Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am currently building an outdoor enclosure for my box turtle. what plants should i avoid putting in the enclosure? which ones are harmful or deadly to box turts? i have access to many different species...day lilies, amarylis, azalea, jap. maples, etc. etc. Also, which ones do boxies like to consume? my main purpose is to make her happy.

I recommend that you check out turtlecafe.com I have used their grass mix form my boxies and they like it.

I can't find my list of dangerous plants and will keep looking. Here is a list of safe plants, though.

Keep in mind that even though the plant may be on this list, you must also be sure that it does not contain any insecticides, pesticides, or fertilizers as well.

Safe and Nutritious Plants:

Alfalfa
Apple
Banana
Barley
Beans
Beets
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cactus
Carrots
Clover
Corn
Dandelion
Grapes
Hibiscus
Kale
Millet
Mustard
Nasturtium
Okra
Parsley
Pea
Pumpkin
Soybean
Spinach
Squash
Strawberries
Sunflower
Timothy
Tomato
Turnip
Wheat
Zucchini

Some plants that I have had success with include:

Parsley
Dandelion
Greens such as: Kale, Mustard Greens, Swiss Chard, Romaine lettuce.

Note: tomato leaves are toxic, even though the tomatoes themselves are not.

Are wild strawberries plants safe to plant in the enclosure?

Thanks

Wild strawberries are quite safe for easterns, and probably okay for other North American box turtles. I had planted a couple of large clumps in my enclosure recently, and the fruit has already been stripped. Good luck!

Someone posted this plant list some time ago, and I use it for my plantings. It's known SAFE plants, and I have used many on the list.

I also use native plants freely. I've never had a box turtle eat something it shouldn't and die or get sick from it. I'd guess that they have a good sense of which native plants they can and cannot eat.
safe plant list