Is this scheflera plant okay for my Panther Cham ?

[Martythechameleon]

I have had it for a while just never got around to putting it in His cage sense I didn't know if it was harmful for him.

 

[Scout]

I'm no expert but I'd say yes. As long as you made sure their weren't any furtilizers. What a lot a people suggest doing is reporting it into top soil. And put some large rocks on top of the soil so your Cham doesn't ingest the soil and in turn become impacted.

 

[Martythechameleon]

okay cool i was just checking because i know that their are some of these that are not good to use.

 

[Chase]

Actually that type of schefflera is toxic. You want the smaller type, Schefflera arboricola.

This is the type you want. It is called an umbrella tree usually when you go to Walmart, Lowes, etc. Sometimes they are variegated, other times they're a solid green leaf. Either is fine

Chase

 

[Martythechameleon]

so i cant put it in his cage? this was the umbrella tree im pretty positive

 

[Chase]

so i cant put it in his cage? this was the umbrella tree im pretty positive

That's correct, it is potentially toxic to your chameleon. Unfortunately it has the same commlm name as the safe plant. They are related and look very similar. But, what you have is Schefflera actinophylla.

That's the problem with using common names, sometimes they share the same name so it becomes confusing.

Chase

 

[Scout]

Sorry for the misleading information. At least I gave you a disclaimer

 

[Martythechameleon]

whats the major difference for future reference so i can tell?

 

[Martythechameleon]

and can it be toxic just to walk on? like an out door plant for only 30 min at a time, would that be okay

 

[sapphira80]

Plants can look very similar and be hard to tell apart just by looking, especially when they are small, young plants. I believe S. actinophylla has harder, waxy leaves and a woodier trunk than its safe cousin, S. arbicola. When you buy plants, always go by the scientific name because most plants have many common names, and several different species are called the same common name (like the umbrella tree). S. arbicola is usually called a dwarf umbrella tree, but you can't trust that either.

If you're at a big box store, and they don't have the scientific name on the plant, if you're not sure, I wouldn't risk it. Spend $10 more at a nursery/greenhouse where there are knowledgeable people to help you, and don't risk your chameleons life.

 

[sapphira80]

and can it be toxic just to walk on? like an out door plant for only 30 min at a time, would that be okay

I believe it's only toxic if they eat it, but you're taking a risk if your chameleon will eat it or not. It doesn't take much to make them ill.