Live plants are a vital part of any tortoise’s natural habitat. The more you can replicate that natural habitat in your own enclosures, the better your tortoise’s quality of life is likely to be!
You don’t need a green thumb to create a safe, beautiful, plant-filled tortoise enclosure. But you do need to know which plants are safe to grow around your tortoises.
In this article, I’ll introduce you to the concept of growing live plants in your tortoise enclosure and give you a head start with a list of tortoise safe plants and which ones to avoid.
Benefits of Safe Plants in Tortoise Diets
Your tortoise’s diet should consist almost entirely of fresh produce. One of the best ways to fill that need is by creating an edible landscape for your tortoise to roam!
Tortoises are opportunistic feeders and natural foragers, often able to survive long periods without food. Having access to living plant material allows your pet tortoise to engage in that behavior in addition to routine meal times.
In my experience, tortoises with diverse enclosures are more eager to explore and engage with their surroundings. While live plants aren’t the only factor that can contribute to your tortoise’s habitat, they are a great option.
Another benefit of adding live plants to your tortoise enclosure is that it can make the habitat more attractive to the human eye. Whether indoors or outside, there’s nothing I love more than a tortoise enclosure that blends into the surrounding landscape or room design!
List of Safe Plants for Tortoises
There are over 350,000 known plant species in the world—far too many for us to name in this one article! However, I’m hoping to equip you with a strong understanding of the most common plants your tortoise can safely consume.
In this section, you’ll find an alphabetical list of different plant types. While some can be fed in large quantities, be sure to make note of those that should only be fed in moderation.
Common plant names can vary, so don’t forget to reference the Latin names to avoid confusion!
Grasses and Hays
Grasses and hays should make up the bulk of most domestic tortoise diets. These plants are high in fiber, low in fat and protein, and perfect for grazing on for hours at a time.
- Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) — in moderation
- Barley (Hordeum spp.)
- Barnyard (Echinochloa spp.)
- Bermuda (Cynodon dactylon)
- Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardi)
- Buffalo (Bouteloua dactyloides)
- Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.)
- Fescue (Festuca spp.)
- Oat (Avena spp.)
- Orchard (Dactylis glomerata)
- Pampas (Cortaderia selloana)
- Quackgrass (Elymus repens)
- Rye (Lolium perenne)
- St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum)
- Timothy (Phleum pratense)
- Wheat (Triticum spp.)
Flowers and Herbs
Why not design a landscape both you and your tortoise can enjoy? These flowering plants and herbs are all safe for your tortoise to eat.
Plants that should only be fed in moderation are great for areas outside the enclosure where your tortoise may occasionally spend time exploring. Others, like the African Violet, are safe to plant inside the enclosure or right along its perimeter.
- African Violet (Saintpaulia ionanth)
- Alyssum (Alyssum spp.) — in moderation
- Aster (Aster spp.)
- Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum) — in moderation
- Bee Balm (Monarda spp.)
- Begonia (Begonia spp.) — in moderation
- Bellflower (Campanula spp.)
- Bugleweed (Ajuga spp.) — in moderation
- Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp.) — in moderation
- Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) — in moderation
- Coleus (Plectranthus spp., Solenostemon spp.)
- Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)
- Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.) — in moderation
- Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.)
- Cosmos (Cosmos spp.) — in moderation
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) — in moderation
- Dahlia (Dahlia spp.) — in moderation
- Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) — in moderation
- Gerber Daisy (Gerbera spp.) — in moderation
- Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)
- Hosta (Hosta spp.) — in moderation
- Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum criniflorum)
- Jasmine (Jasminum spp.) — in moderation
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.) — in moderation
- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) — in moderation
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- Mint (Mentha spp.) — not Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
- Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) — in moderation
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Pansy (Viola spp.)
- Perennial Geranium (Geranium spp.)
- Petunia (Petunia spp.) — in moderation
- Phlox (Phlox spp.) — in moderation
- Pot Marigold (Calendula spp.)
- Rose (Rosa spp.) — in moderation
- Sage (Salvia spp.) — in moderation
- Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.)
- Spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.) — in moderation
- Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) — in moderation
- Thyme (Thymus spp.)
- Violet (VIola spp.)
- Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)
Shrubs and Trees
Many tortoises enjoy munching on hardier foliage from shrubs and trees. These plants have leaves, flowers, and other parts that can safely be offered to your tortoise for some variety. Avoid feeding plant materials that are too tough or have dangerous obstacles like thorns.
- Apple/Crabapple (Malus spp.) — in moderation
- Apricot/Cherry/Peach/Plum (Prunus spp.) — in moderation
- Banana (Musa spp.) — in moderation
- Barberry (Berberis spp.) — in moderation
- Beech (Fagus spp.) — in moderation
- Birch (Betula spp.) — in moderation
- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.) — in moderation
- Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.) — in moderation
- Camellia (Camellia japonica) — in moderation
- Cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) — in moderation
- Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) — in moderation
- Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
- Elm (Ulmus spp.)
- Flowering Maple (Abutilon spp.)
- Forsythia (Forsythia spp.) — in moderation
- Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.) — in moderation
- Grape Vine (Vitis spp.) — in moderation
- Hebe (Hebe spp.)
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, H. syriacus)
- Jacaranda (Jacaranda spp.)
- Lilac (Syringa spp.)
- Magnolia (Magnolia spp.) — in moderation
- Maple (Acer spp.) — in moderation
- Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) — in moderation, do not confuse with Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
- Mulberry (Morus spp.)
- Olive (Olea europaea) — in moderation
- Raspberry/Blackberry (Rubus spp.) — in moderation
- Rose of Sharon (Cistus spp.) — in moderation
- Spirea (Spiraea spp.)
- Weigela (Weigela spp.) — in moderation
Common Toxic Plants to Avoid
In addition to the recommended plants above, here you’ll find a list of common plants we know are toxic to hungry tortoises. Of course, this list just scratches the surface, and you should look up any plant you’re unfamiliar with before giving your tortoise access.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.)
This common perennial is best kept away from your tortoise habitat. It is toxic to grazing livestock and may have similar effects on reptiles.
Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Mildly toxic. It should not be fed or grown within a tortoise enclosure.
Morning Glory (Convolvulaceae family)
The Morning Glory family includes several ornamental and weedy vining plants. While some morning glories may be safe for tortoises in small quantities, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Oleander (Nerium oleander)
A popular landscape shrub in many climates. Oleander is infamous for its poisonous plant parts and should be kept far away from any tortoise habitat.
Periwinkle (Vinca spp.)
Periwinkle, or plants belonging to the genus Vinca, are considered to be mildly toxic to tortoises and other grazing animals. These flowering vines spread vigorously, so I recommend avoiding them in your garden altogether to be safe.
Leadwort (Plumbago spp.)
Some wild tortoises eat leadwort plants in their natural habitats. However, the sap of plumbago can cause skin irritation and indigestion, so it should be kept away from pet tortoises.
Rhubarb (Rheum spp.)
Commonly grown for its edible stems. All other parts of the rhubarb plant contain high levels of oxalates, which are toxic to tortoises as well as most other pets.
Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
According to The American College of Emergency Physicians, these shrubs contain a toxic compound called cyanogenic glycoside. Keep away from tortoises and their enclosures.
Lily (Lilium spp.)
True lilies are very toxic. This includes Asiatic lilies, tiger lilies, and other common varieties. Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.) are a safe alternative.
Peony (Paeonia spp.)
All parts of the peony plant are toxic. The exact effect on tortoises is not known. I recommend keeping peonies away from your tortoise to be safe.
Oak (Quercus spp.)
Oak trees contain tannic acid, which is toxic to tortoises. The acid is most concentrated in the young leaves and acorns. Avoid placing your tortoise enclosure near a mature oak tree.
Incorporating Plants into a Tortoise Habitat
The hardest part of adding live plants to a tortoise habitat is finding plants that match your pet’s needs. For example, a tortoise that likes high humidity (e.g., a red-footed tortoise) won’t fare well in an enclosure filled with desert cacti or vice-versa!
If you’re designing an outdoor enclosure, you’ll also need to account for your local climate. Native plants (or those from similar climates to your own) will be the easiest to grow and care for.
When adding live plants to an indoor enclosure, I highly recommend using small pots rather than planting directly into the habitat’s substrate. This extra step will make maintaining the plants and surrounding enclosure much easier.
It can be hard to find quality plants that haven’t been treated with pesticides. These chemicals can be harmful to tortoises. I recommend connecting with organic nurseries and greenhouses in your area who should be able to help source safe plants for your tortoise habitat.
Maintaining Plant Health in Tortoise Habitats
Keep in mind that you may not be able to maintain plants in your tortoise habitat as you would those in your regular lawn or garden. If you must apply fertilizer or any other treatment to your tortoise plants, opt for natural formulas that are certified as safe for reptiles. Remember that organic does not always equal safe!
Clean up any damaged or dying plant material just as you would old tortoise food. Decaying plant material is a haven for pests, bacteria, and fungi.
Monitor plants (especially new ones) for signs of pests or disease. While these issues probably won’t directly affect your tortoise, it’s best to catch and treat them early for both the plant’s and your pet’s sake.
Citations
- The Tortoise Table Plant Database
- Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital Edible Plants and Weeds for Tortoises and Land Turtles
- Tortoise Group Plants List
