[Whitechapel]

Hello everyone! I'm new here, and I'm a soon to be first time tarantula owner once everything arrives (I've ordered everything from the internet). Let me give you the details so far:
* I plan on getting an arboreal spiderling. Right now I am leaning more towards an avicularia avicularia
* I ordered a cage from tarantulacages.com, http://tarantulacages.com/arboreal.html - it's the Small Arboreal Cage 6"x6"x10". I talked to Adam via email and he told me he could make me a front door instead, I agreed that that would be best
* I really want to do a live plant(s), but will need something small and can thrive in low light
* I want something the tarantula can really enjoy (and be safe on). I have not skimped on anything yet for my new pet, and I really want to put forth the effort to make the terrarium nice not only for me, but for the tarantula too

I would LOVE to do something from the tarantula's native home, but I think that could be too complicated (I wasn't even sure if it would be feasible). So, with my present situation, what do you recommend that would fit my requirements and be easy enough to do for a first timer (something that wont over run the cage, is easy to maintain, etc)? I've posted on spider related forums and have been recommended bromeliads, epiphytes, and cryptanthus.

If you aren't familiar with the avicularia aviculaira, they are native to the following regions: Amazon, Brazil, French Guyana, Surinam, Trinidad and Venezuela

(I now see the list of low light plants at the top of this forum, I'll be sure to give it a look over)

 

[lauraleellbp]

I'm moving this thread over to the vivarium section since this forum is for low tech aquarium plants rather than vivarium plants.

And I suspect you'll probably get more help on appropriate vivarium plants on a forum more specific to terrestrial plants vs aquatic plants. I imagine most if not all of the plants we're familiar with would require much too much humidity for a tarantula?

 

[Whitechapel]

I'm moving this thread over to the vivarium section since this forum is for low tech aquarium plants rather than vivarium plants.

And I suspect you'll probably get more help on appropriate vivarium plants on a forum more specific to terrestrial plants vs aquatic plants. I imagine most if not all of the plants we're familiar with would require much too much humidity for a tarantula?

Alright thank you!

An avicularia avicularia requires humidity of around 80%

 

[lauraleellbp]

Ah, shows my ignorance of tarantulas. :icon_mrgr

Would one be OK with standing water in their tank? Even most aquarium plants that are OK grown emersed still do need their roots in water...

A Pilea might fit the bill for you? Or dwarf Mondo grass?

 

[palufreak]

Thats a nice little cages you bought there... As for plants, I can't really help you but it would have to be relativaly strong if your spider climbs on it!!
Good Luck!!

 

[Whitechapel]

I'm not even sure how to respond to that. I'm too new at this to know exactly what I want yet.

Standing water isn't recommended for the simple fact that it can cause issues, at least that is what I've read. I'll have a bowl of water for the tarantula and mist the plants to keep the humidity up.

 

[lauraleellbp]

Check out the plants from www.joshsfrogs.com and www.blackjungleterrariumsupply.com, those are two places I looked through when I was picking out plants for my Crested Gecko viv.

 

[legomaniac89]

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilies) would probably work well. They're really easy to keep and the big leaves would be good for Avics to hide under or web together. They're native to the same area as Avicularia are too.

 

[Whitechapel]

Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilies) would probably work well. They're really easy to keep and the big leaves would be good for Avics to hide under or web together. They're native to the same area as Avicularia are too.

Awesome, this sounds perfect. I'll look into them and let you know what I find and if I have any questions.

 

[Whitechapel]

My next questions are: Where can I find care for it and a starter guide? Also where can I purchase one?

 

[kuni]

Spathiphyllum can be purchased at a Home Depot or anywhere that sells houseplants (under the name "peace lily") or from Petco/Petsmart as a "Brazil sword" (and yes, it would die under water).

 

[lauraleellbp]

Peace lillies get huge (single leaves generally over 3 feet long, and they grow relatively fast), one's not going to fit for long in a vivarium this size.

 

[legomaniac89]

Peace lillies get huge (single leaves generally over 3 feet long, and they grow relatively fast), one's not going to fit for long in a vivarium this size.

There are a number of new cultivars that stay pretty small, actually. I have one (Spathiphyllum "Petite") that tops out at 10" tall. I've seen Spathiphyllum "Viscount" at Lowe's before and it maxes out around 14". The true Spathiphyllum species and most common varieties do get big, but with a bit of looking, the OP should be able to find of the smaller ones.

 

[F22]

my plant list for this would also include a pothos plant.

 

[bonaparte]

A trailing bushy plant, like fittonia, would be easy to maintain and trim in a cage that size, and would never get too tall. Some peperomias stay small enough for a cage your size. You might also have luck with jewel orchids.

If you can find a miniature bromeliad that will tolerate low light, that would be a coup. Depending on the species they love the humidity and the stiff leaves will support just about any spider. (But most mini neoregelias, cryptanthus and tillandsias that I'm familiar with are going to want at least moderate light.)

 

[lauraleellbp]

There are a number of new cultivars that stay pretty small, actually. I have one (Spathiphyllum "Petite") that tops out at 10" tall. I've seen Spathiphyllum "Viscount" at Lowe's before and it maxes out around 14". The true Spathiphyllum species and most common varieties do get big, but with a bit of looking, the OP should be able to find of the smaller ones.

I didn't know that- awesome! I may try and find one for one of my Crestie vivs... :thumbsup:

Fittonia is one of my all-time favorite houseplants, they're just so beautiful!