Artificial vs Live Plants

[GlennFrog]

Right now I only have artificial plants and vines in my veiled chameleon's enclosure. I'm looking to put a live plant in with her, but I'm wondering a few things. How beneficial to an enclosure are live plants? What plants are best for an enclosure that receives artificial light almost exclusively? I'm looking into getting some devil's ivy or a hibiscus; can these survive/thrive on artificial light? I've read elsewhere on the boards that hibiscus do poorly without adequate sunlight, which sadly isn't an option for me. Thanks in advance for any help provided on this issue.

 

[kinyonga]

I'm not a fan of artificial plants for chameleons that might decide to eat them. I would rather provide real non-toxic ones that wont kill them if they munch on them.

 

[Carlton]

Right now I only have artificial plants and vines in my veiled chameleon's enclosure. I'm looking to put a live plant in with her, but I'm wondering a few things. How beneficial to an enclosure are live plants? What plants are best for an enclosure that receives artificial light almost exclusively? I'm looking into getting some devil's ivy or a hibiscus; can these survive/thrive on artificial light? I've read elsewhere on the boards that hibiscus do poorly without adequate sunlight, which sadly isn't an option for me. Thanks in advance for any help provided on this issue.

Live plants do a lot to help manage cage humidity (because live plants can absorb and release moisture through transpiration, from the potting soil, and their permeable leaf surfaces). They also help with air quality. Most of us need to house our chams indoors under artificial light for most if not all year and most of us also use live plants successfully. Hawaiian Schefflera, the Ficus species, Pothos will all work. Yes, Hibiscus needs pretty intense light, but it can be done. I used to have a big Hibiscus in an indoor free range under artificial lighting. The newer Arcadia lighting is great for plants, but I've used the classic ReptiSun 5.0 and incandescent halogen floodlights for years and my plants usually did fine.

Personally, I can't imagine using artificial plants only in my cham setups. If I do, its just to provide some cover or surfaces to hold water droplets in a shady corner where live plants won't do well.

 

[GlennFrog]

Thanks for the help, guys. I think I'll probably go with some species of pothos, then, as those seem to be brought up the most often and seem like a pretty rock solid option.

 

[melble68]

Live plants for sure!!!! Pothos and schefflera are slam dunks.