Basking

Can Painted Turtles eat Common Mallow?

Chrysemys picta · Malva sylvestris

Safe

2–3×/week (adults)

USDA database

Tortoise Trust notes aquatic plants and salad are appropriate for painted turtles. Mallow is a safe, nutritious leafy green for the plant portion of adult Painted Turtle diet, though protein foods take precedence for juveniles.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Safe

2–3×/week (adults)

OmnivorePlantLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

Tortoise Trust notes aquatic plants and salad are appropriate for painted turtles. Mallow is a safe, nutritious leafy green for the plant portion of adult Painted Turtle diet, though protein foods take precedence for juveniles.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

2–3×/week (adults)

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw common mallow

185mg

Calcium

112mg

Phosphorus

1.7:1

Ca:P ratio

Low

Oxalate

9.4g

Protein

2g

Fiber

Backed by sources

Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026

Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.

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