Russian Tortoise

Beet Greens

Avoid

Collard Greens

Occasionally; part of varied greens mix; not more than weekly

Earthworms

Do not feed

Fig

Avoid or only trace amounts rarely

Mustard Greens

Occasionally; part of varied greens mix; not more than weekly

Pear

Rarely; tiny piece a few times per year

Romaine Lettuce

Rarely; small amount as minor variety only

Water Hyacinth

Avoid

Mango

Avoid

Sweet Potato

Avoid

Water Lettuce

Avoid

Feeder Fish

Do not feed

Mealworms

Do not feed

Papaya

Avoid

Raspberries

Rarely; 1–2 berries a few times per year

Ribwort Plantain

Can be offered several times per week in moderate amounts as part of a diverse weed-based diet; avoid making it the sole or dominant food source.

Carrot

Rarely; small piece a few times per year

Cleavers

2–3×/week

Boston Fern

Lamb's Quarters

Offer only occasionally as a minor component of a varied salad — no more than once every 2–3 weeks in small amounts.

Henbit

2–3×/week

Hawkweed

2–3×/week

Hawthorn Leaves

2–3×/week

Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked)

2–3×/week

Violet Leaves

2–3×/week

Purslane

Offer occasionally as a minor dietary supplement, no more than once or twice per month, and never as a dietary staple.

White Clover

Offer as part of a varied diet no more than 2-3 times per week; avoid feeding as a staple or primary food source.

Crickets

Do not feed; Russian tortoises are strict herbivores

Alfalfa

2–3×/week

Acorn Squash

Weekly

Arugula

2–3×/week max

Butterhead Lettuce

Treat only

Cucumber

Treat only

Radicchio

2–3×/week

Green Beans

Weekly or less

Butternut Squash

Weekly

Prickly Pear Fruit

Monthly or less

Figs

Once or twice monthly

Cantaloupe

Rarely / once a month or less

Pansy

Weekly

Jerusalem Artichoke

Weekly or less

Cress

2–3×/week

Parsley

Weekly at most

Dill

Weekly

Basil

Weekly

Marigold

Daily

Petunia

2–3×/week

Common Daisy

Daily

Honeysuckle

2–3×/week

Cilantro

Weekly

Geranium

2–3×/week

Kale

Occasional — no more than once per week, small quantity. Do not use as a staple green.

Spinach

Very rarely — once per month maximum, small amounts. Not recommended as a regular food.

Swiss Chard

Occasional only — once per week maximum, in small quantities mixed with low-oxalate greens.

Turnip Greens

Once per week or less, small quantity. Rotate with non-goitrogenic greens.

Bok Choy

Occasional — once per week maximum, small amount.

Broccoli

Once per week maximum, small florets. Not a staple.

Strawberries

Very occasional treat — one or two small pieces, once or twice per month.

Watermelon

Very rare treat — a small piece once per month, if at all. Not a substitute for a water dish.

Duckweed

Avoid

Anacharis

Avoid

Apple

Rarely; tiny piece a few times per year at most

Blackberries

Rarely; 1–2 berries a few times per year at most

Aquatic Turtle Pellets

Do not feed

Bell Pepper

Avoid or only trace amounts very rarely

Blueberries

Rarely; 1–2 berries a few times per year

Broadleaf Plantain

Staple — use freely in rotation with dandelion.

Dandelion Greens

Staple — offer freely as part of the daily salad mix.

Mulberry Leaves

Offer occasionally — up to twice per week.

Common Mallow

Daily

Grape Leaves

Offer occasionally. Leaves only — not the fruit.

Hibiscus Flowers

Treat / enrichment — a few flowers 1–2 times per week.

Rose Petals

Occasional treat. Pesticide-free only.

Ribwort Plantain

Staple — rotate freely with broadleaf plantain and dandelion.

Endive

Staple — include freely. Available from most grocery stores when wild plants are scarce.

Chicory

Offer 2–3 times per week as part of salad mix.

Opuntia Cactus Pads

Offer 2–3 times per week. An excellent dietary anchor alongside leafy weeds.

Lamb's Lettuce

Daily

Nasturtium

2–3×/week

Clover

Offer freely as part of a varied wild-plant mix. Not the sole food.

Dieffenbachia

null

Dracaena

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Grapes

Tilapia

Should never be offered — not a suitable food item for Russian Tortoises under any circumstances.

Neon Pothos

null

Philodendron

Should not be offered at any quantity — avoid entirely.

Pothos

null

Banana

Peach

Persimmon

Avoid

Waxworms

Avoid

Snake Plant

Should not be offered at any quantity — avoid entirely.

Rubber Plant

None — avoid entirely.

Wood Sorrel

Should be avoided entirely; no safe quantity has been established for Russian Tortoises given the known oxalate toxicity mechanism.

Monstera

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Peace Lily

Should not be offered at any quantity — avoid entirely.

Dubia Roaches

Avoid

Aloe Vera

Should not be offered; no safe quantity established for this species.

Rhubarb

Buttercup

Foxglove

Nightshade

Daffodil

Oleander

Chinese Evergreen

null

Avocado

Do not feed; toxic

Silkworms

Avoid

Bell Peppers

Jade Plant

None — should not be offered at any quantity.

Garden Snails

Avoid

ZZ Plant

null

Frozen Bloodworms

Avoid

Tubifex Worms

Avoid

Spider Plant

Elodea

Avoid

Hornwort

Avoid