Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just picked these up from Home Depot because they looked nice. Any word on plant names, or useability? My tank will *hopefully* be house a pair of D. Aurutas.

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Here is my tank.

Thanks!

The first one is hedera helix, an ivy I have in my tank actually. Mine is all green but I’m sure it’s the same. It grows extremely fast compared to everything else.

The second one I don’t know.

The third one I don’t know the name of it but I’m looking at the one in my office right now and its about 5 feet tall and growing so I’m thinking it wouldn’t be good for a terrarium. I also assume it likes to stay dryer (although the one here gets over-watered by someone else and its doing ok so my assumption could be wrong.

The fourth one I don’t know about either. I put a fern in my tank I ‘rescued” from Home Depot and its starting to show improvement. Just make sure you wash the leaves and roots off well to get rid of fertilizers and the soil.

#1. Hedera helix (one of the variegated forms that grows large and is robust.)
#2. Dracaena massangeana (Very large) AKA "corn plant."
#3. Dracaena marginata (or similar sp.), Loses lower leaves as it grows-- quite tall. You can use it if you keep clipping it clear back occasionally to control the height.
4. Aglaonema modestum-- Chinese evergreen. Also grows quite large, although this could also be one of the philodendrons, as well. I can't tell for certain.

Generally speaking, all of these plants are nice house plants, but will grow too large for you vivarium. Look for smaller plants and vines, such as the Ficus pumilia varieties, Pellionia, Pilea, Peperomia, which are easier to control and keep small. The club mosses like Selaginella usually do very well and resemble ferns more than moss in their growth. Some of the Calatheas and smaller Marantas will sometimes work if you do a lot of pruning. You should have access to some pretty cool plant nurseries in your area, where you can find some really nice miniature tropical things to try, if they all haven't been put out of business by Wal Mart.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue
D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
D. imitator
D. leucomelas
D. pumilio Bastimentos
D. fantasticus
P. terribilis mint and organe
D. reticulatus
D. castaneoticus
D. azureus
P vittatus
P. lugubris

The closest one is closed right now for refurbishment. I guess i'll just wait it out, thanks again!

Have you checked out the internet options for plants? Black Jungle and Saurian both carry some nice ones, although not a large variety. I've gotten some really nice cuttings and such from various other terrerium and nursery supply houses, all quite inexpensive, which makes up for the extra cost of shipping them overnight. I can't remember them all off hand, but will do a search and send a PM to you regarding which ones I've found reliable.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

D. auratus blue
D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
D. imitator
D. leucomelas
D. pumilio Bastimentos
D. fantasticus
P. terribilis mint and organe
D. reticulatus
D. castaneoticus
D. azureus
P vittatus
P. lugubris