Sulcata Tortoise

Jerusalem Artichoke

Monthly or less

Henbit

2–3×/week

Hawkweed

2–3×/week

Hawthorn Leaves

2–3×/week

Green Beans

Weekly or less

Radicchio

2–3×/week

Acorn Squash

Monthly or less

Butternut Squash

Monthly or less

Butterhead Lettuce

Treat only

Arugula

Weekly or less

Cucumber

Treat only

Violet Leaves

2–3×/week

Beet Greens

Avoid

White Clover

Offer as a supplemental forage item 2-3 times per week, not as the primary food source; rotate with other grasses and broadleaf weeds.

Marigold

2–3×/week

Geranium

2–3×/week

Common Daisy

Daily

Stinging Nettles (dried or cooked)

2–3×/week

Kale

Once per week maximum, very small amount. Not a staple.

Spinach

Avoid or absolute maximum once per month, tiny amount.

Broccoli

Once per week maximum, small amount.

Watermelon

Avoid or once monthly maximum.

Cilantro

Weekly

Collard Greens

1–2 times per week, small portion alongside hay.

Mustard Greens

1–2 times per week, small amount.

Petunia

2–3×/week

Pansy

Weekly

Alfalfa

2–3×/week

Aquatic Turtle Pellets

Do not feed

Blackberries

Avoid

Butternut Squash

Avoid or extremely rare trace amount

Anacharis

Avoid

Blueberries

Avoid

Carrot

Avoid

Duckweed

Avoid

Feeder Fish

Do not feed

Mealworms

Do not feed

Romaine Lettuce

Avoid

Apple

Avoid; fruit is not appropriate for Sulcata tortoises

Bell Pepper

Avoid

Bok Choy

Avoid

Earthworms

Do not feed

Fig

Avoid

Papaya

Avoid

Raspberries

Avoid

Sweet Potato

Avoid

Water Hyacinth

Avoid

Zucchini

Avoid

Crickets

Do not feed; Sulcata tortoises are strict herbivores

Mango

Avoid

Pear

Avoid

Swiss Chard

Avoid

Water Lettuce

Avoid

Lamb's Quarters

Offer only occasionally as a minor component of a varied diet — no more than once every 2–3 weeks and in small amounts mixed with low-oxalate greens.

Basil

Weekly

Dill

Weekly

Parsley

Weekly at most

Purslane

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

Honeysuckle

Weekly

Cleavers

2–3×/week

Boston Fern

Cress

Weekly or less

Common Mallow

Daily

Dandelion Greens

Offer 3–4 times per week as a supplement to hay.

Hibiscus Flowers

A few flowers 1–2 times per week.

Broadleaf Plantain

Offer as part of varied salad mix.

Mulberry Leaves

Offer 2–3 times per week.

Clover

Offer as part of a mixed grazing area.

Rose Petals

Occasional treat. Pesticide-free only.

Endive

Supplement to grass — a few times per week.

Opuntia Cactus Pads

Offer 2–3 times per week.

Timothy Hay

Staple — unrestricted access. Always available.

Bermuda Grass

Staple — graze freely in outdoor enclosures.

Orchard Grass Hay

Staple — mix with timothy hay for variety.

Grape Leaves

Offer 1–2 times per week. Leaves only.

Nasturtium

Weekly

Lamb's Lettuce

2–3×/week

Snake Plant

None — should not be offered at any quantity

ZZ Plant

null

Rubber Plant

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Bell Peppers

Grapes

Foxglove

Buttercup

Wood Sorrel

Should be avoided entirely; no safe serving amount is established for Sulcata tortoises.

Philodendron

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Peace Lily

Should not be offered at any quantity — avoid entirely.

Neon Pothos

null

Monstera

Should not be offered; avoid entirely.

Jade Plant

None — should not be offered at any quantity

Prickly Pear Fruit

Frozen Bloodworms

Avoid

Dieffenbachia

None — zero tolerance; no safe quantity exists

Rhubarb

Chinese Evergreen

Should not be offered at any quantity — considered toxic and must be avoided entirely.

Aloe Vera

Should not be offered at any quantity; avoid entirely.

Dracaena

None — should be excluded from the diet entirely.

Pothos

Should not be offered at any quantity; remove from any enclosure accessible to the tortoise.

Persimmon

Avoid

Waxworms

Avoid

Figs

Avoid

Cantaloupe

Never

Dubia Roaches

Avoid

Silkworms

Avoid

Tilapia

Should never be offered — not appropriate for any life stage of a sulcata tortoise.

Garden Snails

Avoid

Tubifex Worms

Avoid

Avocado

Banana

Peach

Strawberries

Oleander

Daffodil

Nightshade

Spider Plant

Elodea

Avoid

Hornwort

Avoid