The Tortoise Club Plant Database
Our database includes over 200 plants, their taxonomic (latin) name, plant type, edible parts, and feeding recommendation. You can find a plant by typing any of these criteria into the search bar. Once you have found the plant you are looking for, click on the picture or common name to be taken to the page for that plant.
Each plant will have one of five different feeding recommendations, explained below. These are general classifications for all species of tortoise and are not intended to dictate the specific feeding schedule or percentage of diet for a specific tortoise species. For more information on recommended diets for individual species, please see the page for that species.
| Picture | Common Name | Latin Name | Plant Type | Edible Parts | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mimosa, Acacia | Acacia sp | Tree/Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Pansy, Viola | Viola sp. | Plant | Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | African Couch Grass | Digitaria abyssinica | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Alfalfa | Medicago sativia | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Aloe | Aloe vera | Succulent | Entire Plant | Feed in Moderation |
 | Alyssum, Sweet Alyssum | Lobularia maritima | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Apple (fruit) | Malus domestica | Tree | Fruit | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Arugula, Rocket, Rucola | Eruca sativa | Herb | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Asperagus Fern | Asperagus setaceus; Asperagus plumosis | Fern | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Aster | Aster sp. | Plant | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Baby's Tears; Irish Moss | Soleirolia soleirolli | Plant | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Bamboo Muhly Grass | Muhlenbergia dumosa | Grass | Entire Plant | Safe to Feed |
 | Banana Leaves | Musa sp. | Tree/Shrub | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Barnyardgrass | Echinochloa crus; Echinochloa galli | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Basil | Ocimum basillicum | Herb | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Begonias | Begonia sp. | Succulent | Do Not Feed | |
 | Bermuda | Cynodon dactylon | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Big Bluestem | Andropogon gerardii | Grass | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Bindweed, Field Bindweed | Convolvulus prostratus | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Birds Nests Fern | Asplenium nidus | Plant | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Birdsfoot Trefoil | Lotus corniculatus | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Bittercress | Cardamine hirsuta; Cardamine flexuosa | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Black Mustard | Brassica nigra | Weed | Entire Plant | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Blackberry, Bramble | Rubus fruticosus, Rubus sp. | Plant | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Bluedicks | Dichelostemma pulchellum | Wildflower | Flower | Safe to Feed |
 | Bluegrass, annual | Poa annua | Grass | Grass | Safe to Feed |
 | Boston Fern | Nephrolepsis exalta | Fern | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Bottle Brush | Callistemon | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Brome | Bromus sp. | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Buckwheat | Eriogonum fasciculatum | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Buffelgrass | Cenchrus ciliaris | Grass | Grass | Safe to Feed |
 | Bugleweed | Ajuga reptans | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Bundleflower, Illinois Bundleflower | Desmanthus illinoensis | Tree/Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Canarygrass, littleseed | Phalaris minor | Grass | Grass | Safe to Feed |
 | Carnation, Dianthus | Dianthus sp. | Plant | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Carrot, Wild Carrot | Daucus carota | Weed | Roots | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Cassia | Senna sp. | Tree/Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Cat's Ears | Hypochoeris sp. | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Chamomile | Chamaemelum nobile | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Chewings Fescue | Festuca rubra commutata | Grass | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Chickweed | Cerastium arvense | Weed | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Chicory | Cichorium sp. | Weed | Leaves, Roots | Feed in Moderation |
 | Chinese Lantern | Physalis sp. | Plant, Flower | Do Not Feed | |
 | Chrysanthemum | Chrysanthemum sp. | Plant | Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Chufa; Yellow Nut Grass | Cyperus esculentus | Grass | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Cinnamon Fern | Osumunda cinnamomea | Fern | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Climbing Nasturtium; Garden Nasturtium; Indian Cress | Tropaeolum majus | Vine | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Clover | Trifolium repens; Trifolium pratense | Weed | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Coleus | Coleus sp. | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Collard Greens | Brassica oleracea | Shrub | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Common Greenbrier; Catbrier | Silax roundfolia sp. | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Common Sorrel | Oxalis sp. | Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Coneflower, purple | Echinacea sp.; Rudbeckia | Herb | Safe to Feed | |
 | Coreopsis, Tickseed | Coreopsis giganta, tinctoria, atkinsoniana, calliopsidea | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Corn Plant | Dracaena fragrans | Plant | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Cornflower; Bachelor's Buttons | Centaurea cyanus | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Crabgrass | Digitaria sanguinalis | Grass | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Creeping Bell, Creeping Bellflower | Campanula rapunculoides | Weed | Flower | Feed in Moderation |
 | Creeping Charlie, Ground Ivy | Glechoma hederacea | Vine | Do Not Feed | |
 | Creeping Jenny, Moneywort | Lysimachia nummlaria | Vine | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Crimson Clover | Trifolium incarnatum | Plant | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Cucumber | Cucumis sativus | Shrub | Fruit | Feed in Moderation |
 | Curly Mesquire Grass | Hilaria belangeri | Grass | Entire Plant | Feed in Moderation |
 | Dahlia | Dahlia pinnata; Dahlia rosea | Plant | Flower | Feed in Moderation |
 | Daisy, English | Bellis perennis | Plant, Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Dandelion | Taraxacum offinicialis | Plant | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Dayflower | Commelina benghalensis | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Deadnettle, Red; Purple | Lamium purpurem | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Deer Grass | Muhlenbergia rigens | Grass | Entire Plant | Safe to Feed |
 | Desert Dandelion | Malacothrix glabrata | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Desert Four O'Clock | Mirabelis spectabalis | Wildflower | Entire Plant | Safe to Feed |
 | Desert Rose | Adenium obesum | Succulent | Do Not Feed | |
 | Dichondra, Wonderlawn | Dichondra repens | Plant, Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Dock | Rumex sp. | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Echinacea, Coneflower | Echinacea sp. | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Elephant's food | Portulaca afra | Succulent | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Endive | Cichorium endivia var crispum | shrub | leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Escarole, Frisée | Cichorium endivia | Shrub | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Evening Primrose | Oenothera biensis | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Fennel | Foeniculum sp. | Herb | Bulb | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Fescue (Blue, Tall, Red, Meadow) | Festuca sp. | Grass | Grass | Safe to Feed |
 | Field Mustard, Wild Mustard | Brassica rapa | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Fig | Ficus carica | Tree/Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Filaree, Storksbill | Erodium cicutarium | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Flowering Maple, Abutilon | Abutilon sp. | Succulent | Flower | Safe to Feed |
 | Fodder Oats, Oat, Oat Grass | Avena sativa | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Fonio, Pangolagrass | Digitaria sp. | Grass | Entire Plant | Feed in Moderation |
 | Forsythia | Forsythia sp. | Tree/Shrub | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | French Parsley, Chervil | Anthriscus sp. | Herb | Do Not Feed | |
 | Fuchsia | Fuchsia sp. | Plant | Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Gazania | Gazania sp. | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Geranium | Pelargonium sp. | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | German Chamomile | Matricaria chamomilla | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Globe Mallows | Sphaeralcea sp. | Weed | Entire Plant | Feed in Moderation |
 | Goat Head, Bindii | Tribulus terrestris | Weed | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, Fishpole Bamboo | Phyllostachys sp. | Tree/Shrub | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Goosegrass | Eleusine indica | Grass | Entire plant | Feed Sparingly |
 | Grape | Vitis vinifera | Fruit | Fruit | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Grape Vine | Family Vitaceae, Berberidacaea | Plant, Vine | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Grass, St. Augustine; Charleston | Stenotaphrum secundatum | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Guava, Common Guava | Psidium guajava | Tree/Shrub | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Hawk's Beards | Crepis biennis, capilallaris | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Hawkbits | Leontodon sp. | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Haworthia | Haworthia spp. | Succlent | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Heath | Ericaceae | Tree/Shrub | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Hen and Chicks | Echeveria sp. | Succulent | Entire Plant | Safe to Feed |
 | Henbit | Lamium amplexicaule | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Hibiscus | Hibiscus rosa, sinensis, syriacus | Tree/Shrub | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Hollyhock | Alcea rosea | Plant | Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Honesty | Lunaria annua | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Honeysuckle | Lonicera interrupta, aponica, periclymenum, caprifolium | Weed, Vine | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Honeysuckle, Desert | Anisacanthus thurberi | Shrub | Entire Plant | Feed Sparingly |
 | Hosta | Hosta sp. | Plant | Leaves, Flowers, Seeds | Feed Sparingly |
 | Ice Plant, Livingstone Daisy | Mesembryanthemaceae Family | Succulent | Safe to Feed | |
 | Iceberg Lettuce | Lactuca sativa | Weed | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Impatiens | Impatiens walleriana | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Indian Ricegrass | Oryzopsis hymenoides | Grass | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Intermediate Wheatgrass | Elytrigia intermedia | grass | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Jasmine | Jasminum officinale | Plant | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Kale | Brassica oleracea | Plant | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Kikuyugrass | Pennisetum clandestinum | Grass | Do Not Feed | |
 | Knotweed, Japanese Knotweed | Polygonum sp. | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Kudzu | Puerar lobata | Weed, Vine | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia, labiatae | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Lilac | Syringa vulgaris | Plant | Safe to Feed | |
 | Daylily | Hemerocallis sp. | Plant | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Lily, Easter | Lilium sp. | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Link & Otto | Tradescantia crassula | Succulent | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Live Forever | Sedum purpureum | Succulent | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Loquat Bush | Eriobotrya japonica | Tree/Shrub | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Mallow | Malva sylvestris, rotundifolia, neglecta, moschata | Plant, Weed | Leaves, Roots, Seeds | Safe to Feed |
 | Maple | Acer saccharum | Tree/Shrub | Safe to Feed | |
 | Marigold | Tagetes sp. | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Milk Thistle | Silybum marianum | Weed | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Mojave Aster | Machaeranthera tortifolia | Wildflower | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Monkey Plant, Mexican Petunia, Wild Petunia | Ruellia sp. | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Moon Flower, Morning Glory | Ipomoea sp. | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Mother of Pearl | Graptopetalum paraguayan | Plant | Safe to Feed | |
 | Mother of Thousands, Mexican Hat, Devils Backbone, Alligator Plant | Kalanchoe sp. | Succulent | Do Not Feed | |
 | Mulberry Tree, Paper Mulberry | Morus alba, nigra | Tree/Shrub | Leaves, Fruit | Safe to Feed |
 | Mushrooms | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |||
 | Mustard, Cress | Brassica sp. | Plant | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Needlegrass, Desert Needlegrass | Stipa speciosa | Grass | Do Not Feed | |
 | Nettle, Stinging | Urtica dioica | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Nipplewort | Lapsana communis | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Orchard Grass, Cat Grass, Oat Grass, Wheat Grass, Rye Grass | Dactylis glomerata | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Ostrich Fern | Matteuccia struthiopteris | Fern | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Owl's Clover; Pink Brush | Orthocarpus purpurascens | Weed | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Pampasgrass | Cortaderia selloana | Grass | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Pearl Millet, Fountaingrass, White Millet | Pennisetum glaucum | Grass | Seeds | Safe to Feed |
 | Pennywort, Navelwort, Kidneywort | Cotyledon umbilicus, veneris | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Pepper, Bell | Capsicum annuumm | Do Not Feed | ||
 | Peppergrass | Lepidium sp. | Grass | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Persimmon | Diospyros texanum, virginiana | Weed | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Petunia | Petunia sp. | Plant | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Phlox | Phlox sp. | Plant | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Pig's Ears | Cotyledon orbiculata | Succulent | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Pigweed/Amaranth | Amaranthus sp. | Weed | Seed | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Pineapple Guava | Feijoa sellowiana | Plant | Fruit | Feed in Moderation |
 | Pink Perslane | Montia sibirica | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Plantain, Ribwort Plantain | Plantago lanceotata | Weed | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Poppy, California poppy | Eschscholzia californica | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Poppy, Welsh | Meconopsis cambrica | Plant | Seeds | Feed in Moderation |
 | Sweet Potato | Ipomoea batatas | Do Not Feed | ||
 | Pothos, Devil's Ivy | Epipremnum aureum | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Poverty Weed | Monolepis nuttallia; Iva axillaris | Weed | Entire Plant | Feed Sparingly |
 | Prickly Pear, Cactus Pad | Opuntia ficus-indica | Succulent | Entire Plant | Feed in Moderation |
 | Primrose | Primula vulgaris | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Pumpkin | Cucurbita maxima | Shrub | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Purslane | Portulaca oleracea | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Quick Weed | Galinsoga sp. | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Radicchio | Cichorium intybus | shrub | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Radish | Raphanus sativus | Root | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Raspberry | Rubus sp. | Plant | Fruit | Feed Sparingly |
 | Red Maids | Calandrinia ciliata | Weed | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Redtop | Agrostis gigantea | Grass | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Romain Lettuce | Lacuta sativa | Shrub | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Rosemary | Rosamarinus sp. | Herb | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Russian Thistle; Prickly Saltwort | Salsola kali | Tree/Shrub | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Sage | Salvia sp. | Tree/Shrub/Herb | Seeds | Feed in Moderation |
 | Sainfoin | Onobrychis vicifolia | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Salad Burnet | Sanguisorba minor | Weed | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Saltbush | Atriplex sp | Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Sea Grape | Coccoloba uvifera | Tree/Shrub | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Senna, Desert | Cassia sp. | Tree/Shrub | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Sesame Grass | Tripsacum dactyloides | Grass | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed | |
 | Shepherd's Purse | Capsella bursa, pastorsis | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Sisal | Agave sisalana | Succulent | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Slender Grama Grass | Bouteloua repens | Grass | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Sow Thistle | Sonchus oleraceus, arvensis | Weed | Safe to Feed | |
 | Spider Plant | Chlorophytum comosum | Plant | Leaves | Feed in Moderation |
 | Spiderwort | Tradescantia virginiana; T. andersoniana | Succulent | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Sporobolus | Sporobolus helvolus | Tree/Shrub | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Spurges | Euphorbia sp. | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | St. Johns Wort | Hypericum sp. | Weed | Do Not Feed | |
 | Staghorn Fern | Platycerium bifurcatum | Fern | Do Not Feed | |
 | Stonecrops | Sedum sp. | Succulent | Feed in Moderation | |
 | Strawberry Fruit | Fragaria sp. | Plant | Fruit | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
 | Swedish Ivy | Plectranthus australis | Plant, Vine | Do Not Feed | |
 | Sweet Vernal Grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | Grass | Entire plant | Feed in Moderation |
 | Tea Rose | Rosa odorata | Plant | Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | Tea Tree | Leptospermum scoparium | Tree/Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Timothy Hay, Grass | Phleum pratense | Grass | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Tree Houseleek | Aeonium sp. | Succulent | Feed Sparingly | |
 | Tumble Thistle | Gundelia tournefortii | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Turnip Greens | Brassica rapa subsp. Rapa | Shrub | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Vetch, Bush, Common, Tufted | Vicia sativa | Weed | Leaves | Feed Sparingly |
 | Wandering Jew | Tradescantia albiflora | Succulent/Vine | Leaves, Flowers | Feed in Moderation |
 | White Dead nettle | Lamium album | Plant | Leaves | Safe to Feed |
 | Willow | Family Salicaceae | Tree/Shrub | Do Not Feed | |
 | Desert Willow | Chiopsis linearis | Tree/Shrub | Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Wintercress | Barbarea vulgaris | Weed | Leaves, Flowers | Feed Sparingly |
 | Wisteria | Wisteria sp. | Plant | Do Not Feed | |
 | Yucca | Yucca sp. | Succulent | Do Not Feed | |
 | Zinnia | Zinnia sp. | Plant | Leaves, Flowers | Safe to Feed |
 | Zucchini | Cucurbita pepo | shrub | Fruit | Feed Sparingly/Do Not Feed |
Feeding Recommendations
These plants are safe to feed to your tortoise and have very few restrictions.
These plants are safe to feed, but typically shouldn’t comprise the majority of their diet.
These plants typically contain excessive amounts of protein, sugar, or other compounds that could cause health issues if fed in excess. A good benchmark for these is to feed 2-4x per month and not on consecutive days.
These plants should be fed sparingly, if at all. This classification is typically for plants or fruit that are acceptable for one species and not another. Click on the specific plant for more information.
These plants are either toxic or harmful in some way and should not be fed.
Credits and References
Dr. Aniket Bansal
Dr. Aniket Bansal is a cell biologist and P.h.D. student in molecular biology at the University of Delhi. He has worked as a researcher for over 8 years and has written, edited, and contributed to several scientific articles and journals.
Please find a complete list of references and creative commons licenses here.
Disclaimer
This material is meant for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of what is listed, animals may have adverse reactions to different species, hybrids, soils used, and parts of plants and many factors can affect how a tortoise responds to them. We highly recommend that you take these precautions when introducing a new food item to your tortoise:
- Verify from multiple sources that you have identified the plant species correctly.
- Offer a very small quantity initially and observe how your tortoise responds to it.
The Tortoise Club disclaims all warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy of the information in any of the content on this website. No liability exists against The Tortoise Club or any member of The Tortoise Club, nor can they be held responsible for any allergy, illness or injurious effect that any tortoise may suffer as a result of information on this website or through using any of the plants mentioned by The Tortoise Club.
Copyright
All of the material on the Tortoise Club Plant Database is subject to copyright and cannot be used without prior permission. All rights reserved.