Good plants?

[C.H.D Exotics]

First if you have not red the previous thread I am making a enclosure for adult Home's Hingeback Tortoises. (Kinixys homeana). I have decided what I am making for the walls of the enclosure. I will be taking 2 in. x 10 in. x 8 ft. boards for the walls, and I will be making the above ground walls 22 in. high, and 8 in. underground. I will be taking 4 x 4 x 6s for the posts and cuting 2 of them in half to making 3 ft long boards. then securing them with quickcrete. Then taking 2 x 4s to make a rail on top. Then take 2 x 2 x 8s and screw them together to make a frame then I will be taking 1 x 1 hardware mesh to make a lid. the enclosures final dimensions will be 8 ft. x 30 in. x 8 ft. Now for my question. What are some good plants to provide good coverage, and shade? I am trying to go for a more sub tropical lowland forest of west Africa look. So I was think some Boston Ferns, plant some hibiscus trees on the outside, maybe some spider plant, or creeping jenny, maybe some hostas or prayer plant? Any types of plants safe for them that might fit the "west African sub tropical lowland forest look"? or tropical swamps, or any other habitat they would be found in?

 

[Jacqui]

Lots of hostas and they come in such a wide variety of colors and sizes. Ferns work well, too. Wild violets, even tame ones. Daylilies in the more lighted areas. Strawberries. Just about any plant (with the right light requirements) work as these tortoises are not hard on plants like say a sulcata.

I like to hang plants down from above. Things like ferns and airplane/spider plants. Philadendrens (dang no idea how to spell that viney house plant). They work on the ground too.

 

[Jacqui]

Against the "backwall" something tall like banana or elephant plant.

 

[C.H.D Exotics]

Against the "backwall" something tall like banana or elephant plant.

Thanks! I am going to be making a tortoise/turtle "area" of the yard which is about 2 acres. It is at the woods line so there is massive Oaks, Sweetgums, and Pine around it to shade half the enclosure. The spot I chose to make the area there are spots with full shade all day and full sun all day and shade and sun. But I will be putting planting hibiscus trees around the area and banana trees, and elephant ear plant for those Indian species. But for the hingebacks I will be putting Boston Ferns, some hostas, natural weeds/grasses/plantains/clover will come up on its own. I will also be planting spider plant since I have a abundance of it.

 

[William Lee Kohler]

Make sure they will be safe from thieves and wild animal predators/thieves as well.

 

[C.H.D Exotics]

Make sure they will be safe from thieves and wild animal predators/thieves as well.

I have tops on all of my enclosures, and padlocks to lock them down, as with the theives, I would think they would cut the lock on the shed with thousands of dollars worth of tools in it before a tortoise cage.

 

[William Lee Kohler]

NORMAL folks might but us reptile nuts aren't normal. There's some real scum and villains among us.

 

[Jinx]

What are the best types of Philodendrons to put in an enclosure, I have a Monstera (not on the enclosure) but I know it is poisonous to cats and dogs (which are obviously very different then tortoises/turtles), so I'm hesitant to put it in there! And what are some good ferns?
I have a juvenile Hermann tortoise (about a year old) she or he is in an indoor enclosure/tortoise table (4by3ft).

 

[JoesMum]

What are the best types of Philodendrons to put in an enclosure, I have a Monstera (not on the enclosure) but I know it is poisonous to cats and dogs (which are obviously very different then tortoises/turtles), so I'm hesitant to put it in there! And what are some good ferns?
I have a juvenile Hermann tortoise (about a year old) she or he is in an indoor enclosure/tortoise table (4by3ft).

According to The Tortoise Table Plant Database, philodendron is "Do not feed" due to its toxicity
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=520&c=5#.WdoLPaXTXo4

The same is true for Swiss Cheese Plant - Monstera
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=890&c=5#.WdoLeqXTXo4

Which makes neither suitable for an enclosure in my opinion

TTT lists only Boston Fern as suitable
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=568&c=2#.WdoMJqXTXo4

Otherwise Ferns are "Do not feed"
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=568&c=2#.WdoMJqXTXo4

Look up plants for suitability by searching on TTT here http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/

 

[Jinx]

According to The Tortoise Table Plant Database, philodendron is "Do not feed" due to its toxicity
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=520&c=5#.WdoLPaXTXo4

The same is true for Swiss Cheese Plant - Monstera
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=890&c=5#.WdoLeqXTXo4

Which makes neither suitable for an enclosure in my opinion

TTT lists only Boston Fern as suitable
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=568&c=2#.WdoMJqXTXo4

Otherwise Ferns are "Do not feed"
http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/plant-database/viewplants/?plant=568&c=2#.WdoMJqXTXo4

Look up plants for suitability by searching on TTT here http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/

Thank you! This is super helpful ☺️

 

[Jacqui]

Phil's should be safe to use with your hingebacks, but not with your Hermanni.

 

[Jinx]

Phil's should be safe to use with your hingebacks, but not with your Hermanni.

Hey sorry this is off topic but I'm new and I can't figure out how to make a post!!! I tried to create a conversation but I think it's private and no one answered and I really need advice on my Hermann!