A group of four brown sterculia apetala jungle pods (Colombian seed pods) for biotope aquariums and vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Colombian Jungle Pods | Sterculia apetala

$13.50
A pile of light to medium brown Colombian Casho leaf litter (Anacardium excelsum) for dart frog vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Colombian Casho Leaf Litter | Anacardium excelsum

$15.00
A pile of yellow and brown Mango leaves (Mangifera indica) with speckled patterns for dart frog vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Colombian Mango Leaves | Mangifera indica

$15.00
A pile of slender tan Colombian Bamboo leaves (Bambusa sp.) for dart frog vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Colombian Guadua Bamboo Leaf Litter | Bambusa sp.

$14.00
A pile of brown and tan Colombian cacao leaves (Theobroma cacao) for dart frog vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Colombian Cacao Leaves | Theobroma cacao

$15.00
5.0
A bundle of light brown swamp grass (Carex sp.) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Swamp Grass | Carex sp.

$10.00
A group of curled golden and brown terentang leaves (Campnosperma brevipetiolata) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Terentang Leaves | Campnosperma brevipetiolata

$15.00
A group of broad, flat brown Para Para Pods (Jacaranda copaia) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Para Para Pods | Jacaranda copaia

$11.50
A group of ruff brown Pente de Onca pods (Bignoniaceae haplolophium) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Pente de Onca Pods | Bignoniaceae haplolophium

$9.00
A group of brown and golden Antiquorum Pods (Euphorbia antiquorum) for vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Antiquorum Pods | Euphorbia Antiquorum Linn

$9.50
A group of brown Cariniana Savu Trumpet Pods (Cariniana sp.) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Savu Trumpet Pods | Cariniana sp. 'Savu'

$21.00
Venus Fly Trap carnivorous plant in pot with open traps, photographed on a natural background for blackwater pond use at Betta Botanicals.

Venus Fly Traps | Dionaea muscipula

$13.00
Group of Ulin pods from Eusideroxylon zwageri for biotope and vivarium use, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Ulin Pods | Eusideroxylon zwageri

$22.00
Three intricate tan and brown Ceylon Date Palm Flower Stalks (Phoenix pusilla) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Ceylon Date Palm Stalk | Phoenix pusilla

From $15.00
An assortment of static clings for aquariums in brown, maroon, and butter colors at Betta Botanicals.

Betta Botanicals® 'pimp my tank' Decals

$15.00
5.0
A build your ecosystem static cling in brown and butter colors against a brown catappa leaf background for blackwater aquarium glass at Betta Botanicals.

Build Your Ecosystem Static Cling Tank Decal

From $3.00
A brown fibrous nipa palm pod (Nypa fruticans) for blackwater aquariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Nipa Palm Pod | Nypa fruticans

$6.00
5.0
A brown fibrous lotus seed pod with hollow cavities for aquariums and vivariums, photographed on a natural background at Betta Botanicals.

Nelumbo Lotus Pods | Nelumbo nucifera

$5.00

Build Your Ecosystem with Aquarium Botanicals

Every botanical we curate—whether leaf, seed pod, bark, or root—contributes its own durability, tannin profile, and ecological benefit. Layered together, they create the foundation of botanical method, blackwater, and biotope aquariums, and bioactive vivariums, where life flourishes through natural processes.

At Betta Botanicals, we uphold strict sourcing standards. Each batch is inspected and tested before it reaches your aquarium or vivarium, and all packaging is 100% home-compostable to keep your ecosystem and our planet aligned. With select free USA shipping on orders over $50 and detailed preparation guidance, we make it simple to start building your own ecosystems right at home.

Leaf Litter Safe for Fish, Shrimp, and Vivariums

We love the aesthetic that botanicals add to our ecosystems, but their true value lies in supporting microbial colonization, stabilizing water chemistry, and providing cover, foraging zones, and spawning sites. Whether you’re adding Catappa Leaves to calm a Betta, Alder Cones to tint water for Tetras, or larger leaves to enrich a vivarium floor for dart frogs, every product is tested.

Aquarium Botanicals for Blackwater and Biotopes

Pairing soft water with botanicals allows you to replicate natural blackwater habitats—ecosystems defined by their rich tint, low pH, and low dissolved solids. Many popular fish, from Tetras to Apistogramma, evolved in these conditions. Botanicals like Alder Cones and Macaranga Leaves help gently lower pH, while pods and bark create natural spawning shelters. For aquarists seeking to replicate specific biotope aquariums, our curated range makes it possible to blend function with aesthetics.