Cork Bark Substrate
Cork Haven
Cork Bark Substrate for Reptile Enclosures, Bioactive Terrariums & Orchid Setups
Product information
100% virgin cork bark. Harvested by hand from cork oak forests in Portugal, then graded at our warehouse in Madison, Florida.
Nothing is added. No chemicals, no dyes, no coatings, no sealants. The bark is heat treated before it ships and that is the only processing it receives.
Naturally water resistant and rot resistant, which is why cork holds up in humid and bioactive enclosures where most woods break down. It resists mould better than any comparable natural material.
Safe for reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and small mammals.
Sustainably harvested. Stripping bark does not fell the tree. Cork oaks are harvested on a cycle and the bark regrows, which makes cork oak forest one of the few working landscapes that gets healthier the longer it is worked.
Because this is a natural product graded by hand, every piece is different. Colour, thickness and curvature vary from piece to piece — that variation is the material, not a defect.
Cork is sold by weight, not by piece, so you order the amount your build needs rather than guessing at quantities.
How much do I need? As a rough guide, a 10–20 gallon enclosure takes about 3–5 lbs, a 29–40 gallon about 5–10 lbs, and larger builds 10 lbs or more. The buying guide has the full breakdown by setup type.
Shipping. Flat rate on all orders. See shipping & store policies for current rates and dispatch times.
Returns. See returns & refunds.
Buying in volume? Bulk and wholesale pricing is available — see wholesale enquiries.
Before first use. A rinse under running water is normally all that is needed. If you want to be thorough, scrub with a stiff brush and let it dry completely, or pour boiling water over it and allow it to cool.
Do not use soap, detergent or household cleaners. Cork is porous and will hold the residue, which then leaches into the enclosure.
A little surface mould is normal when a new enclosure first cycles — it happens with any natural material and usually clears on its own once the enclosure settles and the clean-up crew establishes.
Ongoing. Cork needs no sealing, oiling or treatment. In a bioactive setup it can be left indefinitely. In a dry setup, lift and rinse pieces during routine cleaning.
Mounting. Cork takes a screw cleanly and bonds well with aquarium-safe silicone. For orchid and epiphyte mounts, fishing line or plant ties hold a plant until roots grip, usually within a season. Dry-fit before you glue anything: cork is irregular, so a background comes together by arranging pieces against each other rather than trimming them to size.