Terrarium Plant Guide: Tropical Rainforest

There are around 391,000 plants known to science. This can make choosing the perfect plants for a setup extremely hard. On the one hand, there is plenty of choice that allows the keeper to create a geographically accurate depiction of the animal's natural habitat. On the other hand, the sheer breadth of choice and fragility of many plants means it is very easy to pick something that just does not thrive in a terrarium. Exotics Keeper Magazine has put together the perfect selection of jungle plants for a poison frog setup:

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron scandens

Found in the rainforests of Brazil, Philodendron scandens is possibly the most widely available of all Philodendron species. It is extremely hardy and can grow in a variety of different conditions. It is perfect for herpetoculture because of its versatility. It can be planted in soil or water, it can climb up the backgrounds of terrariums or hang over the edge of an aquarium, it can be used in rain chambers with 100% humidity or in semi-tropical colubrid setups.

As its name suggests, the heartleaf philodendron possesses large-sized, broad leaves in the shape of hearts. These can grow up to 25cm long when planted outdoors in the right conditions, but they are also very manageable within a terrarium habitat. These leaves are excellent for poison frogs that can comfortably sit on them and use them to traverse the enclosure. As this plant (or its close relatives) can be found from Brazil to Mexico, it covers the native range of just about all poison frog species and although it doesn’t provide a specific ecological niche, it is the ideal terrarium plant.

 Trailing Jade

Peperomia rotundifolia

Trailing jade is a species of round leaf peperomia from South America. Its dense leaves and quick growth make it an excellent addition to a new poison frog terrarium. This species flourishes when it is pot-bound, so if it can be fixed to an elevated area within the terrarium, it will trail over the side of the pot and create a wonderful wall of vegetation. This provides excellent hiding opportunities for all small-bodied reptiles and amphibians and can create a high-humidity microclimate within the enclosure. If it is planted into the ground, it will quickly form ground cover and add a new layer of shelter for terrestrial frogs.

Although this species will grow in a variety of conditions (including as an epiphyte), it prefers constantly moist soil and temperatures that exceed 24°C. This may mean it is unsuitable for montane species that prefer cooler temperatures, but for most poison frogs that should be kept between 21°C and 25°C, it is perfect. This species can also be propagated very easily so anyone with an expanding collection of poison frogs, or breeders who may need to pull together a temporary enclosure quite quickly, should certainly consider growing some additional trailing jade.

 Vriesea Bromeliad

Vriesea saundersii

There are around 3,600 species of Bromeliad. They are some of the most diverse plants on Earth and are only found in the Americas. Some genera of poison frogs rely on bromeliads to lay their eggs and raise their tadpoles (most famously Oophaga sp.), whilst others will use their broad leaves as shelter. Although not all poison frogs need bromeliads to thrive, most keepers can find major benefits in adding bromeliads to their enclosure. Their leaves create reservoirs of water which can help maintain humidity. They are also epiphytic and can be easily attached to elevated areas in the enclosure. This maximises the usable area within the terrarium without compromising floor space. Some species also produce dazzling flowers, additional pups (which can be replanted) or blush under intense sunlight – all of which are visually striking.

Vriesea saundersii is a species of bromeliad endemic to Brazil. It has a stunning silver speckled colouration and a unique leaf shape, making it stand out from all other bromeliads. It is an incredibly robust species that will support the weight of even the largest of poison frogs. Although this species can grow up to 60cm in width, it is very slow growing making it ideal for a terrarium environment. Unlike other bromeliads, saundersii will grow in comparatively low light conditions.   

 Earth Star

Cryptanthus sp.

Cryptanthus are the ideal decorative plant. They are technically bromeliads but tend to grow close to the ground and remain small throughout their growth cycle. Sometimes called ‘Earth Stars’, they are generally brightly coloured and have stiff leaves. These plants can help hold moisture, which will evaporate at a different rate from the surrounding areas, making them ideal for creating microclimates, particularly underneath a dense canopy. They prefer bright light, which helps them colour up and maintain a bright pink colouration.

There are 1,200 different species of Cryptanthus but most of the varieties commonly available in the UK are endemic to Brazil. Whilst these plants play far more of a decorative role in establishing a poison frog terrarium, they are geographically accurate, especially for Brazilian species such as Adelphobates and some forms of D. tinctorius. They are epiphytes and can be grown on the floor of the terrarium or hung from branches or backgrounds with little to no substrate. They can be fixed to a surface with fishing line or bundles of sphagnum moss can be wrapped around their roots and placed in cork bark tubes. This can be particularly useful in utilising all the terrarium space both horizontally and vertically, which is perfect for a smaller terrarium.

 Tradescantia

Tradescantia sp.

Tradescantia is a genus of around 85 flowering herbaceous plants. They grow across the Americas, although the ones most frequently associated with exotics keeping are found in Mexico’s rainforests. Species such as pallida and zebrina might not be geographically accurate for poison frogs, but the rest of the Tradescantia family are found throughout South America’s tropical forests where poison frogs are found. Tradescantia is stunningly vibrant, and extremely hardy and grows into dense bundles of leaves. This dense vegetation creates the perfect hiding spot for feeder insects and provides great enrichment for hungry frogs that must hunt amongst the leaves for their prey.

These plants will get spindly with age and therefore will require some maintenance to keep their unique appearance. However, they can be easily propagated and make excellent houseplants too. Most Tradescantia will flower under the right conditions, producing delicate brightly coloured flowers.