Plants - Silk vs Real

[deeishealthy]

Hello. I'm new to the froggy world and have been doing a lot of research before I purchase my pets. One of the burning questions i have is regarding plants. The internets are telling me both silk and real are good, but I want your opinions as well...

Here's the thing... I do NOT have a green thumb. Like, at all. So I'm leaning towards silk plants but want to know the pros and cons. What are your thoughts? Can a RETfrog couple live happily in a silk plant environment?

[Adam R]

live plants

pros: filter waste, exchange nutrients with the soil, cleans the air, add to natural beauty of any tank

cons: watering, trimming, can get expensive fast, can easily turn you into a plant collector/enthusiastic

Silk plants

pros: no watering, no maintenance, cheap

cons: polor opposite of all the pros of live plants, most are ugly

[deranged chipmunk]

can a frog live happily in an environment, short answer, yes. but they would be even happier in a viv with live plants. think about it, if silk plants were "just as good", we'd be replacing all the rainforest we destroyed with them. ok, a stretch, i know, but no one will ever convince me that silk is the better way to go. and to elaborate on Adam's post, live plants not only clean the air, but add much needed oxygen to the tank. oh, and the collector part is 100% true.....i am a living example...LOL

[steampunk]

IMO I think real is the way to go, helps with humidity, looks great, and the frogs love it. I've got live plants and the silk vine bridge is spanning the top of the tank but is only use it for shade where it's pinned to the rock wall.

I find real plants no real effort to keep, cos you spend so much time looking after the tanks condition, the plants become part of the routine. Although when setting up a live plant terrarium a bit more planning had to be used i.e. Drainage layer, etc.

[arielgasca420]

I would say maybe a mixture of both. There are a lot of plants that are easy to take care of. If you have too much green in your tank and want some color then I guess thats when the silk plants/flowers would come in handy. I tried doing a live orchid in one of my tanks and my frog would sit on it until the leaves snapped. lesson learned I guess.
If there is a certain look you want then try some houseplants, but make sure they are not toxic (I am sure you know this precaution already)

[Gold]

I'm using fake at the moment, purely as my tank isn't the size that i want it to be however when i upgrade i will be going to live plants.

[deeishealthy]

I ended up going to the local plant nursery with a list of frog friendly items. Got a few and my tank looks great!! I uploaded an album so you can see. I also have fake plants on the sides. I ended up with Dumpys, and they seem to be more ground dwellers.

[deranged chipmunk]

very nice Dee. i see a pothos, a nice philodendron, some happy bamboo and a bromeliad. and i seeing that right? it looks great and the boys look like they are enjoying their froggy Jacuzzi one suggestion, when you can, dump those analog thermometer and hygrometer and get a nice digital combo. if you can swing it. they are more accurate. those analog ones are pretty much inaccurate ****, to put it mildly....LOL