6. Plants

A common question in millipede-keeping is what, if any, plants can be kept in the same terrarium as millipedes. It is of course important to remember that the introduction of anything that might require higher than usual light levels is apt to drive the millipedes themselves underground with greater frequency except in a few circumstances, and therefore this should be considered before the addition of plants is made. It is also very important to ensure that all plants added to the enclosure are free of any "cides", and are not in of themselves poisonous; it is a common myth that millipedes will not eat things harmful to them, but repeated losses of specimens to Carya and Jugulans wood and leaves roundly proves this is untrue.

A non-exhaustive list of plants that have been successfully kept with millipedes and which's requirements are not outside the range of what most millipedes can tolerate include Schefflera sp., Dracaena sp., Epipremnum aureum, Tradescantia zebrina, Anthurium sp., Hedera helix, Cryptanthus bivittatus, Asparagus aethiopicus/densiflorus, Nephrolepis exaltata, Philodendron sp., Ficus sp., Fittonia sp., Heptapleurum actinophyllum, Hypoestes sp., Marcgravia sp., Monstera sp., and Rhaphidophora sp. All of these plants need to be established prior to millipedes being added to the enclosure, as otherwise the new plants can be bulldozed or eaten to a degree that they cannot recover from early on. A few Philodendron sp. seems to be preferred eating for some millipede species and may not last long even when established in the enclosure. Chlorophytum colosum is another plant that is non-toxic but its roots tend to spread so rapidly that it takes over the substrate, impeding the burrowing capabilities of millipedes detrimentally. Bamboo (true bamboo, not Dracaena sanderiana, also known as lucky bamboo) of various kinds seems to be for the most part safe for millipedes, though its rapid growth may pose problems for enthusiasts keeping it in small enclosures.

Schlumbergera, a common houseplant, has been kept with millipedes but is usually rapidly consumed and has been tied to causing the deaths of specimens in a few instances, and is therefore best kept away from millipedes. Cacti and succulents in general are to be avoided due to their conflicting care requirements and the threat their spines pose to millipedes. Most carnivorous plants should be avoided for both their predatory nature and the fact that they can only survive in nutrient poor soil, the opposite of what millipedes typically live in. The vast majority of ferns and mosses do poorly in terraria in general, and in the case of millipedes are rapidly consumed (especially true of mosses), and are therefore not recommended for keeping with millipedes.