Live plants are a cornerstone of a high-quality crested gecko enclosure, transforming a simple tank into a thriving, naturalistic ecosystem. They are not just decorative; they serve critical functions that directly benefit the gecko’s health and well-being. Plants help maintain stable humidity levels through transpiration, provide essential hiding spots to reduce stress, and create a complex environment for climbing and exploration that encourages natural behaviors.
When selecting plants, the key is to choose species that are not only non-toxic but also sturdy enough to withstand the weight and activity of an adult crested gecko. Ideal plants often have broad, strong leaves for perching, robust stems for climbing, and a general tolerance for high humidity and the occasional trampling. Popular choices include hard-leaved plants like Snake Plants, durable vines like Pothos, and epiphytes like Bromeliads that can be mounted on branches.
Live plants also contribute to a stable bioactive setup. They help process animal waste by using the nitrogen compounds as fertilizer, and their root systems aerate the substrate, supporting a healthy clean-up crew of isopods and springtails. This symbiotic relationship creates a more self-sustaining habitat, reduces long-term maintenance, and results in a beautiful, living vivarium that is both a functional home for your gecko and a captivating display.
Plants For Crested Gecko
Snake Plant
Also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, this is a top choice for crested gecko tanks. It is incredibly hardy, tolerating a wide range of light and humidity levels. Its sturdy, upright leaves provide excellent cover and climbing surfaces, and they are strong enough to support an adult gecko.
Pothos
Perhaps the most popular vivarium plant, Pothos is virtually indestructible. It grows quickly in low light and high humidity, creating a dense viney mat that provides perfect hiding spots. Its heart-shaped leaves are robust and its trailing vines allow geckos to climb and hide among the foliage.
Dracaena
Several Dracaena species, like the Dragon Tree, work well. They have a tree-like structure that is perfect for climbing and perching. They are tough plants that can handle the humidity of a crested gecko tank and add significant height and structure to the enclosure.
Spider Plant
With its grassy, arching leaves, the Spider Plant is a safe and non-toxic option. It’s very adaptable and produces “pups” or plantlets that can be easily propagated. The leaves provide good cover at various levels, and the plant is known for its air-purifying qualities.
Bromeliads
These plants add a spectacular splash of color and unique shape to the vivarium. They are epiphytes, meaning they can be attached to branches or background walls. Their central “cup” holds water, which can be a minor water source for geckos and helps maintain humidity.
Bird’s Nest Fern
This fern has broad, wavy leaves that create excellent horizontal hiding places. It thrives in the warm, humid, and low-to-medium light conditions of a crested gecko tank. Its leaves are strong and provide a great platform for geckos to rest on.
Prayer Plant
Known for its beautifully patterned leaves that move upward at night, the Prayer Plant is a safe and attractive ground cover. It prefers the high humidity of a gecko tank and will spread to create a lush, tropical floor. It does well in lower light conditions.
Chinese Evergreen
A very hardy and low-light tolerant plant, the Chinese Evergreen has attractive, variegated leaves. It grows slowly and is excellent for adding foliage to the mid-ground of the enclosure. It handles the consistent moisture of a bioactive setup very well.
Peperomia
With many safe varieties like the Watermelon Peperomia, these plants are perfect for smaller spaces and ground cover. They have succulent-like leaves and enjoy high humidity. They are non-toxic and add interesting texture and color to the forest floor.
Ficus Benjamina
The Weeping Fig is a great small tree for larger enclosures. It provides a strong central structure with many branches for climbing. It can be pruned to shape and responds well to the high humidity, making it a sturdy and reliable choice.
Nerve Plant
This plant is famous for its striking, vein-patterned leaves. It thrives in the constant high humidity of a crested gecko tank and makes for a beautiful, low-growing ground cover. It prefers indirect light and will visibly wilt when it needs water, making it easy to care for.
Swiss Cheese Plant
While the large, split-leaf Monstera deliciosa gets too big, the smaller Monstera adansonii is a perfect vine for vivariums. Its unique, hole-filled leaves create a beautiful tropical look as it climbs up the background or branches.
Cast Iron Plant
True to its name, this plant is nearly impossible to kill. It tolerates low light, irregular watering, and humidity fluctuations. Its broad, dark green leaves are very sturdy and provide excellent cover and climbing surfaces for a gecko.
Parlor Palm
A small, slow-growing palm that is perfectly safe for geckos. It adds a classic tropical feel to the enclosure and its fronds provide light, airy cover. It is well-suited to the low-light under-canopy environment of a planted tank.
Air Plants
These unique plants require no soil at all. They can be tucked into cork bark tubes, attached to the background, or placed on branches. They absorb water through their leaves, making misting sessions all they need. They add fantastic texture and interest at all levels.
Philodendron
Similar to Pothos, many Philodendron species are excellent, hardy vines for a vivarium. They grow quickly, provide dense cover, and their heart-shaped leaves are strong enough for geckos to climb on. They are a staple for creating a lush, jungle-like appearance.
Button Fern
A charming and compact fern with small, rounded leaves on delicate-looking (but surprisingly sturdy) stems. It thrives in high humidity and low to medium light, making it a perfect understory plant that won’t outgrow the enclosure quickly.
Strawberry Begonia
Despite its name, this plant is not a true begonia and is perfectly safe. It forms a low clump of fuzzy, rounded leaves with attractive veining and sends out runners with plantlets, creating excellent ground cover and hiding spots for a clean-up crew.
Aluminum Plant
Known for the striking silver patterns on its textured green leaves, this plant adds beautiful contrast. It enjoys warmth and humidity and can be pruned to maintain a bushy shape, providing dense foliage in the mid-ground.
Baby’s Tears
A fantastic, fast-growing ground cover that creates a lush, green carpet on the vivarium floor. It loves humidity and will quickly fill in empty spaces, providing a humid microclimate and a thriving area for isopods and springtails.
Friendship Plant
This plant has beautifully textured, quilted leaves that add unique visual interest. It enjoys the same conditions as a crested gecko tank and will readily spread, making it a great, safe option for filling out the landscape.
Purple Passion Plant
For a splash of color, this plant offers fuzzy, vibrant purple leaves. It is non-toxic and can be trimmed to encourage bushy growth. It does well in the humid, warm environment of a gecko enclosure.
Wandering Dude
Several non-toxic varieties of Tradescantia, like the Green Inch Plant, are excellent. They are vigorous, trailing plants that can cover the background or spill over logs, providing excellent cover. Always confirm the species is safe.
Artillery Fern
Not a true fern, but this plant has delicate, fern-like foliage and is a great, safe choice for vivariums. It is a low-growing plant that spreads willingly, creating a soft, textured ground layer.
Goldfish Plant
With its dark green, glossy leaves and unique orange, fish-shaped flowers, this plant adds a tropical flair. It is an epiphyte, so it can be mounted on wood, and it thrives in high humidity.
Earth Star
A type of Bromeliad-like plant that grows in a low, star-shaped rosette. They come in stunning colors, from pink to silver, and are perfect for adding pockets of color at the base of hardscape features.
Rabbit’s Foot Fern
This fern is known for its fuzzy, creeping rhizomes that resemble a rabbit’s foot. The fine, delicate fronds provide excellent cover without being too dense, and the plant is well-suited to life on a piece of driftwood.
Hawaiian Ti Plant
While it can grow large, the Ti Plant can be pruned and offers stunning, colorful foliage in shades of red, pink, and green. It is safe and adds a bold, architectural element to a larger enclosure.
Grape Ivy
A hardy, trailing vine with glossy leaves that are sometimes shaped like grape leaves. It is an excellent climber that can be trained up backgrounds and branches, providing sturdy perches and hiding spots.
Kangaroo Vine
A tough, fast-growing vine that is ideal for quickly creating a lush, green backdrop. Its leaves are sturdy and it can tolerate a range of conditions, making it a reliable choice for a busy vivarium.
Japanese Ardisia
A low-growing shrub with glossy, dark green leaves. It grows slowly and is perfect for creating a dense, forest-floor look. It produces small white flowers, adding to its charm.
Pellionia
Often called the “Watermelon Vine” due to the patterned leaves of some species, this is a fantastic trailing plant for the foreground. It loves to creep over rocks and logs, creating a beautiful, textured mat.
Flame Violet
A relative of the African Violet, this plant offers beautiful, fuzzy leaves and vibrant flowers. It is safe, enjoys high humidity, and makes for a stunning, colorful accent plant in the mid-ground.
Hoya
Many Hoya species are excellent, slow-growing vines for vivariums. They have thick, waxy leaves that are very sturdy and can be trained to climb. They are safe and can occasionally produce beautiful flower clusters.