Dried leaves are essential for invertebrate enclosures as a natural substrate, food source, and hiding place, especially for detritivores like isopods and millipedes. Safe options include leaves from hardwood trees such as oak, maple, beech, and Indian almond trees. 
 
Recommended Leaf Types and Products
Oak Leaves
Creates an authentic forest floor environment and essential microclimates.
Praised by experts for their tough, waxy structure that ensures longevity in the enclosure before naturally breaking down.
Example product: 
HerpZoo 3 Litre Leaf Litter Substrate, Mixed Dried Leaves, Oak Leaves, Bioactive Terrarium Bedding
 (mostly English oak).
Maple Leaves
A favorite food source for isopods and provides enrichment for various invertebrates.
Reviewers note they are thinner than oak leaves and will break down faster, providing quicker nutrient cycling.
Often included in mixed leaf litter products such as 
Pete's Bio Active Leaf Litter
.
Beech Leaves
Excellent for creating a healthy, balanced bioactive ecosystem.
Often used in blended products to provide a mix of decomposition rates and nutrients.
Example product: Dried Beech Leaves from InvertebrateSupplies are available as a specific option.
Indian Almond Leaves (Catappa)
Naturally harvested and popular for creating a biotope, especially in aquatic or high-humidity setups.
Contain tannins that have natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, aiding in disease prevention.
Example product: 
Swell Indian Almond Leaves - Large 10pk
 are widely available.
Mulberry Leaves
An ideal supplementary food for freshwater shrimp and other invertebrates, rich in vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc.
Organically grown and air-dried to preserve all nutrients, according to Essential Ponds and Aquatics.