An nice addition to a snake’s terrarium is live plants. They enhance the vivarium’s naturalistic appearance by improving its aesthetics. They help with waste management by removing nitrogen waste from your snake. They can provide refuge and comfort for some arboreal snake species. However, you must select plants that are both snake-safe and non-toxic.
Spider plants, jade plants, pothos, bromeliads, bamboo, cactus, orchids, snake plants, dwarf schefflera, peperomia, African violets, and ponytail plants are all non-toxic plants for a snake’s vivarium. Ensure that all of the plants are in good health and free of insects.
In their enclosures, snakes require a source of enrichment. While certain live plants are beneficial to ball pythons, corn snakes, boa constrictors, and other common pet snakes, other plants should be avoided. Daffodils, dumbcane, voodoo lily, English Ivy, locusts, common sages, peace lilies, wandering Jew, tulips, and Virginia creeper are poisonous or invasive to snakes.
What Are Safe Plants for Snakes?
In your snake’s terrarium, live plants offer a more enticing presentation. You can’t just put any plant in a terrarium without first investigating its reptile toxicity, invasiveness in an enclosed space, and water, heat, and lighting requirements.
Plants for Low Humidity Enclosures
The following plants are suitable for enclosures with snake’s terrarium that don’t have high humidity requirements or like their environment to be relatively dry.
Caudiciforms
These are plants with water-storing stems. As a result, they require less humidity and water, making them ideal for terrariums that are designed to be kept dry:
Aloe dwarves, Lace aloe, Climbing aloe, Bromeliads (avoid types with spines), Elephant trees, Ceropegias vines, Cow or oxtongue bowtie, Geraniums, Grapes, Haworthias, Cacti without thorns, Ponytail palms, Gasterhaworthia.
Snake Plants
These are air-purifying plants that require little water and humidity. Sanseviera trifciata, often known as Mother-in-tongue, Law’s is a common snake species. Snake plants decay fast, so only water them when the earth is completely dry. While they can handle both direct and indirect sunlight, they prefer indirect light, making them an excellent choice for your snake’s terrarium. Some species of snake plants suitable for snake enclosures include Aaethiopica, Kirkii pulchra, Parva, Caniculata, Sinularis, Thyrsiflora, Pinguicula, Trifasciata.
Tillandsia
Tillandsia is a Bromeliaceae genus with 650 perennial flowering plants. Tillandsia, often known as air plants, has silvery leaves that cling to barks, bare rocks, tree branches, and whatever else the environment permits. Some Tillandsia species have relatively little root systems and flourish in arid soil.
Ccyanea, Bbrachycaulos, Anceps, and Lineniana are Tillandsia species that can be grown as epiphytes or planted in soil. Others are strictly air plants with a thick layer of grey scales covering them. They don’t have roots, therefore they can survive on rough tree barks or trunks, branch joints, and even man-made decorations in your snake’s enclosure.
Without the need for soil or plant matter, the Drunken Gnome Tillandsia Air Plant Variety Pack can create a bright display in your snake’s habitat. Ionantha, Bulbosa, and Usneoides all demand strong light and soaking in water on a regular basis.
How to Take Care of Air Plants
In comparison to conventional houseplants, air plants demand a distinct type of maintenance. After you’ve received your plants, soak them for 20-30 minutes. After soaking the plant, take note of its color and size, as this is a good measure of its health. Allow your air plant to dry before placing it in the vivarium of your snake.
Every 4 to 5 days, mist your air plant with 2 to 3 sprays of water. The plant should be able to hold water for longer in a closed snake enclosure. The more airflow and lower humidity inside the cage, the more watering the plant will require.Air plants should not be left in direct sunlight. They prefer indirect sunlight, so place them inside your snake’s habitat in hollowed-out logs or artificial vivarium decorations.