Jacqui's Captive Bred Tortoises

EDIBLE GARDEN PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR TORTOISES
Agave

Aloe vera

Anagallis Linifolia - (annual - leaves & flowers)

Antirrhinum - (leaves &flowers)

Ameria (thrift ) - (flowers)

Aubretia - (leaves & flowers)

Begonia Semperflorens - flowers & leaves (avoid all tuberous begonias however, as may be toxic)

Cactus, opuntia (Prickly pear/Indian fig) - spineless or semi spineless varieties easier to handle

Calendula officinal - flowers

Campanula - especially C. carpatica

Coreopsis - flowers

Cornflower - leaves of young plants nibbled

Crassula

Dead Nettle (Lamium) - leaves

Echeveria

Eschscholzia (californian poppy) - flowers

Fuchsia - leaves & flowers eaten occasionally

Gazania - flowers & leaves

Geranium species (perennial) leaves & flowers

Hebe - flowers (leaves may be nibbled)*

Hemerocallis - (day lily) flowers

Hibiscus - flowers especially, also leaves

Honeysuckle - flowers

Hosta - leaves

Hottentot Fig (Carpobrotus edulis) - leaves

Lavatera - (Mallow/Malva) - leaves & flowers (adored by my tortoises!)

Mesembryantemums (annual) - leaves & flowers

Meconopsis Cambrica (Welsh Poppy) - leaves & flowers

Mimulus (annual) - especially flowers

Mysotis (forget-me-nots) - leaves & flowers

Mulberry (Morus alba) - leaves

Nasturtium - leaves & flowers

Nemesia - leaves & occasionally flowers

Osteospermum - flowers & leaves eaten occasionally

Pansies - leaves and flowers

Pelargonium - leaves & flowers

Petunia - leaves & flowers

Rose - petals only

Sedum spectabilis - leaves (other pink flowered alpines sedums are also consumed)

Sempervivum (house leeks) - leaves

Strawberry (wild and cultivated) - leaves & flowers. Give fruit only as treat or to disguise medicine

Sweet Woodruff (galium odoratum)*

Viola/Violet - leaves & flowers

Zinnia - leaves & flowers

NB -  Dwarf or small hebes are ideal for tortoise garden planting providing both dapples shade and the occasional nibble. Sweet woodruff is more useful as a low growing evergreen shelter plant, but is occasionally eaten.

In general, tortoises do not eat herbs but will use them for shelter. Rosemary, thyme, sage, wild marjoram and bay can all be used in tortoise enclosures.