In the previous post, we have discussed setting up lighting in bearded dragon’s vivarium and importance of humidity. Read the post to learn about the best lights for your bearded dragon and rules for setups.
In this post, we will talk about an exciting part of the terrarium setup – adding furniture, decor, hide boxes, accessories and plants!
Your bearded dragon needs a variety of different accessories and pieces of furniture for effective basking, relaxation, cooling, hiding, climbing and other activities!
Branches, rocks or platforms for a bearded dragon’s tank
Placing one big branch or few in bearded dragon’s terrarium is very important. Bearded dragons are semi-arboreal and like climbing branches, fences and rocks for basking. However, around 70% or the terrarium should have an open space for walking and other accessories.
If you don’t add any type of a platform, the terrarium will look empty and unattractive. It will also not give your bearded dragon a spot to climb, exercise, and bask just like they do in the wild.
What is more, adding a platform or branch will help your bearded dragon get closer to the basking light. Choose one or two branches, depending on the size of the terrarium.
At least one of them should be under the basking light. If you have few beardies in the vivarium, each beardie should get a branch. Make sure that a branch cannot fall over and crush your dragon.
The best types of wood branches for your bearded dragon’s terrarium
The best types of branches for your bearded dragon’s tank that you can find for sale are grapewood branches like this, oak, maple, driftwood, lilac, Mopani wood, fruit trees and willow. You can use almost anything that is not toxic.
Make sure not to choose any branches that are toxic to your bearded dragon, for example conifers – pine trees, cedar, yew, juniper, cypress, spruce, redwood and others. To be safe, choose the branches that are considered safe for your bearded dragon.
A platform or rock for basking
Another option or two that you might choose for your bearded dragon’s basking spot is a platform or a rock. 
However, a platform shouldn’t replace a branch or a rock, as these accessories create a naturalistic environment for your bearded dragon. Creating more than one basking spot/platform site is good for your bearded dragon. It is important to have one basking spot for each bearded dragon that you have in a terrarium.
A good addition is a rock platform like this, which your bearded dragon can climb on for basking or can even go underneath for resting or even hiding. A rock platform can go on the side of the terrarium or in a corner.
You can also get a flat rock like this that your bearded dragon will lay on for basking. Place it right under the basking light.
If you are bringing your own rock that you have collected, make sure to check it for any sharp edges and disinfect it.
Bearded dragon tank branch from outside – how to clean and disinfect?
Before placing a branch into bearded dragon’s terrarium, you must sanitize it. There are two ways to disinfect a branch that you bought or collected.
If you have bought one, bake the branch in the foil for half an hour to 50 minutes in the oven at 230 F (110 Celsius).
With branches that you have collected from the woods, you must clean them more thoroughly. After collecting the branch, bring it home and remove the dirt, and any bugs that are visible. You can even remove the bark, which will help to get rid of most bugs. After that, wash the branch with soapy water.
And finally, disinfect the branch by soaking it in a tub filled with a bleach solution. To make a bleach solution, mix 1 part bleach with 8 part of water. Soak the branch for 20 minutes and them rinse it thoroughly many times to wash off the bleach. After washing off the bleach, leave the branch to dry and then add it to the terrarium.
Baking collected rocks might not be the best idea. The problem is, some rocks might explode when you are baking them. You can disinfect them instead – but make sure to wash off all the bleach.
To ensure the safety of your bearded dragon, it is a good idea to attach big rocks, platforms and other structures that are not sturdy enough to the bottom of the terrarium.
It is important to seal large accessories that might fall down on your bearded dragon and injure it. To attach a piece of furniture, use a non-toxic silicone aquarium sealant.
Branches and rocks are especially important for your bearded dragon – as they help them wear down the nails. If you don’t include any branches or other accessories with rough surfaces, your bearded dragon’s nails will grow too long and start to curl.
A hide box/stone cave for your bearded dragon
Creating the space for your bearded dragon to cool down, hide when feeling threatened, or relax is a must. 
Hiding is natural with bearded dragons and sometimes they choose to hide from the others for some time. Hatchling bearded dragons are even more vulnerable and choose to hide more often that adults. The best hideout should be big enough for your bearded dragon to enter and exit easily, and mostly dark.
One of the good choices for a bearded dragon’s hideout is a hollow log shelter. Another option is a hollow round cork bark that you can cut to different shapes and sizes.
You can also make your own hideout. But how to choose a material for a hideout? Well, it can be almost anything that is not toxic. It can be wood and even plastic storage containers. Make sure to cut the hole for entry/exit and remove any sharp edges or sides. Use a metal file if necessary.
The most important thing to remember if your bearded dragon hides a lot is to arrange something that is not fully enclosed. If your bearded dragon hides a lot, it won’t get enough UVB light and heat that can lead to MBD.
So, if your dragon hides quite often, make sure to buy or make a hide that isn’t fully enclosed. You can even arrange something like a small corner to hide behind a plant or a branch or something similar that is not blocking light from top.
A shedding box for your bearded dragon
You can also place a shedding box that your bearded dragon will use while shedding. Place the shedding box in one corner of the tank.
Or, you can introduce it during shedding times. A shedding box should be similar to a hide box, and you can make one from a plastic storage box, wood or carton.
Make the inside of the shedding box humid – add some moss or vermiculite substrate to hold in moisture. You can also spray some water in there, or mist your dragon.
Plants for your bearded dragon’s vivarium
Plants provide a naturalistic look and environment to your bearded dragon’s vivarium. You can choose both live and fake plants for your bearded dragon’s terrarium.
But, live plants will need to survive high temperatures and the bearded dragon! Fake plants, however, will not need any care and look naturalistic. Make sure to place plants in both indoor and outdoor terrariums (if you have one).
Choose plants that are strong enough and will not break if your bearded dragon decides to climb and lay on them. There is a big chance that your bearded dragon will chew and eat plants’ leaves, climb on them and dig under them. Sometimes, getting fake plants is a better choice.
Cons of using live plants
Higher humidity levels and then need to take care of them. And don’t plant the plants in the substrate – instead bring them in pots. If you plant them, you will need to water the substrate, making it wet and raising the humidity in the vivarium. With live plants, you can also get pests in the soil – such as aphids.
Monitoring your bearded dragon after introducing new plants
Right after you place new plants or other decorations in the terrarium, your bearded dragon will get curious and start exploring. Don’t worry – sometimes bearded dragons stop chewing and breaking the plants few days after introduction.
If your beardie keeps chewing on a fake plant and doesn’t stop after a week or so, swap it with a different one or remove it completely. This is because you need make sure your bearded dragon doesn’t swallow any plastic pieces of fake plants.
Avoid any plants that are toxic to your bearded dragon (read about toxic plants here). For example, you must not use an aloe or amaryllis for your bearded dragon’s tank – they are toxic!
The best safe live plants for bearded dragon’s vivarium
- Edible herbs, such as basil, mint and thyme
- Lithops
- Hibiscus
- Wheatgrass
- Clover
and more…
You can read a full post on best plants for your bearded dragon’s tank in this post.
The best fake plants for your bearded dragon’s tank are:
Any fake plants are good, just make sure they are either small for a display or big enough for your bearded dragon to lay on.
Haworthia-one of the best plants for your bearded dragon’s terarium
Also, make sure no plastic pieces are coming off it to avoid an impaction. Fake jungle plants will fit the desert terrarium better, but you can choose other plants too.
Please remember that your bearded dragon will try to eat the plants, taste them and lay on them. This is why it’s very important not to get fake plants that have small details that your dragon can bite off and swallow. Offer a one-stem plant that has no small parts to it.
- Fake cacti, such as this Barrel or Saguaro Cactus
- Other succulents
- All fake plants without small parts
Other accessories for a bearded dragon’s vivarium:
A lizard lounger/hammock
Lizards loungers like this are very popular with bearded dragons and other reptile pets. A lounger, also called a hammock, has suction cups that you attach to a terrarium’s glass. Your bearded dragon will most probably love the hammock and use it for basking, climbing, lounging or sleeping. Here are few tips on placing the hammock:
- Clean the glass thoroughly before placing the suction cups.
- For the first time or few, position the hammock lower in case your bearded dragon falls from it. Your beardie should learn to use it after some time.
- Position it under the basking lights if you want your bearded dragon to use it for basking, or in the middle of the terrarium for sleeping.
- Check the suction cups once in few week, as they might start coming off because of high terrarium temperatures.
Ornaments and accessories:
There are some ornaments that you can decorate your bearded dragon’s tank with. Most of them are used as hideouts by smaller lizards, but some owners use them to create an ancient themed jungle terrarium and so on.
One example of an ornament is this dinosaur skull decor piece that your beardie can use to climb or lay on. You can also create your own theme, and add the decor to match the style.
Be careful as some accessories might be sharp inside or have sharp edges. Check them before placing in the tank and use a metal file to smooth out any sharp edges.