Low Light Plants for Newts?

[froggybean]

Hello! I'm looking into getting some marbled newts (Terrestial) and I wanted to do a planted tank. What are some good low light plants that would do well in my tank? I'm planning on putting them into a 55g long (48x12x20inches) with a screen mesh top if that matters. Substrate is going to be coconut fiber and Zilla jungle mix. Thank you!

 

[John]

I will assume you will have some light, rather than no light. Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana) is hard to kill and a good recommendation for newts to lay eggs. Beyond that, I don't think there's a bunch that will survive for long without some kind of light.

 

[froggybean]

Thank you! It was worth a shot, haha. I do have some fern, ribbed bog, and spagnum moss growing as well. As those also good options, or should I stick to the java moss for its hardiness?

 

[Igneous]

If you have a minimal light source, even a desklight or something, there are quite a lot of possibilities.
As John pointed out mosses are great, outdoors they don't need a lot of light, indoors however they do require some sort of artificial lightning to thrive. Java moss is an option, but there are other species you could use. In most cases just check your backyard or nearby parc.
Also, strictly not a moss, but perhaps Selaginella uncinata is something for you?

As you said yourself, ferns will also work great. They do well in shaded areas and only require a moist and slightly accidic soil.
You could also add some grasses from the acorus genus. Acorus gramineus for example. Or maybe Ophiopogon japonicus, which is another type of grass.

 

[Herpin Man]

Not having much of a green thumb, I have endured a great deal of trial and error in figuring out what plants will do best in a salamander vivarium. I recommend the following:
- Pothos, there are many different varieties
- wandering jew
- spider plants
- heart leaf philodendron
- English ivy
- Grape ivy

In a vivarium setting, it is much easier to kill plants by overwatering, than underwatering. The last two are especially sensitive to overwatering.
I feed my newts in the evening. Just before I throw the prey in, I mist the tank well with a pump sprayer. I rarely water the plants otherwise, except when the substrate feels very dry (or if the plants start to wilt).