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sarakk192013

Frog In My Potted Plants, Why?

10 years ago

I live on the third story, I noticed a frog in one of my potted plants. That was yesterday late morning, he was gone that night and was back in the same pot this morning. It's fine with me, the little guy already has a place in my heart. But, why? Why would this frog climb 3 stories to sit in a potted plant rather than the swampy stream just across the parking lot. I'm worried he/she maybe sick and looking for a safe place, injured, pregnant?? I can't find any information online nor can I find what kind of frog it is.

If anyone knows anything let me know!! :) I'm just super curious and clearly have nothing much better going on these days. Thank you!!

Comments (40)

  • 10 years ago

    Have you recently added a new plant or purchased anything that you put out on your balcony? I think frogs are cute, you dont say where your located, but a cool dish of water would help him during the heat of the day, he can soak in it or drink.


    sarakk192013 thanked christine 5b
  • 10 years ago

    I haven't put out anything new. I'm in florida on the Space Coast. I did put some water out because of the heat, even though he didn't use it ( he didn't move from that spot). Yesterday I was sprinkling him with water and he seemed to enjoy it, he lifted his head towards the water. He hopped away again last night and this morning he was back in his place. I just find it so odd.


  • 10 years ago

    I thought he might have come home from a nursery plant you purchased. It is odd, well enjoy him, he must have found some yummy bugs to eat....


  • 10 years ago

    I've had a lot of frogs in my potted plants here in Virginia this year. It seems like they moved to the porch when I started tearing out my tired old bushes. i think I kept disturbing their hiding places so they just flex to the porch to get away from my shovel.


    Here's a picture of one little fellow trying to come in during a storm!


  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Tree frogs just do that sometimes. Back home in Michigan I saw them clinging to the top of our second story more than a couple times, and there were no any nice houseplants for them there. I would just keep an eye on it, having water out is a nice plan and you can also pick up mealworms from local pet stores, leave them in a little cup or dish near the frog where it can see the movement. It will eventually wander back more than likely. Watch for signs of it not getting enough to eat, if it looks sunken in on its sides it isn't eating enough. If you see that, bring it down to that swamp and find some nice big leafy tree and place it on a sturdy branch and it will be fine. I am a wildlife bio student, doing frog research this summer and worked for a herpetologist for 8 years. If you can get better pictures or tell me roughly were you are (sorry if I missed it) I am sure I can figure out the species if you would like to know.

  • 10 years ago

    I have wondered the same thing with our frogs. Every year, I have 2 green frogs or more on my deck. I can't figure out why they would want to climb up the deck to get there. I did notice one night that they like to get on the sliding glass doors at night to catch the bugs that came to the light. Sometimes, they perch on my plants and it would surprise me as they blend in very well. I've only seen them a few times during the day but can count on them at night by the sliding glass door.

    During winter, they sometimes are hijackers. Usually, I find them and put them back outside but last year, one got smooshed against the sliding glass door.; so sad. If they would be good frogs and eat all my black ants but they don't. Why? Tell me why...I thought they liked big black ants.

  • 10 years ago

    The light is likely drawing them in, with the promise of bugs. Generally speaking there are lots of tree frogs but you don't often see them because they are so well camouflaged. As for the ants, my guess there is that for whatever reason your frogs just aren't registering the movement. It could be that the color helps them blend in, or that the movement just isn't showing up to the frog as food. If it was, they would eat them. Hmmm, I suppose not knowing your area etc., could be some association thing there too, but generally speaking a frog will eat anything that moves. Reptiles and amphibians have terrible eye sight.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    This is my kitchen sink resident. I have taken him outside a couple of times but somehow he gets back in. I figure that that is where he wants to live and I don't mind. I live in North Idaho near Lake Coeur D Alene. I have more frogs living on my deck, same kind, and a large toad that lives under my house. He makes amusing frog sounds. The only thing that I can think of to explain the frog population explosion, is that my cat kills snakes. GOOD KITTY!!!!! Are there any dangers or concerns that I should consider?

  • 10 years ago

    Dangers with the frogs? Not so much. Hopefully the cat doesn't eat toads, those can be toxic. Garter snakes will eat frogs, the drought may be more the cause from your frog explosion, pushing the animals that are able to migrate into the closest available water bodies more so than the kitty, whose role is probably much smaller. I'd be concerned about the kitty tackling a rattlesnake, but I don't think there are terribly many of them around CDA. I live over in Spokane, I will check to see what type of frog he is when I get a chance.

  • 10 years ago

    It looks like it could be a Cuban tree frog which is invasive in Florida.

  • 10 years ago

    We live in Missouri in an open area but, I think because we don't spray pesticides, there are always lots of frogs and toads (I fish toads out of the pool all summer) around the house beds. The lovely little tree frogs like to climb up on the windows at night. It's not hard to figure out, since bugs are attracted to the lights inside, it's like a frog buffet. Now that it's getting cold, I'll miss them.

  • 10 years ago

    I don't think it's big enough to be a Cuba tree frog. Our county had the first Cuban tree frog last year. They are alot bigger than that one is. They are so hard to ID. They come in so many different colors and patterns.

  • 9 years ago

    Just today I found an average sized toad in a peace lily I keep indoors! None of my plants have been outside since last fall, and we haven't had doors or windows open since then either. How in the world...? Could he have been hiding in that plant all winter? And I rarely see a bug in the house. Any ideas?

  • 8 years ago

    There's a frog in my Celesia and I noticed it this morning. It's still there although it moved deeper into the plant. It's early afternoon and I don't usually see frogs this time of day.

  • 7 years ago


    I found this tinny little critter in my hanging plant I brough in from outside. I live on Long Island. Is it a frog or toad? I put it back in my garden to be free.

  • 6 years ago

    I found a little tree frog in my seedling pots I have indoors on a heating mat. I was afraid he wouldn’t get enough to eat, so took him outside. A couple days later I found frog #2, and took him outside. Today I discovered #3, and am feeling guilty I might have broken up a family! I have no idea where they came from. I live in NW Washington state. I do leave my door open sometimes.....they all seem to love the heating mat.

  • 6 years ago


    I have the same question too haha

  • 6 years ago

    I often see tree frogs on my potted rose trees on the 2nd floor decking. I guess there must be enough bugs for them to catch.





  • 5 years ago

    We have frogs all over our neighborhood, I think they’re gray tree frogs but I’m not sure. In the summer, you’ll find at least one while taking the dog for his nightly walk. Last year, a teeny tiny guy (or gal?) started visiting us on our townhouse deck. Without fail, he came to see us every night. I named him Kermit Jr. (very original, I know) and this year, he returned! Well, I choose to believe its the same frog 😂


    Last night he hung out in one of my potted plants. This morning when watering them, I found him still there! I’ve never ever seen him or any of these frogs during the day! Is he okay?!


    We are in Anne Arundel County, Maryland if this helps. I’ve lived in MD all my life and I‘ve never seen these frogs before moving to this part of MD so if it’s helpful, we’re in the Pasadena, MD area.



    The photo including a 1/2 Tsp measuring cup was taken to show how small he is

  • 5 years ago

    I have the same little frogs on my second floor balcony this year and I live in Alexandria, VA! Why are they climbing up on my balcony when they have a moist grassy environment with a sprinkler system at ground level? I never saw these frogs last summer. but now I see one or two daily. The first one I saw I removed and "rehomed" beside a stream. Now I figure they they are choosing to be on my balcony and just let them be, although I do worry that they are stuck there and in jeopardy. Any information readers can provide will be helpful and appreciated.

  • 5 years ago

    I just found this post and I am enjoying it so much!! I live in wake Forest North Carolina, and found these cute baby frogs in my hanging ferns out on my front porch. We have had a rather largeblack rat snake in our yard and tree for a few years now, and I saw him last weekend for the first time this season, and then again two days ago. I feel very protective of him I don’t want my neighbors to kill it. But I don’t want him to eat the frogs when they venture away from the ferns because I love them so so much LOL. Sometimes it’s just hard for me to not interfere with nature!


  • 5 years ago

    How sweet! Do you know what kind of frog it is?

  • 5 years ago

    I do not know what kind of frog it is. But it is very dreamy eyed and looking at me so lovingly Lol! Today when I went to check on him, there was a baby the size of a dime, no exaggeration. By the time I got my phone for a picture, the little baby had burrowed deep into the plant. So adorable, I can’t even stand myself right now LOL

  • 5 years ago

    Several weeks ago I saw this little sweetie honkered down on my concrete bunny statue. Then this morning I was watering plants on my second floor deck and saw this little one inside a plant container. Can't figure how he got to second floor. Didn't think toads climbed up this far. It's a mystery but I'm loving them. I recently ordered two toad houses and put them where I had seen toads this season.



  • 5 years ago

    They can climb. I saw one climbing up.

  • 5 years ago

    I didn’t know there was such a thing as a toad house! Thanks for mentioning that, I am going to check that out and buy some!

  • 5 years ago


    I have the same issues. This frog I discovered four days ago, watered my plant as usual, was gone for couple of days and back this morning.

    First time I went out to drink my coffee and looked to my right and it was so buried in my plant I thought it was a snake. Lol. With my investigation I realized it was a frog.

    But not sure why it's here? Any help?

    I either need to move my plant or him/Her for my plant is losing dirt.

    Thoughts?

    Thank

  • 5 years ago

    Oh my gosh!! So glad I found this feed! I am having the same issue!!!!! Everyday I come out on my 3rd floor patio and dark black frogs/toads are in my patio!!! Why on earth do they come all the way up here???? I do have tons of potted plants but I usually find them hiding behind my pillows on my chairs. I live in Minnesota. I am not a frog/toad fan so I don’t want to hurt them but I also don’t want them on my patio. ughhh why on earth are they on MY patio???

  • 5 years ago

    I am so happy that someone else is also facing the similar situation. I live in San Francisco, CA and I am seeing this frog on my 2nd floor patio for past months. My neighbor living below me also have a patio with plants why does it skip that patio and jumps to my patio on 2nd floor. I am happy to have them visit my plants but I am scared of them laying eggs and then the population just explodes. Any thoughts to prevent them or how to tell them you are grounded :P

  • 5 years ago

    I have a patio garden. I love the little frogs that have come to make a home in it


  • 5 years ago

    I agree. My toad keeps changing pots to hide in. A couple nights I looked over at my picture window, while watching TV, and my little toad was on the window. I like to think he was watching TV and snacking on bugs while I was watching and snacking on popcorn.

  • 5 years ago

    Your post is adorable! It made me laugh and I needed that giggle right about now!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I’m so glad I stumbled across this forum! I live in northeast Ohio in 3rd floor apartment building. I have a lot of outdoor plants including a small water feature with aquatic plants. I first discovered this little guy under a pillow on my outdoor bench about a month ago. Not wanting to disrupt him very much, I’ve kept an eye out for him and let him have free range. He has pretty much taken up residence in one of my potted plants, occasionally disappearing for a few days and then sure enough he shows up again. I try to leave the outside light on to attract bugs and have seen him out at night hopping around. This last week however we’ve had a dip in temperature and he seems to be less active. The plant he enjoys is sitting in a terra-cotta pot (it’s not actually planted in the pot if that makes sense) and he has been staying down inside the pot and not really coming out. I’m not sure if maybe I’m just not catching his activity at night any more or If the change in temp is slowing his activity. I don’t want to disrupt his natural instincts but I also have grown fond of him and don’t want him to stay put In this plant if he needs to move on in preparation for the winter. If he’s not coming out is he getting enough to eat?

    I also typically bring my plants in but obviously don’t want to kick him out so I will continue to let this plant stay out as long as possible. Does anyone have advice? Will he eventually leave when it gets cold enough? Is there anything I can do to create him a better space in the meantime? I’d appreciate any input! Thanks in advance!


  • 5 years ago

    I live in the mountains in CA. I had to bring my plants inside so they wouldn't freeze. I was surprised when about three in the morning I heard this loud croaking. Upon investigation I brought a frog in. Not one but two frogs. I've bought mill worms and thrown in the plants and they've disappeared so I'm assuming they are being eaten. I keep water in a small bowl inside the plant. So far they both seem happy. My question is...I know frogs hibernate do they need to hibernate? Can my frogs survive the winter in the house?

  • 5 years ago

    I just found a little gray frog on the wall near the plants I brought in from outside. I am in Kentucky. I don’t know what to do? If I put him outside will he freeze? If I leave him in the house will he die? Please help? Thank you.

  • 5 years ago

    I live in Florida and have a screened enclosed patio where I have some plants. Two of the plants are Peace Lilies. In both of the pots where water would drain I have found small tan frogs. The strange thing is that one of the pots is a self watering type with braided thick string that hangs down into an enclosed container that holds the water. Every time I separate one pot from the other to check on the water, I find one or two frogs swimming in the water. I have had this plant for nearly a year and it is only recently that this has been happening. I release the little frogs to the lawn area, but a few days later...another frog in the water pot. Does anyone know how this keeps happening. The only way they can get into the water is to borrow thru the soil & thru a drainage hole but I never ever see frogs in the patio area. Has anyone ever experienced this?

  • 5 years ago

    I have had a 2” toad living in my laundry room for months who wanders out onto my plants for meals. It makes its way in and out unseen for weeks at a time. Tending to the patio potted plants just now I discovered the rest of the family living at the bottom of a creeping charlie. Looked like there were 4 of them. I didn’t want to place the plant back in the same position for fear of squashing them so I left space for crawling out. Don’t know if I did the right thing. Wonder why the other one ( Mother?) seems to spend time in the laundry room where it’s warm? It’s located on the patio too.

  • 4 years ago

    Hello and wow 3 stories they hop or jump or climb her well I'm gonna get irritated my frogs I said Jason my son to my son they probably been there all along as I've been put in planners on my porch light 20 years but this 1st all of us said but this time there irritate me they really are so many there's about 10 hopping all around my yard and I pull back some flowers into planners in there they were buried in the dirt so I am taking my planners in put him in the ground like a low garden to the side of my property Yeah that's I want it I wish they would go away the only what reason why they started coming out as cause of water you get water in the plant you got water somewhere I put water in a low planner I put water on my porch for the dogs but do not drinking it's I don't know if the frogs are drinking it or not will good luck when you find a solution I wish I new myself but like I said there's so many frogs at night what after I watered the plants that I am getting irritated with him I love him I love frogs but I never seeing so many frogs this year that is never dawned on me that I had so many problems every year It never dawned on me that I had so many frogs it was kind of startling to pull back a plant and look at the soil and see frogs dismiss all but just the top of The the top of the frog staring at me in the planner it kind of startled me

  • 3 years ago

    This dirty frog jumped out the pot when I watering the flowers it must’ve been finding coolness form the scorching hot sun I literally doused it with water after I realized it was a frog I think it appreciates that very much

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