Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: We ship to Canada through our Etsy shop Naturepodsbotanicals. Anything that is on our website, we can set up a custom listing for through Etsy.
Q: What animals and pets benefit from botanical seed pods?
Aquarium Freshwater Shrimp: Biofilm growth for grazing, hiding spaces, tannins
Freshwater Fish: Natural cover, hiding spaces, tannins, mimics wild habitat
Betta Fish: Natural cover, tannins mimic wild habitat
Plecos: Hiding shelters, tannin-enriched water conditions
Dwarf Cichlids (e.g., Apistogramma): Breeding shelters, natural habitat enrichment
Snails: Grazing on biofilm from pods
Axolotls: Mimics natural habitat (use large botanicals that cannot be ingested)
Isopods & Springtails: Hides, holds humidity, organic food source
Bioactive Enclosures: Hides, hold humidity, mimics natural habitat, enrichment
Arachnids: Enrichment, climbing structures
Parrots (macaws, cockatoos, conures, African greys, budgies, lovebirds, cockatiels): Foraging, chewing (beak exercise), enrichment, shredding fun
Hamsters, Gerbils, Mice, Rats: Gnawing for dental health, rolling toys, hiding food inside pods
Guinea Pigs: Safe chewing material, environmental enrichment
Rabbits: Chewing (teeth wear), mental stimulation
Chinchillas: Gnawing for dental health, shredding enrichment
Ferrets: Batting pods as toys, sensory enrichment
Sugar Gliders: Foraging, climbing, chewing for enrichment
Reptiles: Hiding, climbing, natural enrichment
Geckos, Skinks, Anoles: Climbing, hiding, naturalistic terrarium decor
Snakes: Shelter/hideouts, climbing enrichment
Frogs & Toads: Shelter in damp pods, hiding spots
Axolotls: Mimics natural habitat (use large botanicals that cannot be ingested)
Hermit Crabs: Climbing structures, hiding places, enrichment
Insects (bees, beetles, ants): Shelter, nesting cavities
Overall Benefits of Botanical Seed Pods
• Foraging & chewing enrichment → birds, rodents, rabbits
• Dental health → rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs
• Mental stimulation & play → parrots, ferrets, sugar gliders
• Shelter & climbing → reptiles, amphibians, hermit crabs
• Water conditioning (tannins) → aquariums (fish, shrimp, snails)
• Naturalistic habitat → terrariums & aquarium
Q: Do the botanicals need to be sterilized before use?
A: If the botanicals are being used in an aquarium, rinse and boil the seed pods for at least 15 minutes will start the release of tannins and help waterlog the botanicals so they sink. After boiling, an overnight soak in fresh water will also help the botanicals to become waterlogged. Please note: some botanicals are very buoyant, and it may take several days of soaking or an aquarium-safe weight or rock may need to be utilized to help the botanical sink to the bottom of the aquarium.
If using the botanicals in a bioactive terrarium or terrarium, it is not necessary to sterilize the botanicals. They can simply be placed in the terrarium. You may rinse or boil the botanicals if you choose. If the botanicals are boiled or rinsed, let them dry completely before adding to the enclosure.
Q: There is mold starting to grow on the botanicals in my terrarium, is it safe to continue using them?
A: Mold growth is a normal part of nature, and it is expected in bioactive terrariums. In most cases, the mold is not harmful and it’s the ecosystem’s way of “cycling” and trying to balance itself out. You can wipe the mold off if it gets excessive. The mold may have to be wiped off several times before the terrarium ecosystem is in balance and the mold goes away. Mold typically forms when enclosures are too wet. Check to be sure there is not excess wetness in the habitat.
Q: Why are the botanicals in the aquarium getting slimy or gel-like or moldy looking? Is it safe?
A: That growth on the botanicals is biofilm, and it is harmless. Biofilm is beneficial in blackwater aquariums. It provides a food source to many shrimp and fish, and it’s a sign the aquarium is healthy. Some botanicals produce heavy amounts of biofilm and other botanicals produce a minimal amount. The biofilm will eventually subside.
Q: How many botanicals should be used in a blackwater aquarium?
A: It is recommended to start with only a couple botanicals per 10 gallons. It is always best to start with just a few botanicals because more can always be added. Adding too many botanicals can affect the aquarium water parameters.
Q: What types of isopods and springtails do you stock, and are they suitable as bioactive clean-up crews?
A: We stock a range of live isopods and springtails intended for terrarium use and bioactive clean-up crews. Our listings include commonly kept pet isopods (for example, dairy cow isopods and common roly-polies) and mixes tailored to clean-up duties in planted and bioactive enclosures. All live isopods and springtails we sell were submitted to FDACS for taxonomic examination and identification, which supports accurate species-level handling and responsible distribution. Our springtail cultures are several weeks old and already reproducing at the time of shipment, ensuring you receive an active colony that will begin contributing to substrate breakdown and microfauna ecology on arrival. Botanical seed pods and dried botanicals that pair well with these clean-up crews ship free with live isopod and springtail purchases.
Q: What terrarium and bioactive supplies do you offer?
A: We offer botanical seed pods and dried botanicals specifically selected for terrarium use, plus a curated assortment of terrarium and bioactive supplies suitable for establishing and maintaining healthy microfauna communities. Our inventory focuses on materials that support bioactive systems and the animals that inhabit them—botanicals that provide shelter, microhabitats, and nutrient inputs for isopods and springtails. Wholesale options for botanical seed pods are available for B2B customers. Because we concentrate on supplies that integrate with live clean-up crews, customers will find plant-safe botanicals and substrate-compatible items among our offerings.
Q: How does your insured, temperature-controlled shipping work and what makes it different?
A: We ship live organisms using insured, temperature-controlled packaging and coordinate shipments to minimize transit stress. Live orders are dispatched on Monday and Tuesday to reduce time in transit and exposure to weekend shipping holds; a FedEx Overnight option is available when faster delivery is required. Our operation holds the necessary USDA and FDACS permits, and all isopods and springtails have been submitted to and identified by FDACS taxonomists—this regulatory compliance and specimen vetting are integral parts of our shipping protocol. Please note we are not responsible for carrier delays once the package is in transit, and insured shipping protects the value of live shipments if an eligible shipping incident occurs.
Q: Do you offer wholesale botanical seed pods (B2B)?
A: Yes — we sell botanical seed pods at wholesale (B2B) scale. Wholesale botanical seed pods are one of our published product lines, and we support business customers with bulk botanical supplies intended for retail, botanical blending, or terrarium manufacturing. Our operations include USDA and FDACS permitting, which facilitates compliant wholesale distribution of botanical materials where regulatory oversight applies. Local pickup in Venice, Florida is available as an alternative to shipping when that best suits a wholesale order.
If you need specific product availability, shipping windows, or to place an order, our team is ready to help. Reach out to arrange pickup, request a live-stock list, or discuss wholesale needs.
