will technically it is true you can use sand it's still probably safer to just use slate tiles it's not like the beardies care that much. if you do want to use a bit of sand when thay are older it would probably be ok to use a sand and peat mis that isn't too deep more like a dusting over the slate. i'm actually using a similar set up with a leo currently and really like the look of it though it is a bit messier, and he is bowl feed. as for the plants i have never heard of a bearded dragon eating a fake plant so really that feear is unfounded i would be concered about a like plant ether it tipping it over and eating it (yes eve succulents) and if it was a cactus i would be even more worried about the spines. it's just easier to not even bother with plants in this case, and this us coming from some one who loves naturalistic tanks.