What Live Plants Can I Put In With My Chameleon

Chameleons are fascinating pet reptiles that have recently grown in popularity among exotic pet owners. Their ability to change colors, large eyes that can move independently, and incredibly long tongues make them unique compared to other lizards.

These arboreal lizards spend most of their time in trees and shrubs in the wild, relying on plants for food, shelter, shade, and hydration.

When keeping chameleons as pets, it’s important to recreate elements of their natural habitat in captivity. This means providing a large, well-ventilated enclosure with plenty of climbing branches, hiding spots, and live plants.

Live plants help maintain humidity levels, provide shade and seclusion, allow drinking from water droplets, and give chameleons an opportunity to nibble on leaves and flowers.

However, not all plants are safe to use in a chameleon enclosure. Toxic plants can irritate their skin, make them sick if ingested, or even be deadly. It’s essential to choose non-toxic plants that will thrive in the warm, humid environment inside a chameleon habitat.

This article will cover:

• Benefits of live plants for chameleons
• Most popular and safe plants to use
• Plant types: hanging, climbing, foliage, flowering
• Caring for plants in a chameleon enclosure
• Preparing and disinfecting new plants
• Avoiding common plant-related mistakes
• Ideal enclosure setup with live plants

Why Are Live Plants Important for Chameleons?

Here are some of the key benefits live plants provide for pet chameleons:

• Hydration – Chameleons don’t drink from standing water. They get moisture by licking droplets and dew from leaves. Plants help hydrate chameleons.
• Humidity – Plants release moisture into the air through transpiration, helping maintain higher humidity levels chameleons require.
• Hiding spots – Chameleons feel more secure with plants to hide in and retreat behind. This reduces stress.
• Climbing and basking – Chameleons climb and bask in plants. Vines, branches, and leaves provide enrichment.
• Shade – Plants give shade from intense UVB/heating lamps while allowing access for thermoregulation.
• Food – Some chameleons will nibble on leaves and flowers. Non-toxic plants provide nutrients.
• Clean air – Plants help filter the air, keeping the enclosure environment clean.
• Naturalistic habitat – Plants make the enclosure look more like the chameleon’s wild habitat.

Most Popular and Safe Plants for Chameleons

There are many great options when it comes to picking live plants for a chameleon enclosure. Here are some of the most popular and safe choices:

Hanging Basket Plants

Hanging basket plants are great for adding visual depth and providing dense foliage up high in the enclosure.

Popular choices include:

• Pothos – (Epipremnum aureum): Pothos is a popular choice for chameleon enclosures because it is easy to care for and can grow to a large size, providing plenty of climbing and hiding places for your chameleon. Also called Devil’s Ivy. Easy to grow, with trailing vines. Veiled chameleons often nibble on the leaves.
• Philodendron – Heartleaf and lacy tree philodendrons have trailing growth. Non-toxic and easy to grow.
• Spider Plant – Trailing, graceful foliage. Easy to care for and hardy.
• Wandering Jew – Trailing stems with vivid purple leaves. Thrives in high humidity.
• Boston Fern – Feathery fronds good for hiding. Needs consistent moisture.
• Grape Ivy – Trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves. Grows quickly and easily.

Climbing Vines

Climbing vines provide sturdy stems for chameleons to climb up. They also give an authentic jungle look.

Good options include:

• Pothos – In addition to hanging baskets, pothos can climb background walls. Fast growing.
• Philodendrons – Heartleaf, Brazil, and lacy tree philodendrons make good climbers.
• Passion flower – Exotic blooms and fast-growing vines. Needs lots of light.
• Jasmine – Adds fragrance along with climbing vines. Indirect light.

Foliage Plants

Foliage plants give hiding spots, climbing surfaces, shade, and help maintain humidity.

Popular choices:

• Ficus – (Ficus spp.): Ficus plants, such as rubber plants (Ficus elastica) and weeping figs (Ficus benjamina), are also a good choice for chameleon enclosures. They have large leaves that provide plenty of shade and humidity, and they are relatively easy to care for. Avoid sap.
• Dracaena – Sturdy stems with compact foliage. Slow growing and easy care.
• Yucca – Stout woody trunk with pointy foliage. Thrives in heat and humidity.
• Umbrella plant – Provides dappled shade and humidity. Avoid skin irritation.
• Parlor Palm – Graceful arching fronds. Great for humidity and shade.
• Chinese Evergreen – Low light and humidity loving. Lush patterned leaves.
• Croton – Colorful leaves but toxic if ingested. Use sparingly.

Flowering Plants

Flowering plants provide visual interest but aren’t essential. Some chameleons enjoy nibbling the blooms.

Options include:

• Hibiscus – (Hibiscus spp.): Hibiscus plants are a beautiful addition to any chameleon enclosure, and they also provide plenty of climbing and hiding places for your chameleon.Tropical blooms. Some chameleons like eating the flowers. Needs lots of light.
• Bromeliads – (Bromeliaceae spp.): Bromeliads are a type of succulent plant that is native to Central and South America. They are a good choice for chameleon enclosures because they are easy to care for and can grow in a variety of conditions. Vibrant, colorful flower spikes. Provide ambient humidity.
• Orchids – Exotic blooms. Prefer indirect bright light and high humidity.
• African Violet – Fuzzy leaves with purple, white, or pink blooms. Avoid direct sunlight.
• Bromeliad – Colorful exotis blooms, enjoy humidity, sturdy foliage.

Caring for Plants in a Chameleon Enclosure

To keep plants healthy inside a chameleon habitat, there are some important care considerations:

• Lighting – Most plants need adequate UVB lighting. Avoid intense heat lamps.
• Watering – Check soil moisture frequently. Most like moderately moist soil.
• Humidity – Mist plants and keep ambient humidity around 60-80%.
• Soil – Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot. No fertilizer.
• Drainage – Ensure pots have drainage holes to reduce risk of rot.
• Air flow – Good ventilation balances humidity while supplying fresh air.
• Pruning – Trim back overgrown vines, stems, and leaves as needed.

It’s also essential to monitor the plants for signs of disease or pests and remove any dead or dying foliage immediately to keep the habitat clean and prevent disease spread.

Preparing and Disinfecting New Plants

Before placing store-bought plants into a chameleon enclosure, they should be prepared:

• Remove any pesticides or residue by thoroughly rinsing foliage, stems, and soil.
• Re-pot the plant in a clean pot with new organic, fertilizer-free soil.
• Trim any dead or dying portions of the plant. Remove insects.
• Place the plant in a separate quarantine area for 2-4 weeks before adding to the enclosure.
• Monitor for signs of disease or pests during quarantine period.

This helps remove any potentially toxic residues and ensures the plant is healthy before exposing the chameleon.

Common Plant-Related Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to make mistakes when selecting and caring for live plants in a chameleon enclosure:

• Using toxic plants – Certain plants are poisonous. Always verify a plant is non-toxic for chameleons before using it.
• No drainage – Lack of drainage holes in pots easily causes root rot. Make sure pots drain.
• Wrong lighting – Plants have specific lighting needs. Provide adequate UVB.
• Overwatering – Soil that’s too wet results in root rot. Let soil partially dry out between waterings.
• Underwatering – Dry soil will cause leaves to brown, wilt, and drop.
• No cleaning – Always quarantine and rinse new plants before adding to remove pesticides.
• Using fertilizer – Fertilizer in the soil can harm chameleons. Use fertilizer-free organic mixes.
• Overcrowding – Too many plants cramp the usable space for the chameleon. Find the right balance.

Mistake	Consequence	Solution
Lack of water	Plants may die from dehydration, especially those with thin leaves like ficus pumila	Check the soil moisture every week and water the plants as needed. Use a water squirt bottle or a dripper to reach the plants in the back of the cage
Too much water	Plants may rot or develop fungal infections, which can harm the chameleon’s health	Make sure the plants have good drainage and do not overwater them. Allow the soil to dry out a little between waterings
Not enough light	Plants may become weak, pale, or leggy, and lose their leaves	Provide adequate artificial or natural light for the plants, depending on their light requirements. Use a full spectrum bulb or a plant grow light to supplement the light
Too much light	Plants may get burned, wilted, or dried out by the heat or UV rays	Choose plants that can tolerate high light and heat, or provide some shade for the plants. Avoid placing plants too close to the heat or UVB sources
Not enough foliage and coverage	Chameleon may feel stressed, exposed, or insecure in its cage	Use plants that have dense, bushy, or trailing foliage to create hiding spots and microclimates for the chameleon. Use hanging baskets, climbers, or filler plants to fill the gaps
Not pruning the plants	Plants may grow too large, hit the ceiling, or block the light for other plants	Trim the plants regularly to keep them in shape and size. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged parts of the plants
Using toxic or irritating plants	Chameleon may get sick, poisoned, or injured by ingesting or touching the plants	Choose plants that are safe and non-toxic for chameleons. Avoid plants that have sap, thorns, spines, or sharp edges. Check the list of safe plants for chameleons

Ideal Enclosure Setup with Live Plants

When setting up a chameleon enclosure, use the following steps to add live plants:

• Select 2-4 types of plants such as a hardy hanging plant, a climbing vine, a focal point foliage plant, and an accent flowering plant.
• Pick plants suited to warm, humid conditions and the lighting available.
• Add sturdy climbing branches anchored securely.
• Install lighting and ventilation.
• Line bottom of enclosure with low-light foliage plants if space allows.
• Place hanging baskets centered at each end and climbing vines along the rear wall.
• Position focal point foliage plant near the center, slightly off to the side.
• Accent with a flowering plant in one corner, out of the chameleon’s main path.
• Use organic, fast-draining soil mixtures in all pots and planters.
• Ensure plants are clean, healthy and pest-free before introducing the chameleon.
• Monitor temperature, humidity, lighting, and plant health. Trim and replace plants as needed.

Keeping your chameleon enclosure well-planted provides a stimulating, comfortable habitat that mimics their wild environment. Just be sure to do your research on plant safety, and properly prepare and care for the plants for optimal health.

A lush, jungle-like home with places to climb, hide, bask, and explore will result in a happy, healthy chameleon pet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Plants for Chameleons

Key Takeaways on Plants for Chameleons

• Live plants are vital in chameleon enclosures to provide hydration, humidity, hiding spots, climbing surfaces, shade, and enrichment.
• Research plant toxicity and only use non-toxic varieties safe for chameleon skin and ingestion.
• Hanging, climbing, tropical foliage, and flowering plants help recreate the chameleon’s natural habitat.
• Plants require proper lighting, humidity, soil, temperature, and airflow to remain healthy inside the enclosure.
• Always quarantine, clean, and inspect new plants before adding to a chameleon habitat.
• Avoid common mistakes like poor drainage, incorrect lighting, using fertilizer, overwatering, and overcrowding plants.
• A mix of 2-4 small to medium sized plants provides optimal functionality and aesthetics.

Keeping live plants creates a thriving, jungle-like home chameleons enjoy. With the right selection and care, plants can be an excellent addition to any chameleon enclosure.