Do T's need live plants?

[arachbiodude]

I am just asking because this will lead to more expense for lighting. I even tried live plants in chameleon cage with lots of lighting and failed. T's get a little light from lamp. All they seem to care about is hide and webbing up enclosure. They don't eat plants.

 

[Arachnoclown]

Live plants provide zero benefits for tarantulas in captivity.

 

[octanejunkie]

No

 

[Nurse Ratchet]

I will have to agree. T's don't need live plants. As someone who has spent an embarrassing amount of time researching T's and bioactive enclosures, the answer is a big fat NOPE. They really need very little. Comfy temp, access to water, air flow, some dirt, a place to hide and/or web, and occasional food, all tossed into a tiny, one bedroom T-sized studio apartment.
That being said, some T owners may benefit from live plants.
Plants are attractive.
They give you something to tend to when your T goes into hiding for 73+ days.
The right plant can thrive in even a dim, often dry enclosure.
Most LED lights will provide adequate light for photosynthesis with low energy costs and no unnecessary added heat.
If you have live plants, you probably have springtails and maybe dwarf isopods which will help eat any T poop, missed boluses and bug bits, prevent mold, and help keep a tidy environment.
Plants are for the peoples, not the T's. You can have perfect husbandry with or without live plants.
I personally opt for live plants when possible.

 

[Poppy2020]

I would think plants would help with clean air for T’s? Especially like pothos?

 

[octanejunkie]

I would think plants would help with clean air for T’s? Especially like pothos?

 

[Poppy2020]

 

[Oursapoil]

Although they are not needed, I see many upsides to a couple of healthy plants here and there. They provide a role in a bio active setup, help make microclimate zones in the enclosure, provide anchor points for webbing as well as hiding spots (depending on the plants).
Last but not least, when we’ll taken care of they drastically increase the visual attractiveness of an enclosure.
P.S: plants are not for every species of Ts, the choice of plant is important as well as some could represent a physical danger for your T. Keep also in mind that regardless of the effort you put into it, your T might also decide to flip it upside down, move it around or improve her gardening skills (my A. geniculata already went on to cut every single leafs of two plants…).
Cheers.