with a humidity level of 80-90%. A chameleon’s diet should consist of leafy plants and herbs. The diet should not be cooked, frozen, or dried.
The perfect chameleon habitat is one that will provide the proper environment for their care. A good vivarium should be made out of materials to avoid skin irritation, with a temperature range from 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit and an 80 – 90% humidity level recommended by pet stores or online retailers selling them (if you’re buying something custom designed).
Other lizards get their water by drinking, but chameleons don’t. Rather, they consume the water that falls off the leaves. They preserve the humidity in the tank while also cleansing the air, providing your lizard with a healthy and natural habitat. Plants also assist your chameleon to feel comfortable by providing hiding places, and since chameleons prefer to be left alone, this reduces their stress levels.
Before You Add ANY Plant To Your Chameleon’s Enclosure, Here’s What You Should Do
Everything you wish to put in your reptile’s terrarium should be cleaned and disinfected properly. Chameleons are delicate creatures that can’t handle any type of plant life in their tank. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to ensure your Chameleons live happy lives.
Remove all dead leaves and debris from the bottom half an inch or so on each stem before adding them into its own pot; make sure only fresh water is used for drinking purposes (no aquarium pump), then carefully cut larger stems into several pieces at least three inches long depending upon how much space you’ve got left.
10 Safe Plants For Chameleons
There are many plants that are safe for chameleons, and they are all listed below. If you are unsure about the safety of a certain plant, you can always contact a local reptile store to ask for their recommendations.
Choose plants that you can properly care for and that will suit your lifestyle as well as the tastes of your lizard.
1. Bromeliads
It should come as no surprise that the beautiful Bromeliads are connected to the pineapple. Bromeliads are popular among plant amateurs because they are spiky, tropical, and distinctively appealing. The leaves, on the other hand, acquire a vibrant flush of color that closely resembles the appearance of a flower.
Next, Bromeliads have a specific design and look. They can be found in many different shapes, including a spiral, which is more commonly seen in the genus Philodendron.
Bromeliads are also available in other shapes such as pyramids, cactus, and spherical. They are a great addition to your chameleon’s enclosure because they are beautiful, but they also provide a comfortable environment for your lizard.
2. Spider Plant
Spider plants are a wonderful addition to any chameleon’s enclosure because they provide a place for your chameleon to hide and sleep. These plants are not just popular because they look good, but because they are also incredibly useful.
They provide a great environment for your chameleon because they have many different features that provide a comfortable environment for the lizard. They are very effective at cleansing the air and are a good choice for reptile owners.
Important-Spider plants are numerous, and you’ll probably have to replant them once a year or so. Spider plants generate “pups,” or small baby plants, that can be clipped off and replanted to develop new plants.
3. Jade Plant
Jade plants are a very popular choice among chameleon owners. They are also a great choice because they are a lot of fun to look at. chameleons have beautiful, soft leaves that are ideal for your lizard to hide in. They are also very easy to clean. Jade plants are also known for their ability to withstand high temperatures.
Jade plants require very little water, and they can even survive in a very dry environment. They are also very low maintenance. Jade plants are a great choice for chameleons that are kept in a humid environment.
They tolerate tight root systems and can be grown in the same container for up to 5 years before needing replantation, so long as you report them often enough!
If your goal is shorter or more compact jades though (to suit cham’s needs), remember that these types will grow much quicker when given less space per stem – plan accordingly if this affects how many pieces make it into each inch of potential growing area
4. Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a great choice for your chameleon’s enclosure because they are easy to care for and look good. This makes them very stable and sturdy.
For a hibiscus plant to thrive, you’ll need to supply enough light. Sometimes it’s hard to keep your vivarium alive.
If you want a plant that needs less attention and water, the hibiscus might be perfect for living inside of one! Give them plenty with their soil to dry out before watering again so they don’t mold or mildew too much in between checks on how often this is happening (monthly).
Cutting back all of the lovely growth may seem contradictory, but it will make your plant healthier in the long run.
5. Weeping Fig
There are hundreds of Ficus species throughout the world. Ficus Benjamina is one of the most likely plants to be used as a chameleon home. Although they have their quirks, these Ficus are lovely and resilient. Most Ficus cultivars thrive when plants are exposed to at least some direct sunshine.
Watering You will want to provide your Ficus with enough water to keep its soil moist, but not so much that the roots rot. You should also avoid overwatering; if you let the soil dry out, your plant may become stressed.
Ficus will do fine on a soil mixture of 50/50 peat moss and potting soil. Feeding Ficus plants require less food than most houseplants because they are not trying to grow quickly. They also benefit from a high-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage lush foliage. Planting Most Ficus species can be planted from seed or cuttings.
6. Yucca
Yucca is a popular plant among reptile owners because of its unique and attractive appearance. Yuccas are an excellent choice for any reptile owner looking to add a little bit of greenery to their pet’s habitat. Not only are they easy to care for, but they also help to purify the air and provide a beautiful, natural backdrop.
Yuccas prefer partial shade and should be grown in a pot with good drainage. When it comes to watering, aim for moist but not wet. You can prune them to keep their height down, but be careful not to get injured by the prickly leaves. With just a little bit of TLC, your Yucca will thrive and provide your pet with a healthy, natural environment.
7. Dracaena Compacta
Dracaena Compacta is a common plant in reptile homes. It’s a slow-growing plant that can be easily cared for, and it has a nice fragrance. You can also plant your Dracaena in your chameleon’s enclosure to add a little variety.
When choosing a pot for your Dracaena Compacta, it is important to select a size that will allow for plenty of root growth. In addition, it is important to ensure that there is a good flow of air circulating through the location in which the plant is placed.
Although shade tolerance is sometimes stated for Dracaena plants, you may discover that “shade tolerant” is not the same as “shade-loving” in practice. Additionally, you should only water the plant when the soil is totally dry. These plants take a long time to show signs of a condition. If you don’t take adequate care of yours, it will most likely continue to appear excellent for a long time.
You may notice that your dracaena is beginning to decline. Though it’s not clear why the plant seems likely at this point and you’ll need quick action if want continues enjoying its beauty.
8. Golden Pothos
Golden Pothos is a very easy plant to care for. Their leaves are a beautiful green and can be used as a chameleon’s camouflage.
The pothos is a hardy plant that can grow in virtually any light. Pothos don’t have deep roots, thus they don’t require a lot of water. Between waterings, let the soil dry out a little.
They’ll often come back to life after a short period of time if you give them a little water. It’s not that abandoning your plan is a good idea. Golden pothos plants are one of the more resilient houseplants, able to survive even when you forget about them for months at a time.
You can trim back their vines and use cuttings from old-growth woody stems as new planting stock – there’s no need ever to worry that your plant will die!
9. Wax Begonia
Begonia is a popular plant in reptile homes. You can get them from seed or cuttings, too. If you’re growing from seed, you’ll need to wait until your plant has produced at least four leaves before you start the process.
You should provide your Wax Begonia with bright, indirect sunlight. You can fertilize your Wax Begonia with a liquid fertilizer.
Wax Begonias require a lot of bright light to thrive. They don’t mind being near a heat source, so place them near your sun lamp. Don’t let your Wax Begonia dry out when it’s young. Once established, these plants want their soil to be slightly dry, so as they mature, you can reduce the frequency of watering.
Wax begonias are one of those particular plants that seem to thrive when they’re allowed to become a little root-bound. This means you won’t have to report them as frequently, lowering your maintenance costs.
10. Rubber Tree
The Rubber Tree is a very interesting plant that’s commonly used in reptile homes. It requires little in the way of light and soil, but it does require water. Rubber trees have very dense foliage. This makes them an ideal camouflage for your plan. They have a nice scent and are used as an essential part of your plan’s design. Rubber trees have a lot of versatility.
They’re not difficult plants to grow, but they do have a few requirements. The Rubber Tree is an interesting plant. It can grow as tall as 10 feet.
It’s hardy and prefers full sun, but it will do just fine with partials or even shady spots. They’re not a popular plant, but they can provide a very interesting feature to your home.
The Rubber Tree is very drought tolerant. It’s best to keep it well-watered, but if you do have to water your Rubber Tree, make sure you water it deeply. For Rubber Plants, a good houseplant soil combination is usually a suitable choice.
Make sure there are plenty of drainages, then replant when the roots start to outgrow the pot. In terms of Ficus, it’s fairly flexible and low-maintenance. Leaf drop is one of the earliest symptoms of danger in a Rubber Tree.
Getting Plants Ready to Be Introduced to a Chameleon Habitat
If you’re new to breeding and raising reptiles, you might not know how to get your plants ready for the chameleon. Looking to breed a new chameleon, you should know what you’re doing before you introduce any new reptiles to your plan.
If you’re new to breeding reptiles, you should know how to get your plants ready for your chameleon.
To get rid of pesticides from your plants, follow these steps:
Fill the sink halfway with warm water and a bar of antibacterial soap. Submerge your plants in the water and gently whisk them around to loosen and remove any unwanted items. Allow the soapy coating to rest on the plants for several minutes before removing them. Thoroughly rinse them.
To ensure that no traces of harmful substances remain, repeat the operation at least three times. Also, keep in mind that commercial soil could contain fertilizers that are harmful to chameleons. That’s why, unless you’re positive the original soil is safe, it’s preferable to discard it and repot the plants with organic soil.
A guide to setting up plants in an enclosure
I recommend using as many plants as possible. Place them in pots, or even better, in hanging baskets. If you live in an apartment or condominium, you should place them on a balcony or balcony terrace.
There are many foliage plants you can have but you shouldn’t have more than four as it can get crowded.
Personally, I love to have lots of leaves on the plants. They’re so pretty.
Keep climbing plants at the bottom of an enclosure. They have enough room, they’ll be happy and will climb around the outside of the enclosure to spread themselves out.
If you want to create a room that looks beautiful then these plants should be at least three and maybe four in number, one on the floor and one on the side halfway up the wall, and two on the side.
You’d like to provide a safe and stimulating environment for your chameleon, run vines or string between the plants to create a large climbing area where your chameleon will have plenty of room to feel comfortable.
General plant care tips
To keep my plants healthy and thriving, I have deliberately chosen only those that are easy to grow from seed. If you follow these general care tips, you should be able to use any of these plants in a small indoor garden.
If their soil is dry when it needs moisture most then be careful about how much water comes out of the tap because every little bit counts for these sensitive animals!
And remember that indirect light is best so don’t get a bright sunny window next door – just find another room with natural lightings like an east-facing bedroom or lobby without any windows at all if possible (and try using incandescent bulbs instead). You should buy the best potting soil you can afford.
Some plants require a specific mixture, and others need a blend of all. If you are unsure about what you should use, call your local nursery and ask them what works best for your plants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to make your chameleons happy, you must provide them with a proper diet and environment. The best chameleons can live for up to 20 years. Chameleons are an interesting species, but they do need some care.
They should be fed regularly and their enclosure must have the perfect temperature for them to thrive in it. Make sure, however, that the plants you choose are not harmful if eaten.
FAQs
1. What do veiled chameleons eat?
Pothos leaves, ficus, kale, romaine lettuce, and other dark, leafy greens are safe for veiled and panther chameleons to eat. Chameleons are insectivorous animals, however, occasionally feeding them plants is an excellent way to boost their diet.
2. How much do they weigh?
A female veiled chameleon will weigh between two and three pounds.
3. Where can I find them?
Chameleons can be found throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe, although the majority of them live in Madagascar and Africa. The others are located in the Middle East, a couple on Indian Ocean islands, and one in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the Indian chameleon.
4. Do they have a loud noise?
They make a soft hissing sound.
5. How long do they live?
Chameleon will live for around 20 years.
6. Can they fly?
No, they cannot fly
7. Can chameleons eat fruit?
Yes. Despite the fact that chameleons are predominantly insectivores, some fruits can be beneficial additions to their diet. Chameleons can consume fruits including apples, blueberries, peaches, melons, bananas, and cantaloupe because they are high in calcium and low in phosphorus.
8. What plants should you place in a chameleon cage?
Golden pictures, yuccas, rubber trees, hibiscus, Ficus Benjamina, and Ficus elastica are the ideal living plants to incorporate into your chameleon’s enclosure, in terms of both appearance and safety.
9. Are hibiscus trees safe for chameleons?
Yes, Chameleons love hibiscus trees. Hibiscus trees are non-toxic to chameleons and are an excellent choice for their cage.