Peruvian Casho Leaf Litter | Anacardium occidentale
Product Description: Casho Leaf Litter (Anacardium occidentale) is a versatile and beautiful addition to any botanical method aquarium or bioactive enclosure. Sourced from Peru, these mid-sized leaves are ethically harvested to ensure quality. A bit of sand usually arrives on these leaves, but it will be removed after you follow the preparation method. Their natural texture and color help replicate a dynamic and more natural forest floor that supports your ecosystems.
The Casho leaves come from the cashew tree, native to tropical South America and now widely cultivated across the globe. Known for its distinctive kidney-shaped seeds (cashew nuts) and vibrant red or yellow cashew apples, the tree thrives in hot, lowland areas. Cashew trees produce leathery, evergreen leaves that form a dense canopy, making them ideal for leaf litter collection. These durable leaves break down slowly, offering long-lasting functionality in naturalistic environments.
In botanical method aquariums, Casho leaves release low levels of tannins, adding a subtle tint to the water and fostering a thriving microbial environment. The breakdown of the leaves encourages biofilm development, providing excellent grazing surfaces for shrimp, snails, and rasping fishes.
In bioactive vivarium enclosures, these leaves become a nutrient-rich food source for isopods, springtails, and other clean-up crews. Small reptiles, dart frogs, and micro geckos love using Casho leaves as natural hiding spots, blending seamlessly into their environment.
Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required.
Quantities: Each bag contains roughly 35 grams of leaf litter or about 35+ leaves. These range in size from 3" up to 9" so we package them in our largest 32oz compostable bags. This is a natural product; variation between leaves and botanicals is expected.
Aquarium Botanical Location: Amazon Jungles, Perú.
Peruvian Casho Leaf Litter | Anacardium occidentale
Home is getting a bit more natural
While the aesthetic appeal of botanicals and tinted water can be quite attractive to us, the recreation of nature to emulate water conditions, feeding patterns, spawning displays, and territory building are the true benefits botanicals provide to our critters.
Botanical FAQs
Compostable Packaging Promise
Our packaging is designed to return safely to the Earth, just like the botanicals inside. Every bag is BPA- and Phthalate-free, GMO-free, and contains no animal products. Each meets ASTM D6400 composting standards, ensuring it can fully break down in a home compost bin.
What are the Fluffy White Growths on my Botanicals?
That’s biofilm and fungi—what we call the “goo phase.” It’s one of the clearest signs that your aquarium is alive and functioning. These growths wax and wane naturally as botanicals decompose. They’re harmless, even beneficial, and will disappear on their own once microbial populations stabilize.
Will botanicals lower the pH of my water?
That depends entirely on your source water. In very soft or RODI water, botanicals can gradually lower pH as tannins and humic substances accumulate. In medium to hard tap water, buffering capacity often resists these shifts, and you may not notice much change. At Betta Botanicals HQ, our very hard water (350+ ppm) shows almost no pH change unless we use botanicals like Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.
When should I replace leaves or pods in my tank?
We recommend allowing botanicals to fully break down into detritus, since this fuels microbial life and enriches the substrate. You can remove them once they stop tinting the water, but you’ll lose some of their ecological benefits. Each time you add new botanicals, follow proper preparation and observe your livestock until you learn your aquarium’s rhythm.
Are your products just for bettas?
Nope. Our botanicals are safe for almost all aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and paludariums. The only exceptions are goldfish and axolotls, which may ingest small pods like alder cones or casuarina cones. For those species, we recommend large leaves such as Indian Almond, Loquat, or Jackfruit.
What are Tannins?
Tannins are natural compounds released by leaves, seed pods, and bark as they decompose in water. They soften water, gently lower pH, and create the characteristic tea-stained tint found in blackwater habitats. But their role goes far beyond color—tannins fuel beneficial bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, which form the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. They also offer mild antifungal benefits and help reduce stress in fish by replicating the natural conditions they’ve evolved in. At their core, tannins are plant-derived antioxidants that connect your aquarium to the same processes at work in wild flooded forests and streams.
Customer Reviews
I used casho leaf litter in my ProStar 150 to give me the tannin li needed without going too dark. The tank will be home to discus and a few other peaceful South American fish.
Thank you for reviewing our Casho Leaf Litter! This has been my favorite leaf variety recently to use in my vivariums with dart frogs and in my South American Biotope Inspired Ecosystem. The tint and durability of the leaves is fantastic. That's great you are using these with Discus to recreate their natural habitat! -Ben