Succulents and animals – do they eat them?

If you’re lucky enough like me, and live in some pristine location surrounded by nature, you may wonder what animals do actually eat succulents, and whether you need to safeguard your precious plants. We will look at the topic right now, understanding whether rats, deer, squirrels, and other animals actually eat succulent plants. Let’s dive into this.

Rats and succulents

Succulents in your garden are struggling, perhaps even dying as a result of root rot. Yet you think rats are eating your lovely aloes, jades, snake plants, and desert roses. Either the leaves or the roots. Is it really truth though? Do rats eat succulents, and why? And if they do so, can we prevent them from eating the plants?

Before we dive into some important details, let me give you a quick answer: Rats do eat succulents, but only if they have no better food options available. Rats are renowned for their ability to survive almost anything, including nuclear war. When animals and people were dying in wars and extreme weather conditions, rats often flooded the streets. When others suffered, they seemed to go on with their life “as if nothing was happening”. We can attribute their ability to several reasons, and one of them is that they aren’t picky with food. If there’s no meat or corn or fruits to eat, they will devour almost anything, including succulent leaves and roots.

In normal conditions rats won’t eat your succulents

In a balanced ecosystem, where rats find both enough food and natural predators, they won’t touch your succulents. Rats love fresh fruits, corns, small mammals, lizards, fish, just to name a few. Plants–whether their leaves, flowers, or roots, just do not make the list of rats’ favorite dishes. That’s why you just won’t find a snake plant or aloe in a wild nature with bites from rats. The problem is though that we treat nature badly, and ecosystems do not work as they should anymore.

In many areas rats either overpopulate (lacking natural predators), or they cannot find their favorite foods (due to loss in bio-diversity and struggles and plagues many animals species and plants experience). In such conditions rats turn into survival mode and will eat just about anything, including furniture, window frames, all kinds of food stores you have at home, and, of course, the plants in your garden, including succulents. What I try to say here is that rats alone do not form the core of the problem. Rats eating succulents is a consequence of much bigger environmental problems we face on the planet.

Remedies against rats eating succulents

Anyone who had rats in their garden will tell you how hard it is to completely get rid of them. That’s because they reproduce quickly, and they are smarter than we think. A trap or remedy that works at first will stop working in a few weeks. Anyway, as with many other problems, this is more about managing it than eliminating it. Your goal is to minimize the impact on your succulents, or the number of rats in your garden in general. We know some remedies for that:

• Make sure to remove all possible hiding & nestling spaces. Rats love old piles of food, neglected compost grounds, piles of hay you haven’t touched for months or years, holes under the roof, or even thick grass and bushes. Once you take a batter care of your garden and eliminate such spots, rats will leave your succulents and seek their home elsewhere (perhaps in a garden of your neighbor :)).
• Get cats or other rat predators. Some dogs are pretty effective with rats too, but cats or foxes do the best job. In my experience having a couple of cats in a garden won’t eliminate rats completely, but it will help with their management a lot. What’s more, rats are smart animals , and as soon as they sense the presence of such predators, they will move to some other place (again it can be the garden of your neighbor :)).
• Make sure they can’t find their favorite foods at your place. Rats will sometimes eat succulents, but they won’t even stay in your yard unless they can find foods they really like, such as grains, seeds, fruits, small mammals, etc. Make sure that they do not have access to your barn, that you do not leave fruits in places where they can easily reach them, that you do not feed birds with seeds that happen to fall to the ground, or rats can reach them, and so on. As soon as the rodents realize they won’t heave a feast at your place, they will depart, seeking a better place (perhaps your neighbor is more generous :)).
• Use poison or traps as a last resort. If nothing works, and rats keep eating your succulents and other plants, you can opt for getting chemical poison or traps in a gardening store. Keep in mind though that other animals may fall for a trap as well, and in this way you may reduce the bio-diversity in your garden even further, which isn’t good for the overall health of your plants.

Final thoughts

Rats do not prefer succulents, but when they overpopulate or struggle to find a better food, they may take a bite, or even eat the entire plant (or the roots of it, and the succulent will die as a result). Once you have rats in your garden, it isn’t easy to get rid of them completely. As you know now though, you have some remedies, and with patience and a plan, you can at least minimize the impact rodents have on your succulents.

Succulents and squirrels – Do they eat them?

Show me one person who doesn’t like to spot a squirrel on a tree while walking in the forest. These small neat animals are incredibly agile, jumping from tree to tree as if they were playing a game. And maybe they are playing one, because what do we know about animals and their true intentions after all? Squirrels in forest are great, but most people won’t enjoy seeing them in their gardens. These little beasts aren’t picky when it comes to food selection. Sure enough, nuts are their favorite food, but they will eat just about anything, including fruits, veggies, flowers, trees, plants and snacks we forget on the verandah. But what about succulents? Will squirrels savor your favorite plants?

A quick answer to the question in YES. Squirrels eat succulents, and in certain cases they may easily eat your entire succulent garden. As it is almost always the case though, things aren’t that straightforward with animals and succulents. Some people have squirrels in their gardens but they do not touch their succulents. How it is possible? And what can you do to prevent squirrels from devouring your succulent garden for dinner? We will try to find the answers on the following lines.

Squirrels eat succulents, but they prefer other food

If you place a bowl of nuts, a ripe apple, and a pot with a succulent (such as jade plant, snake plant, ponytail palm, aloe) in front of a squirrel, it won’t take any interest in the succulent whatsoever. It will feed on the nuts, and, if still hungry, may take a bite from the apple. What I try to say here is that well-fed squirrels don’t have the slightest reason to bite holes to your succulents. And in ideal case it would be so.

But we do not live in an ideal world. Climate change, and the way in which we treat nature, puts a dent to the balance of our ecosystems. Many plant species die, the nuts suffer from all sorts of plagues and almost do not grow in wild nature, and many animals lose their natural predators. What happens is that they overpopulate a certain area. Suddenly they lack their favorite food, and have to opt for risky endeavors, such as jumping into your garden and eating whatever is available. If they find nothing better, or if they come in bulk, they will eat your succulents.

Unless you bring your pots indoors, you cannot prevent squirrels from reaching your succulents

Do not waste your time trying to place your succulents on some high spot, or hanging them from a tree. Squirrels are excellent jumpers and climbers, and it is almost impossible to find a spot that they cannot reach. What’s more, they enjoy jumping and exploring the area, and a seemingly inaccessible placement of a succulent pot may attract them even more to it.

If you want to make sure they won’t eat your succulents, try to provide them better food. You can try fruits that you picked or bought but did not manage to eat, you can also try planting various trees around–that is, if you still want squirrels around your house, but do not want them to eat your succulents. In case you want to get rid of them, check the following remedies.

How to get rid of squirrels making sure they won’t eat your succulents

Before we look at some great remedies against squirrels, I want to point something out: Just as almost nothing will stop a desperate man, it is very hard to get rid of a desperate animal. If you live in an area heavily overpopulated with squirrels, and at the same time it lacks nut trees and pines and other stuff squirrels like, and hence they are always hungry, no remedy will really work 100%, or even 50%. When animals are hungry they will take risks they would not normally take. Keep this on your mind before you deem any remedy ineffective. Let’s move to particular remedies.

• Get a dog, especially one that enjoys chasing squirrels. Almost any terrier or hunting dog will do, but many hybrid dogs will also chase squirrels. I guarantee you that squirrels will keep distance from the succulents, especially if your dog can reach them as well. Of course if the pots hang up high–squirrels can reach them but dogs can’t, this remedy isn’t going to work.
• Place plastic owls and hawks around the garden. In my opinion this solution works only in short term, unless you move the plastic imitations once in a while, and keep squirrels doubting whether they aren’t real. Hawks, eagles and owls in particular pray on squirrels. The little animals prefer to keep safe distance. Hence a plastic imitation of an owl (or more of them) will often do the trick.
• Install motion activated water-sprinklers. Squirrels do not like to get their fur wet. And they also do not like sudden surprises :). That’s why motion activated sprinklers tend to work well with them. This remedy has a flip side though. First of all the high initial costs, and secondly it may scare away also other animals from your garden, animals you’d like to stay there.
• Plant flowers that squirrels hate. Squirrels don’t like the taste of snowdrops, allium or hyacinth (and other plants, you can Google for the full list). If you plant them around your succulents, they may discourage squirrels from getting close to your beloved plants. You can also spray a taste repellent on the leaves of your succulents, which in combination with right flowers around the pots makes for a powerful combination against squirrels.

Final thoughts

Squirrels do not prefer succulents, but when they lack other food or overpopulate in your area they eat them, and in some cases they may destroy your entire succulent garden. As you can see now, you can apply a variety of remedies, such as getting a dog, using taste repellents, installing motion-activated water sprinklers, and so on. Keep in mind though that if the squirrels are heavily overpopulated in the zone, and desperate for any food, they will take risks, and no remedy will prevent them from touching your succulents.

Leopard Geckos and succulents

Let me start with facts: Healthy leopard geckos do not eat plants, including succulents. They may rarely take a bite of a plant only in two occasions: When they experience stomach discomfort–than they may instinctively take a bite of a plant, trying to fight parasites. But geckos rarely experience such discomfort. Second, when they are extremely hungry, and you have not fed them for more than 10 days. A healthy adult Leopard Gecko can survive without food for two weeks, but when hungry they may bite on things they would normally not even consider trying.

Having said that, you may get an impression that virtually all succulents are safe for your gecko, and you can place any in the tank. This isn’t completely true though. First of all, many succulents require strong light to thrive, something leopard geckos do not like (though can sustain). And secondly, while geckos do not eat plants they definitely explore them and climb over them. Hence it is a good idea avoiding succulents with spikes (maybe you didn’t know it, but each cactus is technically a succulent!) or plants that can easily irritate the skin of your animal.

Everything considered, I put together a list of 10 succulents that are not only safe for leopard geckos, but actually a good fit for living in one terrarium with your pets. If you find any of the plants on the list interesting, you can just google its name or look for it on Amazon or any other popular online store with plants to buy it. Let’s move to the list.

Snake Plant as a perfect plant for leopard geckos + 2 other great choices

Snake plant is a common favorite of succulent growers. It is beautiful, easy to grow, rarely faces any problems. It doesn’t have any spikes, and does not irritate the skin on touch. What’s more, it is a low light succulent, so you do not have to change anything in the tank of your gecko to make sure the snake plant will do well, and not merely survive.  Another plus is the shape of the plant–geckos may climb over the leaves, they may even hind under them if they feel like doing so. All in all, it s a great succulent for your terrarium.

Echeveria is another succulent on the list. Everybody knows this plant, it is characteristic by a shape resembling a rose flower, a green rose flower :). Echeverias do not grow too big and are a good fit for smaller tanks. They are completely safe for any reptiles, and in my opinion they make for a good color fit for leopard geckos. I saw this combination a few times, and I believe this plant and lizard go well together.

Zebra plant is the third one on my list. It shape and colors just shine out in every terrarium. In contrast to Aloe Vera (which looks similar), zebra plant does not include any toxic substances and is perfectly safe for leopard geckos or any other pets. It can thrive in low light and do not mind slightly humid conditions as one finds in many tanks with lizards, which makes from it a perfect choice for every pet and succulent lower.

7 other succulents perfectly safe for Leopard Geckos

Without dwelling too much on details, I will now list seven other succulents that can do no harm to leopard geckos. They can all survive in a terrarium, though not all of them will necessarily thrive, which was the case with the three succulents (echeveria, snake plant, zebra plant) we had a closer look on before. Google their names and check how they look like, and decide accordingly which one you want to have with your gecko.

• Schlumberga, or “Christmas Cactus” – Can even flower in a terrarium during winter.
• Lithops, or “Living Stones” – A perfect fit (design wise) to almost any terrarium. They prefer more light though.
• Sempervivum, or “Hens and Chicks” – Easy to grow and non-toxic to pets or humans, you can even find this succulent on rocky spots near to your home.
• Sedum Morganium, or “Burro’s Tail” – One of the top 5 most commonly bought succulents in the world, and perfectly safe for pets.
• Rhipsalis spp, or “Mistletoe cactus” – Great choice for interesting design combinations, and something I haven’t seen in a terrarium yet.
• Hoyas – Defined as “semi-succulents”, all varieties of hoyas are completely safe for pets, and thrive in low light.
• Ponytail palm – Ideal for big tanks and outdoors spaces with geckos. They prefer sun but will tolerate low light.

Final thoughts

It is a shame having an empty terrarium. Plants and lizards have always lived together, and your leopard gecko will be happier in a terrarium with living plants than in an empty one. Succulents are a great choice, since they do not mind living in a tank, and many of them actually thrive in neglect. As a rule of a thumb your gecko won’t eat succulents, and you have no reason to worry about potential consequences. If you want to be 100% sure though, pick one of the ten succulents I outlined in this post, since they are all perfectly safe for geckos and other pets.

Birds and succulents: Do they eat them, and are they safe for them?

If you have bird pets at home, you may wonder whether it is safe to keep them close to your succulents. And we do not speak about pets only–sure enough the last thing you want to achieve with your succulent growing is poisoning some random bird who eats a fruit or flower or leaf of one of your succulent plants. So, what is true and what is a myth? Let me start with facts:

Most succulents are not poisonous to birds. But there are some succulent varieties that could possibly harm bird pets. As a pet and succulent lover, you need to make sure that you keep everything & everybody safe. Let me share with you a list of plants that are poisonous to bird pets. But before you scare out (having one of those plants in your home, close to the bird cage), remember that animals are more intelligent than we think. They won’t eat things that aren’t good for them, unless they are really hungry or experience some other issues. Anyway, let’s proceed to the list.

Succulents and other plants potentially poisonous to birds

1. Amaryllis – The plant itself and its bulb are toxic to birds. Ingesting the flowers and its bulb can result in vomiting and diarrhea.
2. Daffodil – It is very popular and also called a “cheery flower”. The flowers of Daffodil containing a chemical called lycorine which is very toxic and worse, it can be deadly depending on the amount ingested by a bird or other animal. It can cause seizures in birds and can cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
3. Holly – This plant is a great addition for holiday decorations but its leaves and berries are poisonous to birds. They might have mistaken it as an edible berry due to its deceiving look. Plants that have been living in a wild country for generations won’t make such a mistake, but caged pets may lack some of the instincts they would normally have in the wild…
4. Ivy-Green – This plant is also known as English Ivy. One of the popular decorative plants but can be deadly to any birds. It can cause skin irritation, convulsions, and gastrointestinal issues.
5. Mistletoe – Mistletoe is another poisonous plant to birds (and not only to them). All of its parts can cause issues, including diarrhea, vomiting, irregular heart rate, and irregular breathing. Birds may collapse if they ingested it.
6. Morning Glory -This beautiful flower can be a threat to your bird’s health. You should be careful if you acquire morning glory seeds for planting because it contains a dangerous chemical similar to LSD. Sure, the “glory” in its name can be interpreted in many ways, and maybe you may have some fun with this plant. But make sure to not involve birds in such experiments.
7. Philodendron – This common houseplant can add to the aesthetic value of your home. Unfortunately, it is not safe for birds. All of its parts can cause severe irritation to a bird’s mouth, vomiting, and difficulty in swallowing.
8. Poinsettia – These beautiful flowers are usually the centerpiece when holidays are just around the corner. However, the poinsettia is very poisonous to birds. It can cause gastrointestinal issues, skin irritation, and other serious health issues for birds, cats, tortoises, and any other pets you keep at home.
9. Shamrock – You might be thinking that this plant may bring luck to your home. Sure it can, but for your birds it can be the last thing they ever ear. These plants are very toxic to birds as well as to dogs, cats, and other animals. It can cause excessive salivation, tremors, and other serious health issues, which may (especially in older or weakened animals) result even in death.

Succulents and other plants completely safe for birds

Luckily as with everything else in life, when there is something harmful, there is also something helpful, or at least neutral. On the following list you will see some succulents and other plants you can have indoor without bringing a threat to your birds. These plants are completely safe for birds.

1. Spider Plant – It is both easy to grow and safe for birds. A spider plant in a hanging basket that can be the perfect decoration indoors.
2. Impatiens – If you’re into colorful plants, then you’re in luck. Impatiens are colorful and they are completely safe plants for birds.
3. Boston Fern – These lush, hardy plants can offer a natural touch as home decor. There’s no need to worry if you have birds in your home, since ingesting Boston fern won’t cause them any harm.
4. Aloe Vera – Aloe is safe and non-toxic and it also has medicinal qualities that can help both sick birds and people. It’s low maintenance and there’s no wonder that it has been a popular houseplant for many years, and will be as long as humankind exists.
5. African Violet – These flowers are completely safe plants for parrots and other pet birds. It is known to flower several times a year. Add one of these little jewels to your home for an additional pop of color.
6. Hen and Chicks – Hen and Chicks is a bird-safe succulent plant that thrives in direct sunlight. Make sure you have a sunny window for it because this unique little succulent always craves sunlight.
7. Orchids – These plants are known for their beautiful blossoms. They are an excellent choice for bird owners who want to keep plants indoors. Orchids are safe for birds.

Most plants that can be found in our home will not harm our pets as long as not ingested. But of course, there are still a few succulents that can be harmful to our dogs, cats, birds, and any kind of pet that we have at home.

If you suspect that your pet has eaten one of these poisonous plants, call your veterinarian immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, because they know what to do with your pets. Our website (and similar websites) are for information-purposes only.

Final thoughts

Having indoor succulent plants is a good thing because it adds some life, color, and joy to your home. However, we must be careful due to the fact that not all succulent plants (or plants in general) are safe for birds. Do some research before you buy new plants, and always make sure that they are safe for your pets, children, and eventually also for yourself…

Bearded dragons and succulents

If you have reptile pets and home and a succulent garden–which is a wonderful combination indeed, you might also wonder whether or not those tiny plants are safe for your pets. In this article, I will share with you list of succulents that are safe to eat for your reptile pets.

One example of the pets that are getting more and more popular, especially in certain areas of the world is the bearded dragon. This calm and smooth reptile that has beard-like structures around the head, hence the name.

You should realize that bearded dragons enjoy tasting plants around them. If you have succulent plants in the house, and the dragon can reach them–which is easily the case with its versatility, the chances are high it will mistaken them for lunch :). But are your succulents safe for these reptiles? And if not all, what succulents in particular can they eat? The actual list could be longer, but I chose only a few that are common, and I am 100% sure they are safe for reptiles. Ah, and one special tip before we look at the list: If you’d like to give your bearded dragon a real treat, check this organic non GMO dried bearded dragon food on Amazon. Once you have it, I can guarantee you that your favorite reptile won’t mess up with your succulents :).

Succulents that are safe to eat for Bearded Dragons

• Aeonium
• Schlumbergera
• Haworthia
• Echeveria
• X Pachyveria
• Lithops
• Sempervivum “Hens and Chicks”
• Sedum morganianum “Burro’s Tail”

There you go, you have my list of succulents that bearded dragons can eat. But this does not mean that your reptile pets should only rely on these plants. Although they are non-toxic and safe, they are not good for regular food sources. If you want your bearded dragon to stay healthy and live long, you should give them a more balanced diet, such as this one (* this is an affiliate link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase).

Deer and succulents – Do they enjoy eating them?

If you are living in a rural area, wildlife may be a challenge to deal with. Deer, these lovely animals, have good appetite. They devour virtually any plants they come across. But do they enjoy eating succulents as well? Let me clarify this:

In most cases, deer would pass on succulents. It makes most succulent growers think that succulents are deer resistant. However, hungry deer would eat anything, though a succulent plant would likely be his last choice :). Remember that just like humans, animals would eat something they don’t normally eat once they are super hungry. This means that, although succulents are not their favorite plant, they would consider it if no other food is available around–for example in a winter season, or after a fire in the area, etc.

Deer may represent a challenge for your plants

These animals are resilient to food crisis and capable of surviving by improvising. If you are living nearby a wildlife park, or simply close to a forest or any areas where deer roam, this is a considerable challenge for you and your succulent plants. Does this mean that you should not leave your tiny plants outside? Well, I do not think so. In fact, I created this simple post to give you tips on how you can grow succulents outdoor regardless of the threat deer, or other wildlife animals present.

Before proceeding to the guide though, I would like to mention that there are some types of succulents that are more deer-resistant. Those succulents have natural defense systems against foreign intruders like deer. Examples of those succulents are Hens and Chicks, agave, Sempervivum, and Aloe.  Aside from choosing deer-resistant succulents, you can do many other things to make sure your plants are safe outside. We will look at them right now.

Blend the succulents with companion plants

As I already mentioned, choosing the deer-resistant succulents might not work all the time. Hungry deer may not pass on them. Fortunately, we can strengthen the defense system of our plants. One of the best ways to do so is companion planting.

Companion planting involves other plant varieties around the plants that you want to protect at all costs. In this case, succulents. Surround your succulents with plants that are truly deer-resistant. Deer-resistant plants will serve as the main defense system to deceive the deer. Plant those varieties close to cover your beloved succulent plants. I know about a handful of deer-resistant plant varieties, so let me give you a few examples.

Maximilian sunflower is deer resistant

The Maximillian sunflower is one of the best companion plants for succulents. It is a perennial and like succulents, it does not need too much water. And because it loves full sun, it thrives in the same conditions as most outdoors succulents do.

Aside from protection from hungry deer, this type of sunflower can also serve as shade to the succulents. As you may already, know, succulents need partial shade, or at least in ideal conditions. This perticular sunflower grows from 4 to 10 feet tall. Because it grows tall, you can spread it in the garden 3 to 4 feet apart. Last but not least, this yellow beauty is tolerant of extreme environmental conditions such as cold.

Lavender is another flower deer may taste but won’t eat

Lavender plants have natural oils will that help scare the hungry deer. These plants are harsh for animal intruders but bring aesthetic features to the human eyes. They also possess irresistible beauty and amazing smells. What I love about lavender plants is that they are drought-tolerant. This means that you water them together with your succulents–not too frequently, and they will do just well!

Lavender plants can grow up to 12 to 48 inches tall. They grow well outdoors, especially when you expose them to direct sun. They can provide shade to the succulents as well. Like succulents, they don’t  like to be over-watered, which is something you should keep on your mind when planting them in your succulent garden.

Rosemary plants and Russian Sage don’t taste well to the deer

The third plant I would recommend is rosemary. You are no doubt familiar with this plant. This is not just an ornamental plant but also a great condiment for your chicken recipe. But the aroma it produces is what makes the deer deters from it–and from your succulent garden, should you grow the two together.

Russian sage is another great companion plant for succulents. It is not only drought tolerant but also thrives in cold weather. On the top of all benefits, it offers a natural protection to your succulents’ garden. However, this plant can be dangerous to humans, since it has natural substances that can irritate the skin. The same substance makes this plant deer-resistant though. So just stay careful when you are around and you should be fine!

Hyssop–the last on on the list

Hyssop belongs to the mint family. For decades, people use this plant to treat many diseases including but not limited to respiratory sickness and earaches. It is also a quick treatment for cuts, rheumatism, and bruises.

Not only humans love this plant but also birds. However, this is also one of the worst enemies of rabbits and deer. Include it in your succulent garden, and you can be sure wild animals will stay away from it. My favorite one is the hummingbird mint. It blooms longer than other plants. This means that you have a stronger defense system against deer and other wandering animals.

The list of plants you can use to protect succulents is longer, of course, but I tried to give you some basic ideas. Look around you and see what else is growing well. Pick those plants and incorporate them into your succulent garden. The very important function of companion plants is to divert the attention of deer from eating your more precious plants, such as your beloved succulents.

Building a fence around your garden is another option of protecting them from deer

You need a lot of muscle, time, and possibly money to build a fence. But this is the most secure defense mechanism against wandering animals. The drawback however with fences is that they could block the sunlight, especially in the early morning when the temperature is perfect for succulents.

When building the fence, make sure you do not build it too high. Just make it high enough to block the deer and other intruding animals but not most of the morning sunlight. Cyclone wire can also be a great option to use on the fence instead of lumber or concrete. Cyclone wire gives the garden good aeration, for both the succulents and us, people who enjoy staying there… I am trying to say here is that, when building a fence, there is no single way to do it. Creativity is the only limit.

Deer repellent is also an alternative

Deer repellents are another great strategy to strengthen the defense in your garden. There are many brands of deer repellents you can choose from in the market. Or if you want, you can try the one that I am using for my succulent garden. Click here to check my recommended deer repellent on Amazon.

Using deer repellents is a good option especially if the succulents are young. At this stage, the plants have no defense system. So giving them something that could protect them is always a great decision. What’s more, if deer love to eat something, it is young plants. Keep it on your mind and protect your valuable garden.

Tortoises and succulents – Do they enjoy them, or not?

You may be surprised that in some countries tortoises are more popular than dogs. If you live in such a country, you might wonder whether succulents are edible or safe for your beloved companions.

Obviously, not all succulents or plants are edible for pets. And though pets have their instinct, and more often than not they will avoid eating plants that can cause them harm, it is always better to be safe than sorry. It doesn’t mean that you should avoid all succulents if you have a tortoise though. Some of these plants are actually good for your animals (you can even buy this super natural tortoise food with no preservatives or colorants on Amazon), or at least they pose no risk whatsoever. Okay, now you know the basics, let’s have a look at the list!

List of succulents tortoises can eat

Below is the list of succulents safe for tortoises. However, to keep it one hundred percent edible for shield pets, you should not apply any chemical such as insecticides, fertilizers, and herbicides on your plants. I decided to list the succulents with scientific (Latin) name so you can identify them correctly on Wikipedia or anywhere else.

• Agave or Agave sp.
• Aloe or Aloe sp.
• Begonias or Begonia sp.
• Desert Rose or Adenium obesum
• Hen and Chicks or Echeveria sp.
• Houseleeks or Sempervivum sp.
• Ice plants or Mesembryanthemaceae family
• Kalanchoe sp. or Kalanchoe sp.
• Link & Otto or Tradescantia crassula
• Live Forever or Sedum purpureum
• Moss Roses, Purselane or Portulaca sp.
• Prickly Pear Cactus or Opuntia sp.
• Slime Lilies or Albuca sp.
• Spiderwort or Tradescantia pinetorum & occidentalis
• Sticky Monkey Flower or Mimulus aurantiacus
• Stonecrops or Sedum sp.
• Tree houseleek or Aeonium sp.

Poisonous plants for Tortoises

Not every plant is good for your beloved tortoise though. On the list below you will find plants that you can still have in your garden, but you have to make sure tortoises cannot reach them. Placing them high above the ground (such as hanging from the roof, for example) is your safest bet. Or you can avoid them altogether, and rather opt for plants that are safe for tortoises. So here is the list:

• Arrowhead Vine or Syngonium podophyllum
• Azelea or Rhododendron occidentale
• Begonia
• Bird of Paradise or Strelitzia reginae
• Boston Ivy or Parthenocissus tricuspidata
• Boxwood or Buxus sempervirens
• Buttercup family or Ranunculus spps
• Caladium
• Calia Lilly or Zantedeschia spps
• Candytuft or Iberis
• Castor bean or Ricinus communis
• Chinese evergreen or Aglaonema modestum
• Chinaberry or Melia azedarach
• Creeping Charlie or Glechoma hederacea
• Crowfoot or Ranunculus sceleratus
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil or Narcissus
• Dianthus
• Dumb Cane or Dieffenbachia amoena
• Elephants ear or Caladium
• Euphorbia
• Ficus benjamina
• Fiddleleaf fig or Ficus lyrata
• Foxglove or Digitalis purpurea
• Gardenia
• Grape ivy or Cissus rhombifolia
• Heart Ivy or Hedera helix
• Heavenly bamboo or Nandina domestica
• Holly or Ilex
• Hyacinth or Hyacinthus orientalis
• Ivy or Hedera helix
• Jerusalem cherry or Solanum pseudocapsicum
• Juniper or Juniperus species
• Lantana or Lantana camara
• Lilly of the Nile or Agapanthus africanus
• Lilly of the Valley or Convallaria spps
• Lobelia
• Majesty or Philodendron hastatum
• Marigold or Tagetes spps
• Mistletoe or Phorodendron flavenscens
• Morning Glory or Ipomoea spps
• Mother-in-law plant or Caladium
• Mother-in-law tounge or Sansevieria trifasciata
• Mushrooms
• Needlepoint Ivy or Hedera helix
• Nephthytis or Syngonium podophyllium
• Nightshade or Solanum nigrum
• Oleander or Nerium oleander
• Parlor Ivy or Philodendron cordatum
• Periwinkle or Vinca spps
• Philodendron
• Poinsettia or Euphorbia pulcherrima
• Pothos or Epipremnum aureum
• Pyracanthra
• Rhododendron or Ericaceace
• Rosary Bean or Abrus precatarius
• Rubber tree or Ficus elastica decora
• Schefflera
• Shasta Daisy or Chrysanthemum maximum
• Spider mum or Chrysanthemum morifolium
• Split leaf Philodendron or Monstera delicosa
• String of Pearls or Senecio rowleyanus or S. herreinus
• Sweet pea or Lathyrus odoratus
• Umbrella tree or Schefflera actinophylla

The list is quite long as you can see. At the same time, however, there are many plants that are completely safe for your tortoises, so you won’t end up with an empty garden :). I suggest you to bookmark this list and return to it anytime you need advice on whether the plant you are buying is safe for your tortoises or not.

Can you feed your Russian Tortoise with succulents?

Many of my readers had asked me this question. Well, first of all, I don’t have Russian Tortoises. But my neighbor has. And I actually talked to her before writing this post to make sure that I get the right information.

It is important to note though that my neighbor is not an expert on a tortoise. But being someone who raised tortoises for a decade, I think that the information that I am about to share is reliable. So, can you feed your Russian Tortoise with succulents? The short answer is YES.

However, you should do it with moderation. It is important to remember that even healthy and edible succulents can cause harm if given in large quantities. Just like with us, humans, animals should maintain moderate eating habits. I have listed the safe and edible succulents above. For Russian tortoises though, there are a few succulents that my neighbor feeds. The most frequent one is the broadleaf weeds. Aside from that, mulberry leaves are also good for the tortoises. If you want, you can also give your Russian tortoise mazuri pellets as my neighbor does.

But again, whatever you give must be in moderation. An excessive amount of any of these foods will ruin their bowel movement. This often results in runny poop. Aloe, red apple ice plants, organ pipe cactus, and opuntia cactus are also good for the tortoise. During summer, tortoises love opuntia more over other types of succulents, and this one they can eat in bigger quantities without risking any harm. Other alternative plants may include cactus, jade plants, and wild purslane.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it isn’t a rocket science with succulents and animals. After reading this post, you should know which succulent plants are safe from which animals, and which plants are safe for your beloved pets. As a rule of a thumb, try to stick to normal food for your pets, and do not experiment too much with introducing succulents in their diet. And if you want to keep the plants safe, make sure to keep them in a space where animals cannot reach them… I hope you will succeed, and wish you best of luck!

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