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The Trees
Schefflera plant, aka umbrella plant
Banana leaf fig “Ficus maclellandii” or “Ficus alii”
Schefflera plant, aka umbrella plant
This is another popular choice for chameleon plants. They can get large enough to be a single plant in an enclosure, but they have slightly higher light and water demands (best to allow top 2-4 in of soil to dry). This plant has a few variegated types, although the solid green leaf variety will do better under the enclosure lighting. This plant can get top heavy, a large planter is recommended.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List and the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Ficus benjamina “Weeping fig”
Banana leaf fig “Ficus maclellandii” or “Ficus alii”
Schefflera plant, aka umbrella plant
This plant is a common choice for chameleon enclosures, its indoor mature height is 3-6 ft. It has high light requirements, and moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). This plant is sensitive to any changes in lighting or watering schedules and will drop its leaves to adapt to new climates. Best if purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List and the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Banana leaf fig “Ficus maclellandii” or “Ficus alii”
Banana leaf fig “Ficus maclellandii” or “Ficus alii”
Banana leaf fig “Ficus maclellandii” or “Ficus alii”
This plant is related to the Weeping fig but is less prone to leaf dropping. It has high light requirements (will not tolerate low lighting), and moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Best if purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Money Tree “Pachira aquatica” or “Guiana chestnut”
Monstera plant “Monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese plant”
Banana leaf fig “Ficus maclellandii” or “Ficus alii”
This plant is usually found with braided trunks, it’s indoor mature height is 3-6 ft. It does best in bright light but will tolerate lower lighting, and has lower watering requirements (allowing top 2-4 inches of soil to dry). May be placed in areas of the cage that may not have full access to enclosure lighting, not recommended for misting or dripper runoff area.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Monstera plant “Monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese plant”
Monstera plant “Monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese plant”
Monstera plant “Monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese plant”
This plant produces large heart shaped perforated leaves with identifying holes on long slender stems. It has low watering requirements (allowing top 2-4 inches of soil to dry) using distilled water for best results. It does best in ample light, although will tolerate low lighting. Not recommended for mister or dripper runoff area. Best placed in area with minimally obscured or full access to enclosure lighting.
Dragon tree “Dracaena marginata”
Monstera plant “Monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese plant”
Monstera plant “Monstera deliciosa” or “Swiss cheese plant”
This plant has long slender leaves branching from straight vertical stalks. The leaves may not support the full weight of an adult chameleon, the plants stalks are adequate for climbing. It is tolerant of lower lighting and has moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Can grow 6-8ft tall and will eventually require pruning to maintain size. Best used in areas of the cage where vertical access to horizontal branches is desired.
Parlor palm “Chamaedorea elegans”
Golden cane palm “Dypsis lutescens” or “Areca palm”
Golden cane palm “Dypsis lutescens” or “Areca palm”
Nearly identical in appearance to the golden cane palm, this plant can grow 2-6 ft tall, has slender leaves branching from long thin stems, which may not support the full weight of a large adult chameleon but provides decent coverage for privacy. This palm may tolerate lower lighting and has moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Best if purchased at least 2-3 ft tall and will survive if lighting is partially obscured by another plant.
Golden cane palm “Dypsis lutescens” or “Areca palm”
Golden cane palm “Dypsis lutescens” or “Areca palm”
Golden cane palm “Dypsis lutescens” or “Areca palm”
This plant has slender leaves branching from long thin stems, which may not support the full weight of a large adult chameleon but provides decent coverage for privacy. Sand and peat moss should be added in higher ratios and distilled water is recommended for best results. This plant has high lighting and moderate water requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Best if purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Rubber plant “Ficus elastica”
Golden cane palm “Dypsis lutescens” or “Areca palm”
Ti plant “Cordyline terminalis”
This plant has wide large rounded leaves branching from vertical stalks which will curve with the weight of the leaves as it grows. It has high lighting and moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). While not as dense as other types of ficus, its broad leaves can provide a fair amount of coverage. Best if purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting.
Ti plant “Cordyline terminalis”
China doll plant “Radermachera sinica” “Emerald tree” or “Serpent tree”
Ti plant “Cordyline terminalis”
This plant has wide large long leaves branching from vertical stems which may not support the full weight of a large adult chameleon but provides decent coverage for privacy. It has high lighting and moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Best if watered with distilled water and soil mixture without perlite is recommended. Best if purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting.
China doll plant “Radermachera sinica” “Emerald tree” or “Serpent tree”
China doll plant “Radermachera sinica” “Emerald tree” or “Serpent tree”
China doll plant “Radermachera sinica” “Emerald tree” or “Serpent tree”
This plant can grow to 4-6 ft indoors, has high light requirements and moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). This plant is sensitive to any changes in temperature, lighting or watering schedules and will drop its leaves to adapt to new climates. Best if purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
The Vines
Pothos “Epipremnum aureum”
Wandering Jew “Tradescantia zebrina” or “spiderwort”
Grape Ivy “Cissus rhombifolia”
The ever popular Pothos. These come in a variety of leaf variations, are very hardy, and do not have high light or water requirements. Considered to be one of the hardest plants to kill and great for beginners. They are the most popular of chameleon safe plants. Best hung/mounted to cascade into the enclosure or trained onto a trellis for vertical growth.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List and the Chameleons.info Safe Plant List
Grape Ivy “Cissus rhombifolia”
Wandering Jew “Tradescantia zebrina” or “spiderwort”
Grape Ivy “Cissus rhombifolia”
This is one of my personal favorite chameleon plants. It is very fast growing and will grow around and attach to the branches you have in your enclosure. They do well if kept damp, but nothing watering every few days can't handle (may tolerate drying of top 1-2 inches of soil if placed in low lighted area of enclosure). They are a great addition to your chameleons sanctuary.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Wandering Jew “Tradescantia zebrina” or “spiderwort”
Wandering Jew “Tradescantia zebrina” or “spiderwort”
Wandering Jew “Tradescantia zebrina” or “spiderwort”
This leafy vine has a striped leaf top with a purple underside, it is a hardy decorative plant that can grow up to 6ft. In length. This plant will have high light requirements to keep its coloration and has moderate watering needs (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Pruning will help the plant thicken or it can be left to grow long “legs”. Not recommended for mister or dripper runoff area. Best placed in a mounted planter for direct access to enclosure lighting, vines will trail down for additional coverage.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Spider plant “Chlorophytum comosum”
Black eye Susan vine “Thunbergia alata”
Wandering Jew “Tradescantia zebrina” or “spiderwort”
This plant starts off as an ornamental cluster of long slender leaves, but will grow vines with plantlets or “spiderettes” as it matures. It is tolerant of lower lighting and has moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry/distilled or filtered water is recommended). Best if placed in a mounted planter (with plantlets trailing for additional coverage) and will survive if lighting is partially obscured by another plant.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Passionflower “Passiflora incarnata”
Black eye Susan vine “Thunbergia alata”
Black eye Susan vine “Thunbergia alata”
This vine can have aggressive growth and will require a trailing trellis and pruning. Although famous for their fruit, this plant will not fruit when grown indoors. As with most plants do not fertilize during winter. It has high light and moderate to low watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry except during winter allow top 2-4 inches of soil to dry). This plant prefers cooler temperatures and will be best placed away from the heat lamp, while still in direct access to the plant lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Black eye Susan vine “Thunbergia alata”
Black eye Susan vine “Thunbergia alata”
Black eye Susan vine “Thunbergia alata”
This leafy vine produces brightly colored flowers (especially in outdoor enclosures) and will need ample lighting. It has moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). This plant will require a trellis to grow vertically or mounted/hung for vines to drape down. This plant will require placement with direct access to enclosure lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Ficus pumila “Ficus repens” or “Creeping fig”
Heart leaf philodendron “Cordatum, scandens, bipinnatifidum”
Wax plant/vine “Hoya carnosa/variegata/compacta”
This vine has small leaves and can climb or cascade from planter. It is known to be hardy and will tolerate partially obscured lighting. It has moderate to low watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry/except during winter allow top 2-4 inches of soil to dry without soaking the soil when watering). Not recommended for mister or dripper runoff area. Best placed in direct access to enclosure lighting but will tolerate lower light, however this will slow its growth and may cause leaf drop.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant Lis
Wax plant/vine “Hoya carnosa/variegata/compacta”
Heart leaf philodendron “Cordatum, scandens, bipinnatifidum”
Wax plant/vine “Hoya carnosa/variegata/compacta”
This leafy vine produces clusters of star shaped flowers and can grow 2-4 ft indoors. This vine has high lighting requirements, especially for flower growth, and has low watering needs (allowing top 2-4 inches of soil to dry and using room temperature water). This plant can climb a trellis or cascade from a planter. Best placed in direct access to enclosure lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Heart leaf philodendron “Cordatum, scandens, bipinnatifidum”
Heart leaf philodendron “Cordatum, scandens, bipinnatifidum”
Heart leaf philodendron “Cordatum, scandens, bipinnatifidum”
This vine produces heart shaped leaves and is similar in appearance to the pothos. It can tolerate low lighting and has moderate to low watering requirements (allowing top 1 inch of soil to dry/except during fall and winter allow top 2-4 inches of soil to dry). May be trained up a trellis or cascade from a mounted/hanging planter, preferably away from the heat lamp. Yellow leaves = overwatering, brown leaves = under-watering/over-fertilizing.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Monstera adansonii “Swiss cheese plant” (vine)
Monstera adansonii “Swiss cheese plant” (vine)
Heart leaf philodendron “Cordatum, scandens, bipinnatifidum”
This plant is a vine with very similar leaf holes as the Monstera deliciosa. Low light tolerant, however, will slow its growth. Moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of peat based soil to dry). May be placed in lower areas and in the fogger output/humidity pockets of the enclosure.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleons.info Safe Plant List
Ornamentals
Prayer plant “Maranta leuconeura”
Dracena Gold dust plant “Dracaena surculosa”
Dracena Gold dust plant “Dracaena surculosa”
This plant has distinctive leaf patterns and will fold its leaves at night. Although best in direct light this plant is tolerant of low lighting and has moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1 inch of the soil to dry). Best to use room temperature water. Not recommended for mister or dripper runoff area. May be placed in lower parts of the enclosure with partially obscured lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Dracena Gold dust plant “Dracaena surculosa”
Dracena Gold dust plant “Dracaena surculosa”
Dracena Gold dust plant “Dracaena surculosa”
This plant can grow to 30 inches and has thin stems with full foliage, great for coverage, but may not hold full weight of an adult chameleon. It does best in full light but may tolerate lower lighting (low light will affect its variegated colors, excessive or insufficient lighting may cause leaf drop). It has moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). Best placed where full foliage vertical growth is desired.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Polka dot begonia “Hypoestes phyllostachya”
Dracena Gold dust plant “Dracaena surculosa”
Polka dot begonia “Hypoestes phyllostachya”
This leafy plant produces speckled leaves in a variety of colors and may grow 1-2 ft tall. This plant has high watering requirements (allowing ½ inch of soil to dry). Best kept in at least 50% humidity, in a humidity pocket of the enclosure or in the path of the mister or fogger. Lighting requirements may vary depending on the plant variety, loss of coloration=needs more light/scorched leaves=too much light.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List and the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Hibiscus “Hibiscus rosa-sinensis”
Hibiscus “Hibiscus rosa-sinensis”
Polka dot begonia “Hypoestes phyllostachya”
This leafy bush is known for its large flowers, although will require access to sunlight for flowering. This plant has high lighting requirements and moderate watering needs (allowing top 1 inch of soil to dry, except during winter allow top 2-4 inches of soil to dry). Best placed in a large planter (1 gallon min) and purchased at 3-3.5 ft tall or smaller plants should be mounted for direct access to enclosure lighting (be sure your mounting hardware can support its weight).
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant Page
Nerve plant “Fittonia albivenis”
Hibiscus “Hibiscus rosa-sinensis”
Japanese aralia “Fatsia japonica”
This leafy plant will grow 6-24” tall depending on the variety of fattonia selected. The different species will produce different colored leaf veins. This plant has high humidity requirements, best placed in a humidity pocket of the enclosure or in the path of the mister or fogger. It has moderate watering needs (allowing top 1 inch of soil to dry). May be mounted or placed on the floor of your enclosure with full access or minimally obscured lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Japanese aralia “Fatsia japonica”
Hibiscus “Hibiscus rosa-sinensis”
Japanese aralia “Fatsia japonica”
This plant produces a cluster of long stems with large palmate leaves. It can grow up to 6 ft and can work as a centerpiece type plant in larger sizes, however this plant will do best in cooler temperatures and will tolerate low lighting. It has moderate to low watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry, 2-4 inches during winter). Keep away from heat lamp and best suited for humidity pocket areas of the enclosure. This is one of few plants that can tolerate shaded areas under mounted plants.
Split leaf philodendron “Philodendron bipinnatifidum”
Split leaf philodendron “Philodendron bipinnatifidum”
Split leaf philodendron “Philodendron bipinnatifidum”
This plant is very similar in appearance to the Monstera deliciosa. It can grow up to 6 ft in height and width indoors. It has high lighting and moderate watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry). This plant will require some pruning to keep overgrowth from blocking off branches or basking lighting. Best if placed in direct access to enclosure lighting.
Sickle Thorn Fern “Asparagus falcatus”
Split leaf philodendron “Philodendron bipinnatifidum”
Split leaf philodendron “Philodendron bipinnatifidum”
This leafy plant has thin stems that may become thorny as the plant matures, with a growth span of 6-7 meters tall, a young plant will be more appropriate for enclosures and will help reduce chameleons risk of injury. Will tolerate partly shaded area, however has high lighting requirements for growth. Fast draining soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged (watering when top 1/2 inch of soil is dry) and will thrive with occasional misting. May be planted in the path of enclosure misters/foggers.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe Plants List
Bromeliads “Bromeliaceae genera”
Split leaf philodendron “Philodendron bipinnatifidum”
Peacock plant “Calathea makoyama”
There are thousands of species of bromeliads with varying needs. Plants with stiff leaves will require more light, plants with soft flexible leaves require less light. Some bromeliad varieties are epiphytic and can be grown without soil. Watering requirements will vary between the two (epiphytic: mist regularly/terrestrial: water when top 2-4 inches of soil is dry). The center of the plant will form a cup which will require regular flushing. Best to mount epiphytic plants in the path of the mister. Keep in mind this plant flowers towards the end of its lifecycle.
Peacock plant “Calathea makoyama”
Lipstick plant “Aeschynanthus radicans”
Peacock plant “Calathea makoyama”
This plant produces patterned leaf tops with purple underside and can grow up to 2 ft in height. It does best in high humidity (60%). Brown leaf edges are a sign of low humidity. Distilled or rainwater is recommended. It has high lighting and watering requirements (allowing top ½ inch of soil to dry). Best purchased at 1.5-2 ft tall and placed in a humidity pocket or in the path of the mister or fogger and in an area of the enclosure with full access or minimally obscured lighting.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Pitcher Plant “Nepenthes”
Lipstick plant “Aeschynanthus radicans”
Lipstick plant “Aeschynanthus radicans”
This carnivorous plant grows tubular traps that provide nutrients to the plant through digestive nectars that break down insects inside their pitchers. They have high lighting requirements and high watering needs (water the roots, soil must be kept moist but not waterlogged-allow top 1/2 inch -1 inch of soil is dry). Care may vary per species, however, all will require distilled, filtered, or rain water and will do best in a low nutrient fast draining soil mixture of unmilled sphagnum moss and perlite or a mixture of peat moss, bark, and vermiculite. 50% humidity is recommended for pitcher production. Fertilizer is unnecessary and may cause your plant to “burn”. Feed your plant an insect (no larger than 1/3 the length of the tube) every 2-3 weeks. Best placed in direct access to enclosure lighting. (Tropical species are preferred because they do not require a winter dormancy period like their cooler counterparts) *Not for use with neonates (babies) for risk of becoming trapped inside the pitchers.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plants List
Lipstick plant “Aeschynanthus radicans”
Lipstick plant “Aeschynanthus radicans”
Lipstick plant “Aeschynanthus radicans”
This leafy vine produces flowers in a variety of different colors and may grow 2-3ft long. This plant has high lighting requirements for flower growth and does best in temperatures between 75-80 degrees. It has moderate to low watering requirements (allowing top 1-2 inches of soil to dry/except during fall and winter allow top 2-4 inches of soil to dry). This plant also does best in higher humidity with fast draining soil. Best mounted in direct access to enclosure lighting and near a mist head or in a humidity pocket.
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Ferns
All ferns will require full light to partially obscured lighting and will have moderately high watering requirements (keeping soil moist and using room temperature water). High humidity is recommended (50-70% humidity). Best placed in a humidity pocket of the enclosure or in the path of the mister or fogger. Not recommended for placement near heat lamps.
Boston fern “Nephrolepis exaltata”
Boston fern “Nephrolepis exaltata”
Boston fern “Nephrolepis exaltata”
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plants Page and the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant Page
Sword fern “Polystichum munitum”
Boston fern “Nephrolepis exaltata”
Boston fern “Nephrolepis exaltata”
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List
Maidenhair fern “Adiantum raddianum”
Asparagus fern “Asparagus aethiopicus”
Asparagus fern “Asparagus aethiopicus”
*sensitive to repotting/may recover from root ball when all leaves are trimmed at the stem base
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon Academy Safe Plant List
Asparagus fern “Asparagus aethiopicus”
Asparagus fern “Asparagus aethiopicus”
Asparagus fern “Asparagus aethiopicus”
This plant is listed as safe to use on the Chameleon.info Safe and Unsafe Plant List