The plant section is currently being developed and will never fully be completed. It is meant as a start for your research into the plants that will work in each of your environments. This section will be divided into 6 parts. General information on planting, lighting and tips are found on this page.
First and foremost remember that the plants are an enhancement for the lizard and you will choose plants that match the lizard environment as his/her health is the priority.
Second, research the plant and your species for any complications. IE. Ficus Benjamina and pothos have caused issues with chameleons. But the pothos makes a great iguana treat. Another caution is oxalate content which inhibits the absorbtion of calcium and other minerals and be aware of how much your reptile may be eating.
Remember there are many complications with plants that I cannot begin to explain. Research each of your choices and be aware of what may need to keep an eye on.
PLANTING
There are 3 recommended ways of planting:
If planting directly into the soil you will need a drainage layer under the substrate. There are 2 pages here that cover that subject in depth.
Leaving the plant inside the pot; bury in the substrate. A drainage hole in the bottom of the pot. Or use a clay pot which will help absorb the water.
Use a plastic pot with reservoir for a plant that needs more water than you would prefer to have in the substrate.
Leave the plant in the pot with a drainage hole in it. Place into a little larger pot without a hole and fill with small rocks and place this into the substrate.
Many with desert vivaria recommend the potted method and removing the plants for a soak in the sink to keep their humidity down don't place them back into the vivarium until the soil has dried some, 24 hours and you should not have to worry much about humidity being raised in the vivarium.
Many recommend having an extra and changing them out when they need a break.
LIGHTING AND HEAT
I can't tell you what the best brand names are for lighting. I can say that we do not replicate the sun well and our UVB lighting is very weak even in the best of brands. While many plants can adapt they will rarely flower. Plants with a high light need may need to have an extra UVB spot lamp. If the environment is tall the UVB will not penetrate to the ground level. In this case you want low light plants that will thrive in what amounts to no light.
Most plants that will be used can generally be sustained between 60 to 85 F. Heat lamps too close to foliage will burn the leaves.
WATER
Many plants are susceptible to drowning. A drainage layer will help to solve the issue. A drowning plant will often lose leaves from the bottom.
A plant that is too dried will often shrivel leaves from the top down. Cacti will develop brown spots.
Some plants don't like for their leaves to be wet and need to be watered from the soil. While others like their cones filled with it providing small frogs with a great home base.
Succulents need deep but very infrequent watering. The soil needs to dry out between watering completely.
Cross reference the arid plants with those on the temporate and tropical list. These will be plants that will do well in a temporate.
Cross reference edibles with the other lists as well.
