Recognizing Unsafe Plants for Turtles
It is best not to feed turtles anything you aren’t certain to be safe. When planting an enclosure, or the backyard if the turtle is allowed outside, first research the toxicity of all the plants that may be purchased or grown. Also, identify all the plant species that already exist in the yard. If uncertain about specific plants, take cuttings of the leaves and flowers and take them to the local extension office or plant nursery for identification. A turtle or pet will not know the difference between a toxic and non-toxic plant. Turtles often will eat a tasty looking plant so it’s up to you to know what turtles can eat.
What Plants Are Poisonous to Turtles
These are the most commonly known toxic plants to turtles, but many more exist.
Plants containing oxalates (oxalate salts)
Contact with these plants may cause burning, swelling, and pain:
Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)BegoniaBoston Ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata)Calla Lily (Zantedeschia sp.)Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia amoena)Elephant’s Ear (Colocasia)Firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea)Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera)Umbrella Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)
Toxic or potentially toxic plants to turtles
These are plants turtles should not eat and could cause trauma to various organs. Toxicity level ranges from mild to severe, depending on the plant:
Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladonna)Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)Asparagus Fern (Asparagus sprengerii)Avocado (leaves, seeds) (Persea americana)Azalea, Rhododendron speciesBird of Paradise shrub (Poinciana gilliesii/Caesalpinia gilliesii)Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)Buttercup family (Ranunculus sp.)Caladium (Caladium sp.)Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)Chinaberry (Melia azedarach)Columbine (Aquilegia sp.)Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)Daffodil (Narcissus sp.)Larkspur (Delphinium sp.)Carnation (Dianthus sp.)Euphorbia (Euphorbia sp.)Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica)Holly (Ilex sp.) Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)Hydrangea (Hydrangea sp.)Iris (Iris sp.)Ivy (Hedera helix)Jerusalem Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) Juniper (Juniperus sp.)Lantana (Lantana camara)Lily of the Nile (Agapanthus africanus)Lily of the Valley (Convallaria sp.)LobeliaLupine (Lupinus sp.)Nightshade family (Solanum sp.)Oleander (Nerium oleander)Periwinkle (Vinca sp.)Philodendron (Philodendron sp.)Love Pea (Abrus precatarius)Shasta Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum)String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)
Dermatitis toxicity
Sap from any of these plants may cause a skin rash, itching, or irritation. Cleanse with soap and water.
Candytuft (Iberis sp.)Ficus (Ficus sp.)Primrose (Primula sp.)
Potentially harmful plants
Some information suggests these plants could be harmful to turtles and tortoises too:
GardeniaGrape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)Sweet Pea (Lathyrus odoratus)
