Best real (hopefully cheap) plants for cresties?

[ketz]

I was thinking of getting some live plants to put in my gecko's tank, at least some point in the near future. I was wondering what plants would be safe for them to have and which ones are most easily taken care of with a low level of light?

Thanks for any help!

 

[darkridder]

This list was put together by Lunar Gecko, so thanks to her!
Dieffenbachia - (Dumbcane) All parts of the plant are poisonous, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. . It has been known to cause the death of cats, dogs, and small childern. This plant is considered a neurotoxin.
http://media.merchantcircle.com/1751...rina_full.jpeg


Codiaeum variegatum and Croton look the same accept Croton (genus) Croton Oil is used as an active ingredient in facial chemical peels. Also in the past Croton oil was used in herbal medicine as a violent purgative. Some have claimed is has killed there pets.

This list is a crestie safe list.
Bromeliads:

*Aechmea fasciata (Urn plants/Silver Vase Bromeliad) – Large

*Billbergia nutans – (queens Tears) partial shade to bright indirect light

*Cryptanthus zonatus (Earth stars) – warm, humid, bright light

*Guzmania lingulata – warm, humid, bright light

*Nidularium – 12-15 inches, low to Med. Light

*Tillandsia – Air plant, warm & humid

*Vrisea splendens (sword bromeliads) Light shade


~Other Plants:

*Acalphya (copperleafs, chenille plants)

*Adiantum (maidenhair ferns) – cool and dry in winter

*Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens) – do well in low lights, highly recommended

*Alocasia (elephant ears) – must be kept moist, humid and warm, will either not do well or overgrow everything

*Asplenium (Bird’s nest fern) – moist soil, up to 3 feet high

*Bamboo - (live or dry) please the the Wikipedia article, way to much intresting info to list! Clippings will produice.

*Beaucarnea recurvata - (Ponytail Palms)

*Calathea zebrine - (Zebra plant) – moist moderate temps, moderate light

*Ceropegia woodii - (Rosary Vine,Hearts entangled, or String of hearts) Water thoroughly, and then allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again.

*Chlorophytum (spider plants) – average humidity, moderate light, should be allowed to get almost dry before watering

*Cissus (kangaroo vines, grape ivys) – no moist soil

*Codiaeum variegatum (often confused for Croton, because of this it is often labeled "croton" as a common name)

*Crassula ovata - (Jade Plant, Friendship tree or Money plant)Clippings will produice.

*Cyrtomium - (Holly ferns)

*Dracaena - (Dragon plants)

*Ficus (rubber trees, ornamental figs) should be washed of when dirty, do wellin spotlight, Use caution with any plant of the ficus family that has a "milky sap" when leafs/stems are broken, it is a skin and eye irratant.

*Maranta - (prayer plant) warm temps, high humidity

*Peperomia - (radiator plant) some in this family are an epiphyte or air plant. Clippings will generally produice.

*Radermachera sinica - (China Doll)very difficult to root, Growth slowers used by nurserys will grow fast and less bushy.

*Sanseveria - (Snake Plants)aethiopica,caniculata,kirkii pulchra, parva, pinguicula, sinularis, thyrsiflora & trifasciata

*Scindapsus (Pothos) - looks like philodendron, very hardy. Clippings will produice.

*Schefflera arboricola - (Umbrella Plant)

*Spathiphyllum - (peace lilies)

*Tradescantia zebrina - (wandering Jew/ spiderwart) Can cause skin iritation in humans when handeld frequently. Clippings will produice. Called inch plant because it can grow up to an inch a day!

*Pillow Moss- Moss is notoriously hard to keep alive and spread and requires a lot of light and water (probably too much than a Rhac would receive in the wild).


*****WARNING*****
These plants have been claimed by some to be harmful in tanks with live animals. Some have been use with little to no problems, others are dangerous. Please use with cation or not at all.

*Hedera helix - (Ivy, English Ivy) This plant is nontoxic to birds but is toxic to humans. It is unknown what would happen when and if a feeder insect were to eat it then a reptile were to eat it in exhange. I think it is best to avoid.

*Philodendron- All parts of the plant are poisonous, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. Make sure to double check this vs. Pothos, they look alike and are generly mix together at most plant stores. Some say that this plant is safe but from my reading I do not agree.

 

[ketz]

Alright! Thanks for that list that was great. Now, I'm thinking of getting a Pothos and keeping it in the pot while keeping it in the tank. Should I worry that my crestie will dig in the soil and ruin the plant, also should I change what type of soil is in the plants pot? Thanks again.

 

[darkridder]

I personally would change the soil because there may have been ferts used in it. Pull the soil out and clean the pot well (with bleach 10:1 solution water:bleach), then use organic potting soil. To keep your crested from digging in the soil you can then take some aquarium gravel (the larger stones) and cover the top of the soil with that to insure your gecko doesnt dig in it.

Honestly there are alot of faily cheap plants, pothos is one, spider plants are super cheap, "peach lillies" you can usually find for like $5. But they really do prefer plants they can hide out in and on, things like mother in laws tongue which is usually under $10 when bought small, money trees. Bromides are very studry plants and they love those also but they are a bit more pricey and harder to care for.

 

[serialzombie]

I can usually find bromeliads for under five dollars, and I find them extremely easy to care for. Just keep them spritzed down with water, and if needed, drain the rosette of stagnant water. Additionally, they will generally reward you with beautiful inflorescence.

You can simply wrap the base of a bromeliad around a branch with spanish moss and twine, completely eliminating soil, giving a very pleasing look, and a lot of climbing/hiding space.