Basking

Can Painted Turtles eat Nasturtium?

Chrysemys picta · Tropaeolum majus

Safe

Weekly

USDA database

Tortoise Trust confirms aquatic plants and salad greens are appropriate for painted turtles. Nasturtium's favorable Ca:P ratio of 2:1 and low protein make it a suitable plant matter addition for adults, whose diet shifts toward a higher proportion of vegetation over time.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Safe

Weekly

OmnivoreVegetableLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

Tortoise Trust confirms aquatic plants and salad greens are appropriate for painted turtles. Nasturtium's favorable Ca:P ratio of 2:1 and low protein make it a suitable plant matter addition for adults, whose diet shifts toward a higher proportion of vegetation over time.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

Weekly

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw nasturtium

120mg

Calcium

60mg

Phosphorus

2.0:1

Ca:P ratio

Low

Oxalate

2.3g

Protein

0.5g

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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