Reptile Plants & Vivarium Plants

Reptile plants for vivariums come in two categories. You have artificial and real plants. As the pet owner you must decide which option you will prefer. We will discuss the pros and cons of having both to better help you.

ARTIFICIAL PLANTS:
Artificial plants are often made of plastic or silk to appear like real plants. There are fake mosses, aquatic plants, cactus, trailing plants, upright plants, hanging plants, and ground plants. There are also trees, vines, and branches that can be purchased in the plant category. Since artificial plants are not real they will last a lot longer. You do not have to worry about buying new plants for your reptile unless they begin to degrade due to sun exposure or your reptile attacking them. Artificial plants can also be better for a hygiene special environment. Not only will they not leave behind any particulates, but they are easier to clean.

The downside to artificial plants is that they can look a little fake. They do enhance the terrarium, but on the other hand if you love plants they can seem unreal and not as fun. Still, you have a great many choices in types of plant species like ferns or cactus.

PLANTS:
With real plants you have an unlimited number of species you can introduce into the cage. The downside is that some real plants can be harmful to your pet, so you need to know what those would be. It is of course better to choose plants they see in their natural environment. The real plants will degrade over time. The leaves, bark, and roots usually need to be replaced after a while. You could never introduce a plant that will eventually grow or take root because you have to change out the substrate every so often for hygiene purposes.

It can be more expensive to have real plants. You may also be cleaning the terrarium more often. Still, you have the choice of using real plants to add much more to the terrarium. Your snake will most likely be happier with the real plants because of the smell, feel, and comfort they can provide.

The type of pet reptile you have will in part determine which reptile plants you choose. For example you may wish to purchase a larger plant that will hang from the top of the terrarium if you have a climbing reptile. They will be able to wrap around it. Desert reptiles are more used to cactus and upright plants found in the desert.

An upright plant simply means it has a base on the bottom that will help it stand up in the substrate. It will be hard to move or knock over. It will also remain where you put it, whether it is in an aquarium or terrarium for your reptile.

Trailing plants are great as hides and for seeking depth in the terrarium. If you want the cage to look deeper than it is the trailing plants help break up the background and the inside of the cage.
You will find lots of other useful information on this reptile substrate site so please spend some time having a good look around.