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Sulcata tortoises (*Centrochelys sulcata*) can eat many grasses, grass hays, weeds, leaves and flowers, but grasses and hay should form the foundation of their diet. Suitable variety examples named in sulcata care guidance include dandelion, plantain, clover, sow thistle, chickweed, hibiscus leaves and flowers, mulberry leaves, and opuntia cactus pads. Feed only plants you can positively identify and know have not been exposed to pesticides or herbicides.
Make grasses and hay the foundation
Sulcatas are grazing herbivores. Royal Veterinary Center’s care sheet lists grasses and grass hays as staple foods, including safe lawn grasses, orchard grass, timothy grass, Bermuda grass and meadow hay. Tortoise Protection Group likewise describes a high-fibre diet based on grasses and hay.
Fresh grazing is one option when the area is safe and the grass is correctly identified. Cut grass or hay can provide forage when fresh grazing is limited. In either case, keep chemical exposure, cleanliness, freshness and your tortoise’s individual husbandry plan in mind. These sources support the forage options but do not establish a tested brand ranking.
Plants to offer as variety
The plants below are examples named in care guidance, not a complete global inventory or a reason to replace grass with broadleaf foods. Common names can refer to different species, so verify the plant’s identity and the part you intend to feed.
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- High fiber level and Low Starch - Grass hay based diet.
- Contains vitamins A and vitamin E - For eye and skin health.
- Contains live probiotics - Helps support gastrointestinal health.
- No artificial colors.
- Best for arid-zone and grassland herbivorous tortoises and lizards such as the Aldabra, African Spurred/Sulcata, Desert, Egyptian, Galapagos, Gopher, Greek, Leopard, Pancake, Radiated or Yellow-Footed tortoise, as well as Chuckwalla and Uromastyx lizards.
| Forage type | Examples | How to use them |
|---|---|---|
| Grasses and hay | Safe lawn grasses, orchard grass, timothy grass, Bermuda grass, meadow hay | Use as the dietary foundation. Hay is a practical forage option when fresh grass is limited. |
| Weeds and broadleaf forage | Dandelion, broad- and narrow-leaf plantain, clover, sow thistle, chickweed | Offer as variety only when positively identified and sourced from an area free of pesticides and herbicides. |
| Leaves and flowers | Hibiscus leaves and flowers; mulberry leaves | Use as additions to variety rather than substitutes for grass. |
| Succulent forage | Opuntia cactus pads | Confirm the cactus is opuntia and remove hazardous spines before offering. |
How to decide whether a plant is safe
- Identify the plant precisely. Do not rely on a common name, resemblance, or a generic online list. Check the scientific identity and the specific plant part.
- Check how it was grown. Use only forage known to be free of pesticide and herbicide exposure. Avoid plants from treated lawns, roadsides or other places where chemical history is unknown.
- Keep the diet grass-centered. A plant appearing on a general greens list does not make it a sulcata staple. Species-specific guidance emphasizes grasses and hay; use other identified plants for variety.
- Get help when uncertain. Ask an experienced exotic-animal veterinarian or a specialist plant-safety resource before feeding an unfamiliar plant. WWF also advises checking a captive sulcata’s diet with a veterinarian.
Tortoise Group cautions that tortoises may not distinguish toxic plants from safe ones. Do not assume an animal will avoid a dangerous plant if it is growing in its enclosure or yard. If a tortoise has eaten an uncertain plant and shows abnormal behavior or mouth irritation, seek prompt veterinary advice.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why “every safe plant” lists need limits
No single starter list can establish that every plant is safe in every region. Plant names vary, and safety depends on correct species identification, the plant part, and chemical exposure. The examples here are supported by care guidance, not a comprehensive authoritative toxic-plant database. Broad greens lists may include items that narrower sulcata-specific guidance does not emphasize; a possible green should not be presented as a staple or as universally agreed upon.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- High fiber level, low starch - Stimulates natural diets and supports digestion
- Supports eye and skin health - Contains vitamins A and E
- Designed for young tortoises - Smaller extruded particles than Mazuri's other tortoise diets
- Supports gastric health - Contains live probiotic cultures
- Great option for many types of baby tortoises - Including Burmese, Indian star, elongated, red-footed, Aldabra, African spurred and sulcata, Russian, desert, Egyptian, Galápagos, gopher, Greek, leopard, pancake, and radiated tortoises
Rank #4
- Best Fed To: Mazuri Tortoise food is best for tropical and omnivorous tortoises, such as the Burmese or Indian Star Tortoise, Elongated Tortoise, Red-footed Tortoise, Adult Box Turtles and Wood Turtles.
- Great taste & highly palatable, large particle. Great nutrition for your tortoise.
- Great for tropical and forest tortoises. Moderate protein and energy to meet the needs of omnivorous species
- Watch your pet thrive with wholesome nutrition. Plus, this tortoise feed contains no added colors or artificial flavors.
- Antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin A. To help support the immune system and eye health.
Rank #3
- Formulated for Russian, Greek, Sulcata, Leopard and Pancake Tortoises.
- Added vitamins and minerals
- No artificial colors or preservatives
Rank #2
- Tortoises need hay as part of a healthy diet
- Second-cut hay which is rich in proteins and vitamins
- Hand-packaged to avoid sticks and branches in your pet's food
- Feed daily to support your tortoise's dietary needs
Sources and scope
- Royal Veterinary Center, “Sulcata Tortoise (African Spurred Tortoise) Care Sheet Macau” lists grass and hay options; its publication or revision date is not established.
- Tortoise Protection Group, “TPG Geochelone Sulcata”, dated May 2008, describes a high-fibre grass-and-hay foundation and gives weed and plant examples.
- Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center, “Sulcata Tortoise Care” identifies hay as part of care guidance; its publication or revision date is not established.
- Tortoise Group, “Plants” warns that tortoises may not avoid toxic plants.
- Merck Veterinary Manual, “Nutrition in Tortoises” provides general tortoise nutrition context and was fully reviewed in September 2025.
- World Wide Fund for Nature, “Do African Sulcata Tortoises Make Good Pets?” describes grass-and-hay feeding with some weeds and flowers and advises veterinary guidance.
- ReptiFiles, “Sulcata Tortoise Care Sheet” offers a broader starter greens list and directs readers to plant-safety resources for enclosure plants.
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