Terrariums for your reptiles and other small pets may be made of either plastic or glass. Plastic terrariums have several advantages, such as being more shatter resistant than glass. Planting your terrarium can be fun, but keep in mind that some plants will grow better in the warm, enclosed conditions than others, and several other considerations apply as well.
Here are some tips for choosing plants to grow in your plastic terrarium.
Choose Miniature Plants
While some plastic terrariums can be several feet long, the interior of the terrarium is still going to have limited space. You'll want to leave some space in the terrarium for the plants to grow, as well as some unplanted area for your terrarium pet to sunbathe, eat and drink, or do other activities.
Because of the limited space factor, you could run into trouble if you just plant small specimens of plants that will eventually grow very large. You could end up spending a lot of time cutting those plants back to make them fit. Instead, look for plants that only grow to a few inches tall, so they won't crowd your lizard or turtle out of their home.
Consider Tropical Varieties
If your terrarium will have a heat lamp (such as for a lizard or turtle), its interior will probably become quite warm and stay that way. This may not be very conducive to health in plants that are used to more temperate climates, and these plants may start to suffer from fungal issues in the enclosed environment of the plastic terrarium.
Instead, look for plants that enjoy the heat and high humidity levels that may be present. Tropical plants are often a good choice, as their native environment includes heat and humidity year-round.
Look for Interesting Foliage
Sometimes, your reptile friend may not feel like coming out to play. Choosing plants with plenty of visual interest, such as those with interestingly shaped leaves or bright colors, will ensure that your plastic terrarium is still a decorative feature in the room even when your pets aren't showing themselves.
Avoid Toxic Species
This may seem like a no-brainer, but some plants may be harmful or even severely toxic to pets if consumed. These may even include plants that seem to fit the other criteria, so be very careful when choosing plants. Some people grow terrariums without pets and may choose potentially toxic plants for their looks, but if you have pets, you need to stay far away from these.
Be sure to use a reputable website or another trustworthy source to check which plants are safe for your reptile friends before you buy anything.
These tips will help you to choose the best plants for your plastic terrarium that will thrive in harmony with reptiles or other terrarium pets.
Share24 November 2020
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