Chameleons are among the most charming reptiles to keep as pets. The personality of chameleons makes them more recognizable in pop culture than most other cold-blooded animals.
Plants are the star of the show when it comes to building a beautiful home for your new pet chameleon. The main species kept as pets are the Veiled, Jackson, and Panther Chameleons, which inhabit lush green habitats. The more closely you mimic their natural habitat, the happier they will be.
Fill your chameleon's enclosure with lots of live plants to achieve this. For these reasons, I recommend live plants over artificial ones.
Chameleons love to hide in these covers, so they feel safe and secure. Stress-related illnesses can be prevented by doing this.
Chameleons can only drink water drops from plants. Drops form on plastic leaves, but what could be more natural than freshwater droplets forming on fresh green leaves?
The enclosure is kept humid with live plants. The presence of living breathing plants helps keep the air from becoming too dry, especially in the winter.
Chameleons sometimes consume plant matter. Your chameleon may mistake a plastic plant for a real one and eat it if it thinks it's real.
Plants that are alive produce more oxygen. It is natural for chameleons to prefer open spaces compared to stuffy apartments, so what better way to provide your chameleon with a boost of fresh oxygen and clean air than by using live plants.
Chameleons are arboreal by nature. 99% of their time is spent up in trees, so they need strong plants to climb around on in their cage.
I have personally tried many of the plants on this list, and many more are the results of my own research, but most importantly, all of them are safe for your chameleon since not all plants are created equal.
A chameleon can't just be given any old plant and hope for the best. Most plants can harm your chameleon by irritating its skin or by causing more serious problems if ingested. There is no problem with any of the ones listed here.
Chameleons: What You Need to Know
Chameleons are interesting creatures that display some unusual quirks that humans often find delightful.
Chameleons can move each eye independently. A unique feature of their eyes is the ability to rotate them almost 360 degrees - no other animal can do this.
Their opposable digits enable them to grip things in a human-like way that you won't see in any other lizard.
The chameleon's long and powerful tongue is used to clean its own eyes and catch prey that's far away - and it has an incredibly endearing personality.
When you have experience with other pet lizards, chameleons are definitely worth considering.
Do the right thing and create the environment your pet will love if you decide to adopt one. You are also responsible for keeping your chameleon healthy and happy by populating the tank with vibrant plants.
Chameleons Need Plants to Survive. Why?
Plants are a crucial part of building quality chameleon digs. Plants in the habitat serve a variety of useful purposes.
Live plants offer the following benefits:
The plants in the tank help maintain a healthy humidity level.
Chameleons can hide in plants to feel safe and secure in their environment.
Pets benefit from terrarium plants because they help clean the air.
Chameleons love to climb, and the right plants allow them to do so freely.
Most chameleons spend most of their lives climbing in and hiding behind plants and trees. If you recreate something natural in their tank, your chameleon will be happiest.
Top 10 Safe Plant List for Chameleon's Habitats
Chameleon habitats can be safely filled with the following plants.
Choose plants that you can properly care for and that will suit your lifestyle and your lizard's preferences.
Give your chameleon a habitat that closely simulates its natural environment by choosing strong, woody plants, trailing vines, and other interesting flora.
1. Weeping Fig
It is estimated that there are hundreds of Ficus species. Ficus benjamina is likely to be used as a chameleon habitat.
For those of us who aren't botanists, it's called the Weeping Fig or the Benjamin Fig, depending on where you buy it.
Despite their quirks, these Ficus are beautiful and hardy.
Light for Weeping Figs: Most Ficus varieties benefit greatly from direct sunlight. You can take your Ficus out of the vivarium and place it in a sunny window once in a while if you can't place it near a window.
Water and Soil for Weeping Fig: Another characteristic of ficus is that they can be a little finicky about water. They should not be allowed to get too dry, but they should also not be overwatered. You should allow the top 12 - 1 inch of soil to dry out before watering. You should aim to get the soil damp rather than wet when you water. A Ficus will begin to lose leaves if you don't water it enough.
Tips for Caring for Weeping Figs: Weeping figs don't like to be moved around much. They may even drop all their leaves in defiance. Once you've established a healthy Ficus Benjamina, it's best not to move it. Oh, and they don't like to get too hot. Avoid placing your Weeping Fig too close to a heat lamp or hot bulb.
Ficus is a strong and easy-to-grow plant. Before showing signs of strain, they're willing to put up with a bit of bumbling from the grower.
When a Ficus plant breaks or is cut, the sap that results can irritate your lizard. In this case, remove the injured plant until the cut has healed.
2. Rubber Tree
In addition to being in the Ficus family (Ficus elastica, to be exact), the Rubber Tree (or Rubber Plant) is a great addition to your Chameleon tank.
Their lush green foliage and sturdy stalks are only part of what makes them so attractive. The Rubber Tree is, well, a tree.
Therefore, you should be aware that this Ficus can grow to several feet in height. It's obvious that's not ideal for most home lizard tanks.
In addition, the sap of the rubber tree can be mildly toxic. When your Chameleons are eating a lot of leaves or sappiness, it may be best to remove it from the setup.
Keep your Rubber Tree under control by pruning it regularly.
Lighting for Rubber Tree: The rubber tree likes partial to full exposure, but too much heat and UV rays will cause it to wither.
Water and Soil for Rubber Tree: Humidity is a favorite of rubber plants. However, they don't like being overwatered. Watch for signs of too much water (like yellow leaves) and keep them moist, but not drenched. Rubber plants do well in a good houseplant soil blend. Ensure good drainage, and repot when roots begin to outgrow the pot. Rubber Trees prefer somewhat snug pots, so choose pots that are only a couple of inches larger than the root ball.
Tips for Caring for Rubber Tree: It is one of the hardier Ficus species you can choose for your chameleon habitat. Ficus are pretty adaptable and low maintenance. Leaf drop is one of the first signs of trouble in a Rubber Tree. When this occurs, the plant will need more sunlight during the day.
3. Golden Pothos
Golden pothos has a common name, Devil's Ivy, due to its almost invincible nature.
Hunter's Robe, Solomon Islands Ivy, and Taro Vine are some of its other names.
Golden pothos produces fast-growing vines with brilliant yellow-green foliage that trail gracefully across surfaces.
Lighting for Golden Pothos: Pothos thrives in almost any type of lighting. As long as it's not too extreme, these plants can thrive in low light or near-full exposure. A note about lighting and Golden Pothos plants: the amount and quality of light will affect the number of golden streaks on the leaves.
Water and Soil for Golden Pothos: Because pothos doesn’t have deep roots, they don't require deep watering. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Your pothos leaves may begin to droop and appear rather pathetic if you wait too long. Like magic, they often come back to life after a bit of water. I wouldn't recommend letting your pothos get so parched, but it has a knack for surviving such droughts. Pothos plants do well with a basic houseplant mix. To prevent root problems, they also need adequate drainage.
General Care Tips for Golden Pothos: Due to their adaptability, these plants can tolerate a variety of conditions. Golden pothos can be trimmed back to encourage more density and new plants can be started from cuttings.
4. Yucca
Under the Yucca name, there are several varieties that look fantastic. As they have thick trunks, they are a perfect choice for chameleon tanks, giving your lizard something sturdy to climb on.
Yuccas are considered to be one of the best plants for air purification due to their spiky foliage.
Lighting for Yucca: Yucca grows best in partial shade. The best thing to do is to let them see some bright light each day without overwhelming them with hours of direct sunlight. Yuccas are often tolerant of too much light but may become stressed and turn yellow as a result.
Water and Soil for Yucca: Yuccas should be planted in pots with excellent drainage. When it comes to water, aim for moist, but not wet. (Yuccas hate being overwatered). Allow them to dry out between waterings, and use a pot with holes to provide proper drainage. Light soil that is not compacted is best.
General Care Tips for Yucca: Indoor Yuccas come in one of two forms: a "tree" with a single stalk supporting a cluster of foliage, or a "shrub" with several stalks and points of foliage. Take care not to get cut or poked by the spiky leaves if you prune them to maintain a shorter stature. Therefore, it's best to wait until your lizard is slightly mature before adding a Yucca. The spikes are more likely to injure baby chameleons.
5. Dracaena Compacta
A popular choice for chameleon habitats is Dracaena Compacta or the Compact Dragon Tree.
The deep green leaves and tightly arranged arrangement of compact make it an attractive addition to your tank.
It doesn't get very tall and grows slowly, making this variety ideal for use inside vivaria.
The thick trunk-like canes of this plant also provide support for climbing lizards.
Lighting for Dracaena Compacta: It is sometimes claimed that Dracaena plants tolerate shade. In practice, however, you may find that "shade tolerant" is not the same as "shade loving." Compact can live in areas with relatively low light levels, but they will begin to suffer if there is not enough UV light.
Water and Soil for Dracaena Compacta: There is no substitute for good drainage when it comes to Dracaena varieties. They're pretty tough, but they don't tolerate overwatering very well. You can let the soil completely dry out between each watering. Make sure the soil is airy and drains well.
General Care Tips for Dracaena Compacta: Problems with these plants are slow to manifest. Yours will probably continue to look good for a while as long as you don't take proper care of it. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, your dracaena will start to go downhill fast. It's too late to play catch-up and save the plant at this point. Thus, it's especially important to take good care of these little trees.
6. Hibiscus
Hibiscus plants produce elegant, frilly-edged flowers in shades of purple, yellow, orange, and more.
Numerous Hibiscus varieties are available for plant hobbyists, but most of them are notoriously hard to grow indoors.
One exception is Hibiscus rosa-sinensi, which is commonly called the Chinese Hibiscus.
This variety offers all the delicate beauty that makes the Hibiscus so beloved without requiring so much maintenance.
Lighting for Hibicus: A hibiscus plant will definitely need adequate light. You may want to consider keeping more than one Hibiscus if the light in your vivarium is not sufficient to keep it healthy. So you can rotate them between the tank and a bright, sunny location in your home.
Water and Soil for Hibicus: Please water your Hibiscus generously, but let the soil dry on the surface before watering it again. It is fine to use houseplant soil for Hibiscus plants as long as you keep them repotted; they don't like to be rootbound at all.
General Care Tips for Hibicus: Trim back your Hibiscus aggressively once a year to keep it short and prolific. Cutting back all the beautiful growth may seem counterintuitive, but it will make your plant healthier in the long run.
7. Bromeliads
Bromeliads are related to pineapples, which is not a big surprise. Bromeliads are popular with plant hobbyists because they are colorful, tropical, and unique.
Only at the end of their life cycle do bromeliads flower. As a result, the leaves develop a vivid flush of color that is quite similar to the appearance of a flower.
They add color and texture to your tank and are usually sturdy enough to support a chameleon with an adventurous personality.
Lighting for Bromeliads: Heat and light are essential to bromeliads. People have grown Bromeliads successfully in low-light environments, but it's not ideal. To ensure they grow nicely - and eventually bloom - place them near a window or under a UV light.
Water and Soil for Bromeliads: Bromeliads shouldn't be overwatered. It is usually sufficient to keep them from drying out once a month. Many plant hobbyists have noticed that Bromeliads are sensitive to minerals in tap water. To avoid any issues, use distilled water for yours. Your Bromeliad will live a long and healthy life if you use a nutrient-rich succulent soil blend.
General Care Tips for Bromeliads: It's surprisingly easy to care for the stunning Bromeliad. Although it's pretty adaptable to a range of temperatures, it does require a bit of humidity to thrive. Pruning these plants isn't necessary, but you can snip off a cutting or two to start new plants. Due to their slow root development, bromeliads can go years between replantings. You may still need to add fresh soil periodically to make sure the plant has access to plenty of nutrients.
8. Jade Plant
Jade plants add a lush, exotic touch to your chameleon habitat. Additionally, their woody stems are strong enough for your lizard to climb.
Jade plants are fleshy succulents capable of outgrowing even a very large terrarium, so keep them trimmed back.
Lighting for Jade plant: Each day, jade plants need several hours of good, direct light. You should place them in an area that will receive plenty of solid UV coverage from your UV setup. It is recommended that you move your Jade plant to a sunny window daily (or at least every few days) to ensure it gets enough light.
Water and Soil for Jade plant: Jade plants don't require a lot of water since they are succulents. During the winter months, they are happiest when you don't give them any water at all. Before watering again, let your Jade plant's soil dry out during this time. Keep the soil moist (but not wet) the rest of the year. You should use distilled or purified water for jade plants, as the sodium in a lot of tap water can be detrimental to them.
General Care Tips for Jade plant: Jade plants don't mind having tight root systems, and they can be kept in the same pot for up to five years before replanting. Reporting them more often will make them grow faster. Consider this if you want a shorter, more compact Jade for your chameleon's tank.
9. Nasturtiums
With their perky and vibrant leaves, nasturtiums brighten up any space.
The Nasturtium flower is even more spectacular than the foliage - appearing in bright shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, and more.
In addition to their beautiful appearance, nasturtiums also have another major advantage: they're edible.
Nasturtiums are a good choice if you have a chameleon that loves to nibble on houseplants.
Lighting for Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums require at least partial sunlight. Therefore, you'll need to make sure your in-tank lighting system gives them plenty of UV exposure.
Water and Soil for Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums usually require only 1-2 waterings per week. Your Nasturtium plant will be fine as long as you keep the soil moist.
General Care Tips for Nasturtiums: If you give Nasturtiums something to latch onto, they will climb. Chameleons will probably enjoy navigating the vine-like stems of a healthy Nasturtium.
10. Spider Plant
The Spider plant's long, spindly leaves make it an attractive space-filler for your chameleon's tank.
A solid green plant with white variegation, Spiders are relatively easy to grow - even for novice gardeners.
Eventually, mature spider plants will produce delicate white flowers that only add to their unique appearance.
Lighting for Spider Plant: Spider plants don't like direct sunlight, so make sure they receive filtered or low-intensity light. Too much heat or UV exposure will likely turn their leaves brown and cause them to drop.
Water and Soil for Spider Plant: Your spider plant should be fine with plain old houseplant soil. Water it regularly. In general, spiders don't like being too dry or too wet. Try to maintain a happy medium for Spider plants. Keeping them healthy also requires good drainage.
General Care Tips for Spider Plant: Spider plants are prolific and probably need to be replanted every year. Spider plants produce little baby plants called pups, which can be snipped off and replanted to create new plants.
Preparing Plants for Chameleon Habitat
There are many of these plants available on Amazon and big stores like Home Depot and because these plants are grown in soil treated with chemicals and sprayed with pesticides, they cannot be used immediately in chameleon cages because these are highly poisonous to chameleons.
This does not mean they can't be used, it just means they need to be prepared properly.
While some keepers soak their plants in soapy water to remove bacteria, I've never done this and it seems tedious. Plants should only be treated like vegetables from the grocery store.
You can remove pesticides from your plants by following these steps:
Fill the sink with warm water and antibacterial soap.
If your plants are stuck, submerge them in water and gently swish them around to help loosen them up.
Leave the soapy film on the plants for several minutes, then remove the plants.
Ensure they are thoroughly rinsed.
Make sure you repeat this process at least three times to ensure no toxic chemicals are left behind.
In addition, commercial soil may contain fertilizers that harm chameleons.
Regarding the soil, I recommend repotting the plant in organic soil. As a result, your chameleon will be less likely to be harmed by any chemicals in fertilizer-laden soil. In the list, you may have noticed that nearly all of these plants require well-draining soil. From your local store or plant nursery, you can obtain organic versions of all the types of soil you need.
How to Set Up Your Enclosure with Plants
I would recommend the following:
A hanging basket hung on the other side of the heat lamp completes the top of the cage without leaving too much bare space, but doesn't make it too crowded.
You can have more foliage plants, but I wouldn't recommend more than four because it can crowd things. I always had two or three plants at the same time, depending on how leafy they were.
There is one climber plant that places this one at the bottom and tries to get it to grow across the floor and up both sides of the enclosure.
You can be as creative as you like here, but two on the floor and one halfway up will make things look pleasing.
Plant bendy vines like these between the plants to give your chameleon ample space to climb around and feel comfortable.
Tips for general plant care
By choosing plants with similar care requirements, I have ensured that they will all do well in the cage if you follow these general tips. Make sure you check the specific care instructions for the plants you choose though.
Usually, these plants need their soil to be moist but not soaked, so make sure to check the soil every time you perform your daily feeding and watering routine for your chameleon in order to avoid overwatering or underwatering.
Almost all of these plants require indirect light to thrive. Heat lamps and UVB bulbs are insufficient for plant growth and only plants adapted to low light conditions will survive. To simulate the sun and produce light with the same spectrum, the enclosure needs a bulb-like this one.
Nearly every plant requires well-draining soil, as you have probably read. A good quality organic potting soil will work for most plants. Depending on the specifics of the plant, a mixture may be required, but in general, an organic mix is fine. It is safer for your chameleon to eat organic food since it will not contain harmful pesticides.
I hope you found this guide useful and now know what plants are safe for your chameleon's cage.
Common Plant Care Mistakes
You might be dealing with one of these common culprits if your plants are not flourishing.
Overwatering
Overwatering is the number one killer of plants by well-intentioned people. Water is essential for plants. Many times, out of fear of drowning, we provide our houseplants with more water than they can use. As a result, you may end up throwing away a dead plant.
Underwatering
The opposite end of the watering spectrum is, of course, underwatering. Plants prefer soil that has been allowed to dry out between waterings. Plants, however, each have their own set of favored conditions. As a rule, desert plants like cactuses and succulents don't require as much water as most other types. Follow the care instructions for the plant you're working with.
Using the Wrong Soil
Plants require different types of soil. Many other kinds of house plants require more dense soil to thrive. Succulents require good drainage. A plant planted in unsuitable soil won't survive.
Too much (or not enough) light
When you purchase a new plant, read the instructions carefully. If it's a low-light fan, make sure it's protected from UV rays. Alternatively, you can place light-worshipping plants right next to your lighting setup (just not too close).
Where To Look For Chameleon Cage Plants
Your local home improvement store or nursery is the best place to find functional chameleon cage plants. You will want to shop in the house plants section unless you are constructing an outdoor enclosure. It is here that you'll find plants that can tolerate low light and indoor conditions.
Despite our wish to mimic wild conditions, we are not yet able to create a cage in which the lighting is as strong as the sun. For now, head over to the house plant section.
Plants are being sold online more and more, and you may be able to find a good source there.
Choosing a Plant That Will Work For You
There is no right or wrong way to select plants for your chameleon cage; it can be as simple as picking out plants you like and finding a place to put them in the cage; it can also be as complicated as creating a strict cage plan. A hybrid approach is a good idea.
Then, refine your plan based on the plants you find. Once you have a clear understanding of how the plants are used, you can make decisions on the fly.
Having one large pothos or ficus/schefflera as your main hiding area is a compromise between planning and artistic license. Once you find that large, bushy functional plant, you know the rest can be chosen artistically.
The image to the right shows just how much planning you need to do...and even that pothos can be switched on the spot if you find something better. You know what shape plants you need, though.
