Reptile-Safe Plant Database Search
40+ vivarium plants with toxicity, humidity fit and edibility — searchable by light and species.
Same data as the safety checker, but as a searchable database. Filter by light requirement, humidity, or your reptile species.
Run the calculator
| Plant | Toxicity | Humidity | Light | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) | Mild toxicity if ingested | High | Low-Med | Caution |
| Snake plant (Sansevieria) | Mildly toxic | Low-Mid | Low | Caution |
| Spider plant (Chlorophytum) | Mildly toxic to pets | Mid | Med | Caution |
| Bromeliad | Non-toxic | High | Med | Safe |
| Peperomia | Non-toxic | Mid-High | Med | Safe |
| Pilea (aluminium plant) | Non-toxic | Mid | Med | Safe |
| Calathea | Non-toxic | High | Low-Med | Safe |
| Boston fern | Non-toxic | High | Med | Safe |
| Dwarf umbrella tree | Mildly toxic | Mid | Med | Caution |
| Ficus pumila (creeping fig) | Sap is irritant | Mid-High | Med | Caution |
| Tradescantia | Mildly toxic; sap irritant | Mid | Med | Caution |
| Haworthia | Non-toxic | Low | High | Safe |
| Aloe vera | Mildly toxic (latex) | Low | High | Caution |
| Echeveria | Non-toxic | Low | High | Safe |
| Sedum | Non-toxic | Low | High | Safe |
| Christmas cactus | Non-toxic | Mid | Med | Safe |
| Air plant (Tillandsia) | Non-toxic | Mid | High | Safe |
| Orchid (Phalaenopsis) | Non-toxic | High | Med | Safe |
| Dandelion (edible) | Edible for tortoises | - | High | Edible |
| Hibiscus | Edible flowers | Mid | High | Edible |
| Prickly pear cactus (spineless) | Edible pads and fruit | Low | High | Edible |
| Mulberry leaves | Edible | Mid | High | Edible |
| Lavender | Non-toxic | Low | High | Safe |
| Rosemary | Edible herb | Low | High | Edible |
Data based on published veterinary toxicology and vivarium husbandry references. Not a substitute for a vet's species-specific advice.
Advertisement
Ad space — Google AdSense will populate this slot.
How to use this tool
This tool is designed for a single session at a time. Open it before you feed, set up, or change anything in your reptile's enclosure — not after. The output is a starting point; verify with your own observation of the animal.
Inputs are kept simple on purpose. Where a more detailed input would not change the recommendation, we omit it. Where it would (for example, snake species, UVB type), we surface it as a dropdown.
The result panel updates as you change inputs. There is no submit button — adjust inputs and read the result. We do this because the relationship between inputs and outputs is usually smooth, not step-wise.
Who this tool is for
Planted vivarium keepers and bioactive enthusiasts choosing plants.
Limitations & when not to use
Database covers the most common vivarium plants. Less common species may not be in our database — the tool links to authoritative sources for those.
Outputs are not validated against your specific animal's vet history. If your reptile is sick, gravid, recently imported, or under treatment, ignore the output and consult a reptile-experienced vet.
Numbers are typical ranges based on common husbandry guidance and published data. They are not measurements of your specific setup. Where it matters, the result includes a 'verify with' hint (for example, a Solarmeter reading, a calibrated scale, a vet visit).
Frequently asked questions
Is pothos really safe?
What plants work for arid setups?
Can I use plants from outside?
Advertisement
Ad space — Google AdSense will populate this slot.
About this tool
What this tool is. Searchable counterpart to the safety checker. Same data, optimised for browsing and filtering.
Why we built it. Herpwise collects scattered, often-conflicting reptile husbandry advice and turns it into specific, defensible recommendations. This tool exists because the setup topic it covers is one where generic online advice is most often wrong or vague — keepers deserve a number, not a vibe.
Who built it. Herpwise is a small team of reptile keepers, breeders and software developers. We have kept (and made husbandry mistakes with) ball pythons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, corn snakes, crested geckos, blue-tongue skinks, Russian and Hermann's tortoises, red-eared sliders, and several dart frogs. We are not veterinarians. Where a recommendation crosses into medical territory, we say so.
Limitations we accept. We do not collect data from you. We do not personalise across sessions. We do not replace a vet. We do not promise the perfect answer — we promise a defensible starting point, faster than reading five forum threads.
Privacy policy
Last updated. 2026. Effective immediately.
What we collect. Nothing personal. This tool runs entirely in your browser. We do not have a backend for these calculators — your inputs (species, weight, dimensions, etc.) never leave your device. There is no account, no login, no email capture, no analytics form on this page.
Cookies and local storage. We do not set any cookies for these tools. We do not use localStorage, sessionStorage, IndexedDB, or any other browser-side persistence. Closing the tab erases all input state.
Third-party advertising — Google AdSense. Pages on this site display ads served by Google AdSense. Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on this site. Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on your visit to this site and/or other sites on the Internet. You may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to your website. Users may opt out of the use of the DART cookie by visiting the Google Ad and Content Network privacy policy.
Third-party cookies generally. Some ads may use third-party cookies set by the advertising network. These cookies track your visits across sites to deliver advertising relevant to your interests. You can control cookies at the browser level — most browsers allow you to block or delete cookies, though blocking them may affect site functionality. For details on managing cookies in your specific browser, see your browser's help documentation.
Log data. Our hosting provider may collect standard server log data (IP address, browser type, referrer, pages viewed) for security and abuse prevention. This is not used to identify individuals and is not sold to third parties.
Children's privacy. This site is not directed at children under 13. Reptile keeping involves handling animals that can carry salmonella; adult supervision is required for any minor using this site.
Changes to this policy. We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The 'last updated' date at the top of this section will reflect any changes.
Contact. If you have questions about this privacy policy, you can reach us via the contact link on the homepage.
Disclaimer
Reference only. The information and tools provided on Herpwise are for general informational and educational purposes only. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified reptile-experienced veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your animal's health or husbandry.
No professional relationship. Use of this site does not create a veterinarian-client, breeder-client, or any other professional relationship between you and Herpwise or any contributor. Reliance on any information provided by this site is solely at your own risk.
No warranty. Herpwise makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the outputs of these tools for any particular animal or situation. The outputs reflect typical husbandry guidance and may not be appropriate for your specific animal.
Keepers' responsibility. You are responsible for the welfare of your animals. Decisions about feeding, housing, medical care, and breeding should be made in consultation with appropriate professionals, and should take into account the individual animal's condition, history, and needs.
External links. This site may contain links to external websites for additional context (veterinary associations, breeder directories, manufacturer documentation). We do not endorse and are not responsible for the content of external sites.