Tortoise-Safe Plants ft. Rhaddy the Tortoise

Many tortoise owners are also super careful when growing houseplants for their pets. There is a risk of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in commercially-grown houseplants. It’s sensible to repot the plant as soon as you get it to change all the soil, and then feed your tortoise the leaves that grow from your non-chemical-ly soil. This precaution can help keep your tort healthy, and means you’ll know exactly what’s going into the plant too.

I’ve split the plants by where they grow, indoors or outdoors, to help you keep both plants and tortoises happy.

Air Plants (Tillandsia)

Air plants contain no known hazards for tortoises, and they also look fantastic! These unusual Bromeliads are fab for an occasional nibble in your tortoise’s indoor enclosure.

Chia (Salvia hispanica)

Chia, a relative of Sage, is best grown indoors in the UK. The young sprouts of this plant will be a tasty snack for your tortoise - just make sure you don’t give them the seeds when they form, as they are too high in protein and phosphorus for your reptilian friend.

Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)

This beautiful hanging houseplant is a good snack for tortoises in moderation. You could grow it hanging over or dangling into your tort’s enclosure, just in reach but high enough that they can’t scoff the lot. The tiny flowers this plant produces are also fine for tortoises, but avoid giving them the tiny berries unless you know your tortoise is a fruit-eating species. And take care when handling - while this is a good tortoise snack, the sap can cause dermatitis in humans.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

A personal favourite of mine, the Spider Plant has no record of toxicity to tortoises so can make a lovely addition to your tortoise’s enclosure. Plus, since these plants propagate easily, you’ll already have someone to share the baby plants with - your tortoise!

Peperomia (Peperomia spp.)

The Peperomia genus has quite a variety of shape, colour and pattern in it, so you can pick out your favourite aesthetic to fill your tortoise’s enclosure. Some striking stripes will look fab decorating your tortoise’s indoor space.

Prayer Plant (Maranta spp., Calathea spp.)

This group, which encompasses the popular Maranta and Calathea genera, are super popular houseplants thanks to their stunning leaf patterns. We’re sure your tortoise will love them too - these humidity-loving houseplants are especially ideal for in or around the enclosures of tortoises from tropical forests like these plants’ habitats.

Friendship Plant (Pilea spp.)

The Friendship Plant and its close relatives are safe tortoise food as part of a varied diet. Their beautiful leaves are also a stunning addition to your tortoise’s indoor habitat. Recommended species you can try include Pilea mollis, Pilea involucrata or Pilea crassifolia.

China Doll Plant (Radermachera sinica)

The China Doll Plant has no evidence of toxicity to tortoises. While it’s unlikely to flower as a houseplant, the gorgeous, glossy leaves will be a nice addition to your tortoise’s diet.

Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus spp.)

You have a huge variety of options if you’re looking for a Lipstick Plant for your tortoise. In the Aeschynanthus genus, these plants’ flowers look like tubes of lipstick and are nice snacks for tortoises when they drop after blooming. If you want one that your tortoise will love munching the leaves on, pick one with softer leaves - the leathery texture of some of these plants’ leaves can be less popular with tortoises.

Bromeliad (Subfamily Bromelioideae)

Relatives of the Air Plants, this plant group offers a wide variety of colours. They can cause allergic reactions in humans, so you should be careful when handling, but there are no such hazards for your tortoise. These striking plants will look great and bring in a bit of colour. Plus, thanks to the well in the centre of their crowns, they will help keep the humidity high, ideal for tortoises from tropical forests.

Painted Nettle (Coleus spp.)

The Painted Nettle, or Coleus, plant can bring in beautiful foliage colour for your tortoise, and a tasty snack for them too! One species, Coleus caninus, is often used to repel cats and dogs in gardens (it can be grown outdoors in summer) - an added benefit to your tortoise if you’re in a neighbourhood of curious cats! Take care not to confuse Coleus plants with the similar-looking Perilla which is toxic.

African Violet (Streptocarpus spp.)

The African Violet, and its relatives in the Streptocarpus genus, is a safe snack for tortoises. Their beautiful flowers, usually in shades of pink and purple, are tasty snacks just like leaves, and these plants will add lush greenery and bright colour for your tortoise’s enclosure.

Bellflower (Campanula spp.) 

These gorgeous purple flowers, also known as Bellflowers, are super tasty for tortoises. You can grow them hanging down from a pot into your tortoise’s enclosure, or have them growing within it, but it’s a good idea to protect the base of the plant, or your tort may just eat the lot, down to the ground! An upside-down hanging basket can work well to add that bit of protection. As long as it isn’t eaten to oblivion, the evergreen Campanula should grow back year-on-year.

Coneflower (Echinacea spp.)

Not to be confused with the toxic Rudbeckia or Sneezeweed, both of which look similar but will not do your tortoise any favours. The Echinacea is good as part of a varied tortoise diet, and the flowers are usually pink, white or purple in colour. At Sprouts, we always make sure to label the species of each plant for just such a useful reason.

Snapdragon (Antirrhinum spp.)

The Snapdragon, from the genus Antirrhinum, is not hazardous to tortoises and is a good addition to their varied diets. Just make sure you don’t mix it up with the similar-looking but toxic Toadflax, which have an extra spur on their flowers and are no good for torts!

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

These beautiful golden blooms are fine for tortoises to eat, but seem to be an acquired taste. They are not always popular snacks with tortoises but safe to keep in the enclosure - and you may get to enjoy the blooms for longer! Just make sure you are using a pot or field Marigold, from the genus Calendula, as French or African Marigolds are not suitable tortoise food.

Mind-Your-Own-Business (Soleirolia soleirolii)

Also called 'Baby's Tears', this plant can be an acquired taste. When Ferne took some home for Rhaddy, though, it got gobbled up very quickly - so it’s safe to say at least one tortoise loves a bit of this bright green, creeping foliage.

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

Hollyhocks are popular, and if you’re not careful your tortoise may just scoff the lot! They especially love the flowers, and this flower is best as part of a wider varied diet.

Evening Primrose (Oenothera spp.)

These delicate flowers only last a couple of days, and usually bloom pale yellow, though some varieties come in pink. Tortoises love the blooms, so make sure to get in quick while the blooms are there, and you’ll get full marks for the tortoise menu on that day.

Thyme (Thymus spp.)

As with humans, a little bit of this herb is perfectly fine to eat! The refined essential oil is not so good for tortoises, so this is one to be eaten in moderation and alongside plenty of other foods. It is a strong flavour, so they might not like to eat loads - making it a good addition for the enclosure for longer-term greenery.

Geranium (Geranium spp.)

This popular garden plant is also loved by tortoises. They will munch on any species of hardy Geranium, especially the colourful flowers. Geraniums are a feast for your tortoise as well as your eyes.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana) 

This fragrant herb is a safe food for tortoises, and although it seems not to taste that great for them, is a good addition to their outdoor space as this should encourage eating in moderation! There is also a myth tied to Marjoram thanks to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed it could be used as an antidote for snake venom. He claimed to have seen tortoises eating it after eating snakes, and deduced that this meant it stopped the snakes’ poison! While this may not be true, it’s a fun story to tell your tort with their Marjoram snack.

False Goat's Beard (Astilbe spp.)

These tall, flowering shrubs are safe for tortoises, and provide a variety of colour for your garden too, mostly in bright pinks and purples. Your tortoise will enjoy munching on the glossy leaves as part of a wider, varied diet.