Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I posted this question a week or so ago but the forum had been changed and I didnt get to see if anyone responded. Anyway...here we go again. I am building a pond for my 3 Red Eared Sliders and I was wondering what kind of plants are safe in and around the pond. I dont wanna poison the poor guys. Thanks again.

well you say "safe"
there is another issue to consider. and that is that most "safe" plants may become food
while plants add to the decor and certainly the biofilter, you must realize that adult sliders havea diet comprised largely of aquatic plants (in the wild anyway)
you may be able to quell thier tendencies by keeping them well fed though. I use elodea, anacharis, duckweed, water hyacinth and salvinia as turtle food
while many people see these as "pest" plants anyway this may or may not be applealing depending upon how much you are willing to grow and use.
Most rushes and cattails will not be touched and lilies are usually eatern either
on the other hand water lettuce is chomped with gusto as are cryptocornes and wisteria
so i'd suggest either plants LOTS of plants or expecting to lose some
or using only rushes and lilies and cattails
of course sedges and ferns are nice nearby

i can't think of any documented cases of water turtles eating poisonous water plants
its more problem with tortoises and lizards, i think.

Well that answers my question. I am not really worried about looks, more so what they can eat and cant eat. Appreciate the help. Thanks!

What I do for my turtles is have a separate tub to grow hyacinth and water lettuce and other fast growing plants. Then I just harvest them from the growing tub and keep supplying my turtle pond with fresh aquatic munchies. Oh my ducks love em too! (They DO NOT share the turtle pond with the turtles -- they have their own pond and if you think turtles mess up water try ducks!!)