Painted Turtle

Persimmon

Avoid

Basil

Weekly

Dill

Weekly

Parsley

Weekly at most

Cress

Weekly

Jerusalem Artichoke

Weekly or less

Prickly Pear Fruit

Monthly or less

Violet Leaves

Weekly

Peach

Monthly or less

Green Beans

Weekly

Radicchio

2–3×/week

Elodea

Daily

Banana

Monthly or less

Bell Peppers

Weekly or less

Arugula

2–3×/week

Butterhead Lettuce

Weekly or less

Butternut Squash

Weekly

Acorn Squash

Weekly

Grapes

Monthly or less

Dubia Roaches

2–3×/week for juveniles; weekly for adults

Tubifex Worms

More frequently for juveniles; occasional for adults

Hornwort

Daily

Beet Greens

Avoid or maximum once per month, small amount.

Bermuda Grass

Avoid; not appropriate for aquatic turtle diet

Timothy Hay

Avoid; not appropriate for aquatic turtle

Orchard Grass Hay

Avoid; not appropriate for aquatic turtle

Swiss Chard

Rarely; small amount; rotate with low-oxalate greens

Frozen Bloodworms

Daily (juveniles/hatchlings); 2–3×/week (adults)

Mealworms

Once per week maximum, small number. Not a staple protein source.

Spinach

Avoid or maximum once per month, small amount.

Cilantro

Weekly

Marigold

Weekly

Silkworms

2–3×/week (juveniles); Weekly (adults)

Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked)

Weekly

Cucumber

Weekly or less

Common Daisy

Weekly

Kale

Once per week maximum.

Apple

Small piece occasionally as treat

Garden Snails

Occasionally (1–2×/month)

Boston Fern

Waxworms

Occasionally — no more than monthly

Cantaloupe

Rarely / occasional

Figs

Occasionally, once or twice monthly

Honeysuckle

Weekly

Dandelion Greens

Adults: daily greens offering. Juveniles: daily alongside protein.

Endive

Include regularly in plant rotation.

Duckweed

Can be kept live in tank and grazed freely.

Water Lettuce

Continuous access.

Earthworms

Juveniles: 2–3 times per week. Adults: once per week.

Feeder Fish

Once or twice per week for adults.

Blueberries

A few pieces 1–2 times per week.

Aquatic Turtle Pellets

Juveniles: daily, 2–3 pellets per inch of shell. Adults: every 2–3 days.

Collard Greens

Adults: 2–3 times per week. Juveniles: daily or every other day.

Mustard Greens

Adults: 2–3 times per week. Juveniles: offer alongside other greens.

Romaine Lettuce

Offer freely as an easy-to-accept green. Mix with higher-nutrition greens.

Anacharis

Keep live in tank for continuous grazing.

Water Hyacinth

Float in tank as an occasional grazing option.

Crickets

Juveniles: twice per week. Adults: once per week.

Pansy

Weekly

Common Mallow

2–3×/week (adults)

Alfalfa

Weekly

Petunia

Weekly

Nasturtium

Weekly

Lamb's Lettuce

2–3×/week

Geranium

Weekly

Nightshade

Buttercup

Daffodil

ZZ Plant

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Wood Sorrel

Should be avoided entirely; no safe quantity has been established for Painted Turtles.

Neon Pothos

None — do not offer under any circumstances.

Snake Plant

None — do not feed to painted turtles.

Pothos

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Philodendron

None — avoid entirely; no safe serving threshold established for this species.

Monstera

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Avocado

Dieffenbachia

null

Rhubarb

Peace Lily

null

Chinese Evergreen

null

Rubber Plant

Should not be offered; avoid entirely.

Jade Plant

None — should not be offered at any quantity

Oleander

Do not feed; highly toxic

Foxglove

Do not feed; toxic

Dracaena

Do not feed — avoid entirely

Aloe Vera

Should be avoided entirely; no safe quantity is established for Painted Turtles.

Henbit

Hawthorn Leaves

Cleavers

Hawkweed

Spider Plant