Can Sulcata Tortoises eat Chinese Evergreen?
Aglaonema commutatum
Safety verdict
Toxic
Why
[confidence: high] [source: The Tortoise Table plant database, ASPCA Toxic Plant List, and exotic reptile veterinarian review specializing in chelonians.] Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema spp.) contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense oral irritation, swelling, and gastrointestinal distress in tortoises. Sulcata tortoises, as strict herbivores, are particularly vulnerable to calcium oxalate-laden plants as they can also disrupt calcium metabolism critical for shell and bone health.
How much / how often
Should not be offered at any quantity — considered toxic and must be avoided entirely.
Preparation
No preparation method renders this plant safe for Sulcata tortoises; avoid all contact with the plant.
Reviewed by admin on May 2026