Bioactive plant variety

[Croninking]

I'm currently planning and designing a bioactive enclosure and I had some questions about plants.

1) on pretty much every "approved plants" list I've noticed that they are almost exclusively green leafy plants with very few other colors and almost no flowers. Is there a reason for this?

2) when planting directly into the substrate, is it possible to overcrowd your viv? I'm mostly concerned about the roots having room to grow .

3) I know that fake vines are not advised because of their tendency to breed bacteria and the risk of impaction of you cham ingests some of their coating but I like the look of them. I know there are viney plants that are approved but their vines all seem a bit small and I prefer the look of the most substantial fake vines. Are there natural options to achieve the look of fake vines?

 

[Beman]

Hey there this will give you more info https://chameleonacademy.com/plants/

There are colorful ones as well. If you have a veiled chameleon you want to choose the veiled tested plants only since they eat their plants.

I would advise against anything fake in the cage. For several reasons. Most that hold up to the temps and humidity are a harder plastic. I think of it like this... Would you want to walk around in cotton socks or would you want to walk around in plastic socks... Chameleons will not only drink off of plants but they will curl up in them. This is where fake is not beneficial. And if you have a veiled they actively eat their plants regardless of the type. Even Panther chameleons have been known to chew on a plant or a branch. Using pothos with a climbing pole that you attach it to can be a great way to get vines that are thick and substantial.

 

[EmilioTheAnkify]

1.) most plants that have color like hibiscus are perennial. So they only bloom once a year, and the rest of the time it’s a bare bush. Variegated plants would be the most color you’re going to get to be consistent
2.)my male has a 36x36x18 enclosure and over growth is real. Around every 2 months a good trimming is required. I’ve never had any issue with any plants being root bound.
3.)if you look closely…EVERY breeder uses fake and real plants. I used fake vines until my pothos n Brazilians grew in.

Here’s a picture of over growth

 

[Croninking]

1.) most plants that have color like hibiscus are perennial. So they only bloom once a year, and the rest of the time it’s a bare bush. Variegated plants would be the most color you’re going to get to be consistent
2.)my male has a 36x36x18 enclosure and over growth is real. Around every 2 months a good trimming is required. I’ve never had any issue with any plants being root bound.
3.)if you look closely…EVERY breeder uses fake and real plants. I used fake vines until my pothos n Brazilians grew in.

Here’s a picture of over growth

Thanks!