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5 Best Greens for Bearded Dragons


Most recommended
6 Fresh Lemon Grass
  • Brand TastePadThai
  • Item Form Lemongrass
  • 6 Fresh Lemon Grass
A good choice too
Mustard Greens Seed
  • Color Green
  • Vegetables
  • Regular Watering
A good choice too
Thai Sweet Basil Fresh
  • Brand TastePadThai
  • Weight 14 Ounces
  • Variety Basil
Kohlrabi Seed, Early
  • Color BICOLOR
  • Vegetables
  • Heirloom
Green Cabbage, Locally
  • 7 x 7 x 7 inches
  • 1 Pounds
  • Farmers Market

Choose the Best Green for Bearded Dragon

Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Greens for Bearded Dragons

10 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!

20.00% of users selected 6 Fresh Lemon Grass, 20.00% selected Mustard Greens Seed, 30.00% selected Thai Sweet Basil Fresh, 10.00% selected Kohlrabi Seed, Early and 20.00% selected Green Cabbage, Locally. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

If you have a bearded dragon, it is important to provide them with a balanced diet. This article will help you choose the best greens for your pet.

The first thing you should do when choosing greens for your bearded dragon is find out what type of plant they are from originally. Many types of plants that grow in one region may be toxic or poisonous to pets from another region. For example, an African spurred flower might be deadly to a North American lizard because the ingredients used to make it could cause illness or death if ingested by the animal.

Another thing to consider when choosing greens is whether or not they are safe for consumption by humans as well as animals; some contain substances that can harm us too!

6 Fresh Lemon Grass

6 pieces of lemon grass that are about the size of a medium drink. This food is guaranteed to arrive fresh. Put this in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the fridge. You will need to keep them in water for a few days to a week so that they may establish roots. It also depends on where you reside; it should be warm all year.

Avoid using pesticides or chemicals on your greens when trying to grow them in your home garden. Chemicals and pesticides could prove fatal to animals that ingest the plants and should be kept out of their reach completely, which can often result in a challenge for pet owners living in apartments who try growing their own greens.

Pros
  • The plant should be fresh and healthy when delivered to you.
  • It has a long shelf life.

Cons
  • You will need a good amount of space in order to grow your own lemongrass at home, especially if it is going to be served regularly for the health of your bearded dragon!


Mustard Greens Seed, Tendergreen, Heirloom, Non GMO, 25+ Seeds, Green

Excellent. Mustard greens are a must-have in any garden. Tendergreen is an excellent heirloom variety with fantastic old-fashioned flavor. Spinach Mustard is another name for it. It has mild, smooth, dark green leaves that are easy to grow and high in vitamins and minerals.

They can be cultivated for a fall crop, and seed should be planted in late July to yield an early fall harvest. They are high in minerals and are an excellent source of vegetables to incorporate into your diet. They taste wonderful steamed, stir-fried, or used in soups.Most people think of typical greens as Southern crops. They can be cultivated in most parts of the United States. When the soil is warm, seeds may be planted straight into the garden. 3-10 Zones All seeds are kept in their original packaging for planting this season.

Pros
  • It is easy to grow.
  • Can improve your health tremendously when consumed regularly by humans and bearded dragons alike!

Cons
  • take up quite a bit of space in order to effectively raise them at home
  • very nutritious


Thai Sweet Basil Fresh 14 oz.

Bai horapa is a plant that we eat in Thailand. It is used in many different dishes and it is usually eaten as a vegetable. Bai horapa can be eaten in whole leaves and sprigs, and the flower buds are also edible.

One way to grow bai horapa quickly is to place it outside of the refrigerator.This basil, like many other leafy herbs, may be kept fresh for longer by placing the cut ends in water and covering it with a plastic bag before storing it in the fridge. For keeping them refrigerated, wrap the herbs in paper towels before wrapping each one in a plastic bag. They’ll keep for around a week if stored this way.

Pros
  • Can be used in a variety of dishes.
  • They can keep for longer when stored properly in the fridge!

Cons
  • Must be eaten regularly to maintain the health of your bearded dragon.
  • Take up space that could otherwise be utilized for other crops or activities.


Kohlrabi Seed, Early White Vienna, Heirloom, Non GMO, 25 Seeds

Kohlrabi is a vegetable with a thick skin. Inside, it has a delicious and juicy vegetable. Kohlrabi grows in the ground, not in the air. It is part of the brassica family of vegetables that includes broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Kohlrabi is a wonderful vegetable with many health benefits. It’s been linked to improved brain performance, diabetes, and heart disease prevention.

The greens on kohlrabi are high in nutrients and contain phytochemicals that aid in the prevention of these diseases.You can cook Kohlrabi like you would turnip, but under the skin is another layer of fibers. Peel those away and keep peeling until you reach something light. The edible part of Kohlrabi is actually an enlarged stem. Best harvested when the stem reaches 2-3 inches.

Kohlrabi greens are frequently eaten raw or cooked. This cultivar has a light green skinned exterior and whitish interior, with a slightly quicker growth rate than the Purple Vienna Kohlrabi. Plant kohlrabi in rich soil 1/4 inch deep. They love moisture once they’re established, so keep giving them compost on the sideRemove the rootlets and foliage for winter protection. For winter storage, remove the roots and leaves. When the soil is warm, seeds may be planted directly in the ground or started in containers. Zones 3 to 10 All of the seeds are packed and ready to use for this growing season.

Pros
  • Has many health benefits.
  • Very Tasty
  • Can be used for a variety of dishes and recipes.

Cons
  • Takes up quite a bit of space in order to grow effectively at home
  • Very nutritious
  • can only be eaten occasionally due to the high amounts of nutrients it contains


Green Cabbage, Locally Grown, 1 Head

A single head of locally grown green cabbage. Whether you stuff the leaves with a rich, tomatoey filling or shred them into thin strips for farm-fresh coleslaw, this nutrient-dense vegetable does not disappoint.

Green cabbage is high in vitamins K, C, and B6.

Pros
  • Provides your bearded dragon with many nutrients and vitamins.
  • Is high in fiber as well as other important minerals such as potassium, manganese, calcium, iron etc.

Cons
  • Can only be eaten occasionally due to the high amounts of nutrients it contains.

Buyer’s Guide

BEST GREENS FOR BEARDED DRAGONS

Bearded dragons are omnivores. They should be fed insects, vegetables and other greens to meet their nutritional requirements for optimum health. Bearded Dragons need calcium in order to grow strong bones that will protect them from injury or fracture. Insects provide unnecessary protein while green leafy veggies offer vital trace minerals like chromium, cobalt and nickel.

Bearded Dragons love to eat greens and they should be the staple of their diet, providing up to 50% or more of what you feed them daily. You can offer your Bearded Dragon a variety of different greens to make sure he gets all the essential nutrients his body needs for growth and health. If one green is low in a certain nutrient that is important to your Bearded Dragon, just offer a variety of greens.

Overall nutritional value

Overall nutritional value

Bearded dragons are omnivores, so the overall nutritional value of greens is important.

Leafy green vegetables have fiber and calcium for healthy digestion.

Dark green leafies like mustard greens also contain vitamin A in the form of beta carotene which your bearded dragon can convert to vitamin D with sunlight.

Be sure to rinse leafy greens well before feeding. Sand and grit can cling to the leaves, so it’s important to tear or chop them into smaller pieces that are easy for your bearded dragon to eat.

Calcium content of greens

Collard Greens have about 0.51 mg/g of calcium, so if your dragon eats 100 g it will get 51 mg of calcium. That’s not a lot because the usual dose for an adult is around 60 to 80 grams per day.

Mustard Greens contain more than two times as much calcium, with about 0.94 mg/g of calcium per 100 g serving.

Turnip Greens contain even more at around 0.97mg/g of calcium per 100 grams for one average sized turnip green leaf. So if your dragon eats 100 grams it will get 97 mg of calcium which is a good dose because the adults should eat about 60 to 80 grams per day.

Kale has a calcium content of around 0.49 mg/g, so 100 g will provide 49 mg or calcium which is almost as much as Collard Greens with only 50% more than Mustard Greens and Turnip greens combined! If your dragon eats one whole kale leaf it will get around 60mg of calcium which is a good daily dose because the adults should eat about 60 to 80 grams per day.

Calcium to phosphorus ratio in greens:

  • Collard Greens: 0.25 – 0.27
  • Turnip Greens: 0.64 – 0.94
  • Mustard Greens: 0.58 – 0.62

Fiber content of green vegetables are all very low, but they are high in oxalate which can cause toxicity when too many are consumed.

Oxalates and Oils

Bearded dragons eat greens and vegetables. There is a lot of information about which ones to feed them. Oxalates can be found in different vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat products and other foods. They can also be found naturally in your body.

Goitrogens & Lectins

Goitrogens are naturally occurring substances that can interfere with the function of your pet’s thyroid gland. For example, kale is high in goitrogenic compounds, which means it should be fed sparingly (once or twice per week) to bearded dragons who have a history of hypothyroidism or other thyroid issues. It is also important that their food and water dishes are kept clean at all times to prevent the growth of infectious bacteria.

Goitrogens & Lectins

Lectins can cause gastrointestinal upset in some animals, so it’s best not to feed them uncooked legumes such as beans or soybeans more than once a week. Too much raw cruciferous veggies such as cabbage, kale, broccoli and cauliflower can also cause problems for your pet.

BEST GREENS BEARDED DRAGONS CAN EAT: DAILY STAPLES

Collard Greens – Cabbage – Mustard Greens

Turnip Greens – Kale – Dandelion Green

Cactus pad, or prickly pear

the most popular greens for Bearded Dragons. It’s also a cactus which means it can be prickly, so watch your pet when they are trying to eat them! Crickets and silkworms are both high in protein but should not be fed too often since their exoskeleton could cause blockages.

Collard greens

This is a great leafy green and favorite of many bearded dragons. It’s high in calcium and vitamin A, as well as carotenoids which help to bring out the yellow color on their scales during breeding season!

Dandelion leaves

Treats can be given to dragons in moderation, but it is important not to overdo. A snack of dandelion leaves provides fiber and calcium for healthy skin and bones. The light green color indicates high levels of beta-carotene, an orange pigment the body converts into vitamin A. Dandelions are also rich in potassium and iron.

Dandelions can be collected from your yard, but care should be taken to ensure the plants have not been treated with pesticides or fertilizers—or eaten by your dog! Baby leaves are smaller in size and easier for dragons to digest than mature ones. They also tend to taste sweeter when young. If you choose to feed dandelion leaves from your yard, be sure to wash them thoroughly before serving.

Fresh grass is another treat enjoyed by bearded dragons and can usually be found in the produce section of most grocery stores. Look for a bright green color with no brown spots or yellowing at the tips—signs that it may have been sitting out too long.

Fresh grass is packed with vitamins and nutrients, but it can also contain bacteria such as E Coli! Be sure to wash any fresh greens before serving them to your dragon.

Endive or escarole

They are best served steamed.

Endive or escaroleDark, leafy greens are the most valuable to feed your dragon.

Mustard greens

Mustard greens are a staple of the bearded dragon diet. They provide plenty of Vitamin A, calcium and antioxidants to keep your pet healthy. It’s also high in fiber which aids digestion for healthier skin. Mustard green is great as part of a varied salad or cooked into casseroles, soups or other dishes your beardie will enjoy.

Turnip greens

Turnip greens offer a very high amount of calcium, as well as many other nutrients. It is best to feed your bearded dragon turnip green once or twice per week for optimum health and digestion.

OCCASIONAL STAPLES

Bearded dragons are omnivores and eat a variety of plants.

Bok choy

Bok choy is a leafy green vegetable that can be fed to bearded dragons.
It’s high in calcium and full of vitamins A, B-complex, C, E , K and minerals like phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. As with most greens it contains no protein or fat which makes bok choy ideal for your dragon`s diet.

Bok choy can be fed to bearded dragons daily and they will consume the entire plant, leaves and stalk included. When bok choy is first harvested it has a very strong smell but after about an hour or two that odor dissipates, making it perfect for feeding to your dragon straight from the garden.

Basil

Though basil may sound like an exotic plant, it’s a common ingredient in many Italian dishes. It has been used for centuries as a medicinal herb to treat coughs and cold symptoms. In addition, basil is thought to have antibacterial properties that can help fight infections. The best part about this green? Basil makes the perfect salad topping.

Cabbage, napa

This cabbage, and bok choy are examples of non-greens that have good calcium to phosphorus ratios.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BEARDED DRAGON WON’T EAT GREENS

If you have followed all the steps in this guide and your bearded dragon is still refusing greens, or if he is only eating them occasionally, there are a few things that can be done. First of all make sure that everything that was said above has been tried before trying these options.

Make absolutely certain they aren’t just playing with their food. Many owners make the mistake of giving greens to dragons that are not hungry.

If your bearded dragon continues to refuse greens, try feeding him something juicer such as an orange or a grape. If he still won’t eat the green food you can also offer him some leafy greens that are not typically offered in salads (ex: dandelion leaves). If these things don’t work, try offering him some vegetables instead of greens.

If your bearded dragon continues to refuse any and all veggies and fruits you can also try feeding him cooked sweet potatoes or yams (boiled or baked without salt) mixed with calcium powder for about a week before resuming the grasses in his diet.

HOW TO SERVE GREENS TO YOUR BEARDED DRAGON

When it comes to greens, there are two types of bearded dragons. When you have a young beardie who is on his or her way to adulthood, you should provide them with smaller portions of the greens since they need less nutrients than adults do. However, when your dragon has reached its full adult size and body mass then feeding him/her with larger portions of greens is essential.

There are a variety of vegetables and fruits that you can serve for your bearded dragon, but there are several types which would be the best to use as their staple diet. Here’s some examples: collard greens, dandelion leaves, mustard greens, turnip tops or roots (yes! They can actually eat the root of turnips), kale and there are more.

HOW TO SERVE GREENS TO YOUR BEARDED DRAGON

You should also consider serving them with some other types such as fruits like berries, apples or pineapples. Vegetables that you can feed your beardie would be carrots (but only occasionally since too much carrot in their diet is not good for them). If they don`t like to eat fruits, you can always serve them with some leaves of lettuce. Just make sure that the food items are fresh because old or rotten foods would be harmful to their health!


FAQs

What greens do bearded dragons like the most?

Bearded dragons love a variety of greens, but some are more popular than others. Here is a list to get you started: Collard Greens Kale Turnip Tops Mustard Green Beet Greens Dandelion Greens Romaine Lettuce Watercress Arugula Escarole English Cress Endive Chicory Swiss

What greens are bad for bearded dragons?

Be careful about using iceberg lettuce. Although it is commonly fed to reptiles, there are a variety of reasons why you should avoid feeding this type of lettuce. The main reason being that the high water content makes for a poor nutrient value and provides no benefit as a food source for your pet lizard. Other lettuces such as Romaine or leaf lettuce are a better option.

Avoid spinach as it contains high levels of oxalic acid which can lead to kidney stones and other health issues for your lizard. Spinach also has a large amount of calcium in the leaves, so if you feed too much you will end up with excess calcium that can cause metabolic bone disease (MBD).

What is a bearded dragon’s favorite vegetable?

Greens!

Bearded dragons are herbivores, meaning they eat mostly vegetation.

Can bearded dragons eat green beans everyday?

It is generally safe for bearded dragons to eat green beans.  However, it’s important to note that green beans are high in carbohydrate load and the diet should consist of other vegetables as well.

Can Beardies eat spinach?

Yes, bearded dragons can eat spinach.  Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that’s low in fat and high in calcium.

Useful Video: What Veggies I Feed My Bearded Dragon !! | Daily Reptile Routine

Conclusion

When it comes to greens, variety is key. You should be certain that your dragon`s diet includes multiple different types of fresh vegetables and fruit in order for them to get all the nutrients they need. Feeding your bearded dragon bad produce can lead to nutritional deficiencies which could damage their health over time.