Palm Flower Pot on the Surface:

The Palm Flower Pot is the hollow sheath of the Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer), sourced from Sri Lanka, where the palm can be found growing in the sandy soils across the northern dry region. Once submerged, its waxy-coated fibers provide a durable cave for cichlids, bettas, plecos, and dart frogs, and a surface for biofilm and beneficial aquatic fungi to colonize in the Botanical Method, blackwater, and biotope aquarium. Our favorite way to use it is as a betta cave, weighted with a smooth rock until it's saturated.

Essential Details

• Tannin Level: Low
• Tint Color: Light yellow
• Durability: Moderate
• Habitat Location: Sri Lanka; northern dry zone, sandy soils
• Optimal For: Cichlids, bettas, plecos, dart frogs, and other cave-seeking species which includes snakes and various geckos
• Use with Caution: Please measure the smallest end of your sheath to ensure fish will not get stuck in the end if they swim through it.
• Size Range: 8 to 18 inches long, 2 to 4 inches in diameter
• Quantities: 1 count / 3 count Palm Flower Pots

Palm Flower Pot for Aquariums & Vivariums

Beneficial fungi and biofilms will begin colonizing this generic tropical within a few days of submersion to the aquarium or vivarium. These growths provide what we call supplemental nutrition, a grazing resource on both the outer surface and the hollow interior. The interior of this botanical provides refuge for bettas, plecos, and other cave-seeking fish, as these species would seek out in their natural habitat. The longer we leave this Palm Flower Pot in the ecosystem, the more aufwuchs, the layer of microbes and small organisms growing on its surface, develops.

As the fibers soften and break down, tannins are passively released into the water column, which contributes tint and a gradual pH reduction in soft or RODI water. Its waxy coating helps to delay this process, so the Palm Flower Pot lasts longer than more ephemeral leaf litter; however, rasping fish such as plecos and otocinclus may shorten its lifespan as fibrous materials are part of their natural diet. Once it begins to soften, leave it be to break down into beneficial detritus as part of the perpetual substrate. Just add a new one beside it, so the cave and the detritus layer both stay in the ecosystem.

For vivariums or paludariums, the hollow shape can provide refuge for dart frogs and isopods. As it breaks down, the sheath will transition into beneficial detritus that helps feed the clean-up crew, springtails and isopods, and microbial communities beneath the leaves.

Beneath the Leaves: Borassus flabellifer in the Wild

The Palmyra palm is native across South and Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, and grows to about 20 meters in coastal areas with sandy or alluvial soils and in places with permanent soil moisture, such as floodplains and river valleys. The sheath encloses the developing inflorescence.

Wherever palms and other vegetation grow beside water, plant material from the land reaches streams and rivers as allochthonous input, feeding the microbial and fungal food webs there. When we add the Palm Flower Pot into the aquarium, we replicate the allochthonous inputs that fuel the food webs of aquatic ecosystems around the globe. Mother Nature leads the way.

Sustainability Note:

This product's packaging is home compostable. Just like the botanicals inside, it will break down naturally and return to the soil — because what supports your ecosystem should minimally impact our planet.

Not for human consumption. Preparation required.

This is a natural product — variation in color, shape, and texture is expected.