A pile of brown rhapis excelsa palm fronds for bioactive enclosures and blackwater aquariums at Betta Botanicals.
A brown rhapis excelsa palm frond in brown tinted water of a botanical blackwater aquarium at Betta Botanicals.

Excelsa Palm Fronds | Rhapis excelsa

$6.00
$6.00
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Product Description: The Excelsa Palm Frond (Rhapis excelsa) brings a distinctive texture and durable structure to botanical method aquariums and bioactive enclosures. Sourced from tropical regions of Southeast Asia, these slow-growing palm fronds provide both aesthetic contrast and ecological function. Their fibrous, rigid structure adds depth to hardscapes while gradually breaking down to enrich the substrate with organic material.

In botanical method aquariums, Excelsa Palm Fronds contribute to a naturally layered leaf litter bed, creating microhabitats for shrimp, bottom-dwelling fish, and beneficial microorganisms. Their slow decomposition releases tannins and humic substances, subtly influencing water chemistry while fostering the growth of biofilms and fungal colonies that support a diverse aquatic ecosystem.

In bioactive vivariums, these palm fronds serve as shelter, moisture retainers, and a food source for isopods, springtails, and other decomposers. Their fibrous texture supports fungal growth, which helps cycle nutrients back into the substrate. When layered with other botanicals, they contribute to the structural complexity of a naturalistic enclosure, providing crevices for small invertebrates and amphibians to utilize.

About the Plant

Rhapis excelsa, commonly known as the Lady Palm or Excelsa Palm, is a slow-growing, clumping palm found in tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia. It thrives in well-draining soils and shaded environments, making it a common choice for ornamental cultivation. The fronds are deeply lobed, fan-like in structure, and highly fibrous, allowing them to withstand decomposition longer than most other leaf litter materials. In its natural habitat, the Excelsa Palm provides dense understory foliage, contributing to moisture retention and organic cycling within the forest ecosystem.

Not for Human Consumption. Preparation Required. 

Quantities: 2c Excelsa Palm Frond. Sizes range: Stems are 4" to 6" and leaves range from 4" to 12". This is a natural product, and variation between leaves and botanicals is expected.

Aquarium Botanical Location: Indonesia. 

Aquarium Botanical FAQs 

  1. Please reference our Shipping and Hassle-Free Return Policy at the bottom of the screen. All Products are packaged inside sustainably sourced and renewable sugar cane fibers allowing them to be fully biodegradable and compostable. Yes, you can bury these bags in your backyard to enrich your soils. 
  2. Please refer to our botanical preparation instructions. These Botanicals are grown and harvested in pesticide-free environments and it is recommended to use 2-3 botanical pieces per 5 gallons to start, wait 5-7 days, or for the next water exchange to then add more.
  3. Our aquarium and vivarium botanicals, leaves, and seed pods are not for human consumption, ever.
  4.  

Commonly Asked Questions:

 

1) Will Botanicals Lower The pH Of My Water?

It entirely depends on your water's chemistry. Soft water will allow the botanicals to lower your pH more than if you have medium or hard water. At Betta Botanicals HQ our tap water is Very Hard, ( 350+ppm) and we do not notice a change in water pH unless using Alder Cones or Macaranga Leaves.

 

2) What Are The Fluffy White Growth On My Botanicals?

White growths are the colonization of biofilms and fungi. We call this the 'goo phase' and it is totally natural. Botanicals are fuel for the ecosystem and the populations of bacteria and fungi will naturally rise and fall. 

 

3) I Don't Keep Bettas. Will These Botanicals Be Okay For My Critters?

100% yes. Our botanicals are for aquariums, terrariums, vivariums, and all natural enclosures wishing to recreate a more natural environment.

 

4) I Have Goldfish and Axolotls, What Botanicals Should I Avoid?

We DO NOT recommend using botanicals that these fish can ingest. Botanicals like casuarina cones, small alder cones, and live oak are not suited for these animals. Large aquarium leaves like Indian almond, loquat, and jackfruit leaf litter are preferred. 

 

5) When Should I Replace My Aquarium Leaves?

We recommend letting aquarium leaves and seed pods entirely break down into beneficial detritus. You can absolutely remove them after they don’t release tannins anymore, you just won't get all potential benefits of leaving them in the ecosystem. 

 

Ben sitting at a desk with a shipping box in his lap at Betta Botanicals.

Betta Botanicals® Shipping and DOA Policies 📦

All products from Betta Botanical show live shipping rates from our preferred carriers.

  • We offer FREE USA shipping on select USA orders over $35.
  • All Manzanita Wood and Rasamala Borneo Roots have a $8 USA Flat Shipping fee. If you purchase botanical quantities above $35+, you will still see this $8 shipping fee reflected.
  • Our Leaf Litter Lifestyle Merch is shipped directly to you from an off-site curator, and we cannot offer free shipping on these items.
  • If an item has an assigned shipping $ value assigned to it, this $ value is applied even when the order total qualifies for free shipping to account for our sustainable packing material, oversized charges, and time to carefully package your products.
  • For international Orders, please note that customs may impose applicable taxes and duties, which are the responsibility of the customer. If you choose not to cover these fees and decide to return your order, we'll gladly refund the product cost. However, please be aware that the shipping label cost, return shipping, and carrier admin fees will not be refunded in this case.
  • Aquatic Plants ship for a flat fee of $15.99 via Express methods to the USA only. Plant orders leave our greenhouses on Tuesday (Thursday Delivery), and Thursday (Saturday Delivery). More info on our aquatic plants can be found below.

Betta Botanicals is expanding our exclusive line of botanicals globally. We proudly ship to the following countries and territories:

Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Denmark, Greenland, Hungary, Isle of Man, Spain, Svalbard & Jan Mayen, Türkiye, Australia, Albania, U.S. Outlying Islands, and the United States of America.
 

When Do You Ship Botanicals & Plants? 🌱🍂

Betta Botanicals Aquatic Plant Shipping Policy (All Aquatic Plants Ship Directly from H2O Plants in Plant City, FL). Some fast-growing plants may be restricted in certain states, and it is your responsibility to check your local laws before purchasing.

Blackwater Aquatic Plants Shipping Schedule
  • Orders placed Sunday to End of Day Tuesday ship the same week. If your order requires a Saturday delivery, and a Saturday delivery is not an option, we will hold your plants until the following week.
  • Orders placed from End of Day Tuesday to Saturday ship the following week.
  • You can expect your plants 1–3 days after shipment, although courier delays may occur.
Betta Botanicals Orders: Ship within 1-4 business days.
Merch Orders: You can expect your merch 7-10 business days after shipment confirmation.

Shipping Fees on all Blackwater Aquarium Plants

  • All aquatic plants are shipped out of our partner facility via FedEx 2-Day, or USPS Priority Mail if you have a PO Box, for a flat shipping fee of $15.99. This covers express shipping. Shipping costs are non-refundable once an order is shipped.

Blackwater Aquarium Plants DOA Policy and Procedures

DOA Guarantee
We understand concerns about ordering live plants online. Rest assured, our DOA (Dead on Arrival) policy guarantees plants will arrive alive and in good condition.

No Returns on Aquatic Plants
We do not accept returns on aquatic plants, as they typically cannot survive being shipped back. 

15% Restocking Fee on Cancelled Aquatic Plant Orders
Please feel free to contact us if you need to cancel an order. However, as a small business, the only way we can accommodate cancellations is by charging a 15% cancellation fee on the cost of the plants. If you need us to hold a package for tank issues, we will waive this fee for you. 

If Your Aquatic Plants Arrive in Poor Condition

  1. Take photos of the unopened package within 6 hours of delivery scan of the carrier.
  2. Email these photos to us for evaluation at info@bettabotanicals.com.
  3. In some cases, we may ask you to wait a few days to see if the plant recovers—most plants are surprisingly resilient.
  4. Please do not discard any plants until we’ve responded to your claim.

Blackwater Aquarium Plants DOA Resolution
If a plant is confirmed DOA, we will replace it, offer a substitute, or refund it if the item is unavailable.

Pests & Algae on Naturally Grown Aquatic Plants

  1. Many of our non-tissue-culture plants are grown with natural tank methods (using snails, shrimp, fish, etc.).
  2. While we strive to remove pests before shipment, we cannot guarantee plants are 100% pest or algae-free.
  3. We cannot issue refunds if minor hitchhikers (snails, algae, duckweed) are found.
  4. For those who wish to avoid this possibility, we recommend tissue-culture plants or thoroughly cleaning plants upon arrival.

Blackwater Aquarium Plants DOA Void
Failure to provide photos of unopened, damaged plants within 6 hours of arrival will void our DOA guarantee.

Lost Package Policy for All Orders

  1. A package is considered lost if it has been in transit for 14 days or more with no delivery scan.
  2. After 14 days, we can reship your order or issue store credit. If you prefer a refund instead of reshipment/store credit, we will refund 70% of your total, retaining 30% as a fee.
  3. Lost package claims must be submitted within 30 days of the ship date.
  4. We may charge additional fees if reshipment or refunds are granted in such scenarios.

Stolen Package Policy for All Orders

  1. If tracking shows “delivered” but the package is missing, we’ll reship your order one time at 50% off your original checkout price.
  2. If you choose a refund instead of reshipment, we will retain 30% of the total as a fee, and you’ll receive 70% back.
  3. If a reshipped package goes missing again, we will not offer additional refunds or reships.
  4. Stolen package claims must be made within 48 hrs of the carrier delivery scan.
  5. We may charge additional fees if reshipment or refunds are granted in such scenarios.

Wrong or Incorrect Address Policy for All Orders

  1. Customers are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address.
  2. If the address is incorrect and the package is delivered elsewhere, it is the customer’s responsibility to recover it.
  3. If undeliverable and returned to us, we reserve the right to not reship, refund, or replace items at our discretion.
  4. We may charge additional fees if reshipment or refunds are granted in such scenarios.

Customer Reviews

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T
Tristan G.
Love these

I honestly purchased these because they just looked cool and I thought they would be interesting to add to my aquariums. I knew they wouldn't be small, but I was not expecting them to be as large as what I recieved. Still, I love them and they are so cool! They provide some nice cover and are a unique addition to the leaf litter.

One of my favorites as well! The color they turn once submerged contrasts nicely with the tinted water of the botanical method aquarium.

M
Morgan
Great product

I really liked these. They weren’t as big as expected but that’s perfectly okay because they still fit good in my tank (10g)

User picture

These fronds are one of my favs! You can also remove them and dry them back out if you want to use them again at a later date.

M
Morgan

I honestly loved these. They were a bit smaller than expected but it’s okay I didn’t really mind. They look great in my tank tho and my betta loves them!

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