Turtles and Plants
The following list is alphabetized by common name and includes plants along with varying notes about their toxicity to turtles. All information here is from the University of California Irvine’s Tortoise Group.*
(Click to open a printable PDF version of the information below.)
Toxicity Legend
1 = oxalates, can cause rashes and difficulty breathing/swallowing
2 = toxic, potentially deadly
3 = contact dermatitis, bad for sensitive individuals
4 = info incomplete/suspected toxic
Common Name
Scientific Name
Toxicity
Amaryllis
Amaryllis belladonna
2
Aglaonemas, all
Aglaonema modestum
1
Arrowhead Vine
Syngonium podophyllum
1
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus sprengerii
2, 3
Avocado (leaves, seeds)
Persea americana
2
Azalea
Rhododendron spp.
2
Begonia
Begonia x
1
Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
2, 3
Buttercup family
Ranunculus spp.
2, 3
Calla Lily
Zantedeschia spp.
1
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
2
Carolina Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirens
2
Cashew tree
Anacardium occidentale
2
Cissus
Cissus rhombifolia
4
Creeping Charlie
Glechoma hederacea
2
Cyclamen
Cyclamen persicum
2
Delphinium, Larkspur
Delphinium spp.
2
Dianthus, Carnation
Dianthus spp.
2
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia amoena
1
Dwarf Schefflera
Schefflera arboricola
1, 3
Elephant’s Ear
Philodendron, Alocasia, Colocasia spp.
1, 3
Euphorbia (all)
Euphorbia spp.
2, 4
Ficus, Figs (all)
Ficus spp.
3
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
2
Garden Mum
Chrysanthemum morifolium
2, 3, 4
Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides
4
Heavenly Bamboo
Nandina domestica
2
Holly
Ilex spp.
2
Hydrangea
Hydrangea spp.
2
Iris (esp. rhizome)
Iris spp.
2, 3
Ivy – English, Sweetheart, etc.
Hedera helix
2, 3
Juniper
Juniperus spp.
2
Lantana
Lantana camara
2, 3
Lily of the Nile
Agapanthus africanus
2, 3
Nightshade family
Solanum spp.
2
Oleander
Nerium oleander
2
Philodendron
Philodendron spp.
2
Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima
4
Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
1, 3
Royal Poinciana
Poinciana gilliesii
2
Shasta Daisy
Chrysanthemum maximum
2, 3
Splitleaf Philodendron
Monstera deliciosa
1
String of Pearls
Senecio rowleyanus, S. herrieanus
2
Sweet Pea (seeds)
Lathyrus odoratus
4
Tomato (leaves, vines)
Solanum lycopersicum
2
Umbrella Tree
Schefflera actinophylla
1, 3
Vinca, Periwinkle
Vinca spp.
2
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
1
*This list was compiled from the University of California Irvine’s Tortoise Group and is intended to be informative only. Please consult a veterinarian if you have questions on specific plants or if you experience a pet with illness caused by any plants.
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