Below is a small list of plant species that are generally considered safe, sturdy or hardy enough to use in most New Caledonian gecko terrariums for those keepers wanting to create a more naturalistic or bioactive enclosure for their geckos.
Care must be taken to select plants free of harmful chemicals such as dyes, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers, and soils that contain no harmful substances. Plants, soils and other materials taken from outdoors may contain parasites or other harmful inhabitants.
Do extensive research before adding any plants to your gecko's enclosure, even the ones listed on this page, and use caution if you feed live insects or keep isopods or other invertebrates in the enclosure. Some plants contain substances that are toxic to geckos and if eaten by invertebrates in the enclosure, will make the invertebrates toxic to your gecko.
Wild crested and gargoyle geckos are known to include plant material such as flowers, nectar and sap in their diet. This adds to the risk of poisoning should your gecko attempt to bite or lick a plant in its enclosure.
* While these plants are considered safe for New Caledonian gecko species, many of these plants may be toxic to other animals, such as cats, birds and dogs. Please take care to keep any debris, sap, pollen or clippings from the plants away from other pets and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling terrarium contents.
Care must be taken to select plants free of harmful chemicals such as dyes, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers, and soils that contain no harmful substances. Plants, soils and other materials taken from outdoors may contain parasites or other harmful inhabitants.
Do extensive research before adding any plants to your gecko's enclosure, even the ones listed on this page, and use caution if you feed live insects or keep isopods or other invertebrates in the enclosure. Some plants contain substances that are toxic to geckos and if eaten by invertebrates in the enclosure, will make the invertebrates toxic to your gecko.
Wild crested and gargoyle geckos are known to include plant material such as flowers, nectar and sap in their diet. This adds to the risk of poisoning should your gecko attempt to bite or lick a plant in its enclosure.
* While these plants are considered safe for New Caledonian gecko species, many of these plants may be toxic to other animals, such as cats, birds and dogs. Please take care to keep any debris, sap, pollen or clippings from the plants away from other pets and always wash your hands thoroughly after handling terrarium contents.
Gecko-Safe Plant Species
Bromeliads - avoid varieties with spiked or sharp leaf edges
Tillandsia (air plants) - avoid varieties with especially sharp, stiff, pointed leaves
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens)
Alocasia (elephant ears)
Asplenium (bird’s nest fern)
Calathea zebrine (zebra plant)
Dracaena (dragon plants)
Epipremnum or Scindapsus (pothos)
Pilea cadieri (aluminum plant)
Peperomia (radiator plant)
Sanseveria (snake plant, mother-in-law tongue)
Schefflera arboricola (umbrella plant)
Tradescantia zebrina (inch plant, wandering Jew, spider wart) - Known to cause skin irritation in humans with frequent handling and listed as toxic to cats, dogs and other animals. No known reported issues as a vivarium plant used with geckos, however use this plant with caution.
Tillandsia (air plants) - avoid varieties with especially sharp, stiff, pointed leaves
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreens)
Alocasia (elephant ears)
Asplenium (bird’s nest fern)
Calathea zebrine (zebra plant)
Dracaena (dragon plants)
Epipremnum or Scindapsus (pothos)
Pilea cadieri (aluminum plant)
Peperomia (radiator plant)
Sanseveria (snake plant, mother-in-law tongue)
Schefflera arboricola (umbrella plant)
Tradescantia zebrina (inch plant, wandering Jew, spider wart) - Known to cause skin irritation in humans with frequent handling and listed as toxic to cats, dogs and other animals. No known reported issues as a vivarium plant used with geckos, however use this plant with caution.