Plants

Airplants

Air plants commonly sold in gardens centres etc. are bromeliads of the genus Tillandsia. Many species require dry conditions and will rot in humidities suitable for dartfrogs. In general, these tend to have silver or grey leaves. Some species can do well in vivaria if they are not constantly wet.

Bonsai

Bonsai trees are dwarfed, ornamentally shaped trees or shrubs grown in small shallow pots or trays. They are kept small by shoot and root pruning and root growth restriction, so need to be kept in small containers. Traditional Japanese bonsai are temperate species which will not thrive in vivarium conditions. It might be possible to grow tropical species in large vivaria, but this is not commonly achieved.

Bromeliads

Bromeliads are epiphytic or terrestrial (depending on species) tropical American plants of the family Bromeliaceae, usually having long stiff leaves, colourful flowers, and showy bracts. Bromeliads are very diverse and include include the pineapple, Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides - bad fro frogs vivs: sharp edges and frogs may get tangled in it), and airplants (Tillandsia spp.). Bromeliads are native to dartfrog environments and "tank bromeliads" contain water reservoirs in their leaf axils which for natural breeding sites for many dartfrog species, in particular smaller "thumbnail" frogs. Bromeliads vary in size - some are huge, much to big for the average vivarium. Terrestrial species can be grown in the substrate provided they are not constantly saturated. Ephyphytic species are best grown mounted on branches or the backdrop of the vivarium where excess water will simply run away. Advanced froggers sometime replicate natural dartfrog habitats by planting with ephyphytic bromeliads over a substrate covered with dead leaves - sounds weird but can look stunning.

Epiphytes

Epiphyte refers to any plant that grows upon or attached to another plant. The name comes from the Greek epi- ('upon') and phyton ('plant'). Bromeliads are epiphytes commonly grown in dartfrog vivaria. Epiphytes are not parasitic on their host, growing independently and deriving only physical support from the association. This gives them advantages of much more light for photosynthesis than is available on the dimly lit forest floor (which is often completely free of plants other than dead leaves). Roots develop primarily for attachment, and specialized structures (for example, cups or tanks and scales) are used to collect or hold moisture.

Ferns

Ferns are surprisingly difficult to grow in dartfrog vivaria. Temperate species may not appreciate the conditions, and species which do thrive often grown inconveniently large/fast. For these reasons they are not favourite dartfrog plants, but can be grown if care is used selecting the right species.

Java Moss

Java moss (Vesicularia dubyana) is an aquatic species which will often grown terrestrially if kept quite damp. Many people experience difficulties growing moss in vivaria but can happily grow large green carpets of Java moss. This is also a very good plant for maintaining good water quality and providing hiding places in tadpole rearing containers, and only requires low level lighting.

Liverworts

Some species of liverworts, non-flowering plants, do well in vivaria, growing to form green carpets, where as other to not. Sometimes available as spores, it's a case of experimenting, unless you receive a species known to thrive from another dartfrog keeper.

Moss

Many people try to grow moss as ground cover in dartfrog vivaria. However, if you look around natural dartfrog habitats, you won't see any ground cover except dead leaves other than in a few areas such as streambanks. Temperate species such as Sphagnum may do well for short periods in viviaria but will eventually need replacing as they do not like the constantly warm conditions. Few true tropical species are available, but they are sometimes from vivarium suppliers.

Orchids

Some people come to dartfrogs through orchids, others come to orchids through dartfrogs, but sooner or later, we all go there. The diversity of orchids is staggering. Some species are epiphytic, others terrestrial, and it is not possible to describe them all here. Best to ask experienced orchid growers about a particular species.

Pothos (Scindapsus/Epipremnum)

"Pothos" (not a scientific name) is a fast growing, commonly available plant which thrives in vivaria. Loves wet conditions, roots easily from cuttings and needs regular pruning or it will take over the vivarium. In total, there are about 35 species belong to this South-Eastern Asian genus from the subfamily Monsteroidae (same as the "Swiss cheese plant"). Some, such as S. pictus, are less thuggish than the common variegated pothos.

Riccia

Riccia fluitans is an aquatic plant which can grow terrestrially and form green carpets if kept constantly wet, e.g. next to water features.

Selaginella

Fern-like in appearance, these plants have a world-wide distribution, ocurring in deserts (the famous "ressurection ferns") and rainforests. To survive vivarium conditions, species which tolerate wetter conditions must be chosen. Some but not all species require very acid conditions.

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