Botanica was a New-York based band, originally founded in Los Angeles in 1999. Led by Paul Wallfisch, a keyboardist and singer associated with Firewater, the band drew its name from the Botánica stores, which trade in folk medicine, amulets, and other products regarded as magical or as alternative medicine. On January 15, 2014, the band announced via its Facebook page and official website that it was "on indefinite leave.".

From 1999 to 2002 Botanica chiefly toured the US, including support dates for 16 Horsepower, Super Furry Animals and Rocket From the Crypt. Since then, Wallfisch lived and worked primarily in Europe. This included a five-year contract (from 2010 to 2015) as musical director of the Theater Dortmund, Germany. Botanica's subsequent albums were all released as a Rent A Dog/Alive label. Consequently, Botanica's tours from 2002 onward also focused on Europe, especially Germany.

Botanica's music has been used in several films including Men Cry Bullets (Phaedra), and The Takedown (Dimension/Miramax). Botanica, (with ex-Jesus Lizard David Sims), is featured in Greg Pritikin's film Dummy (Artisan Entertainment), starring Adrien Brody and Milla Jovovich. Wallfisch also scored the film.

The band released its final album, What do you believe, in 2012, followed by a European tour that finished in July 2013. Afterwards, Wallfisch initially focused his musical efforts on a new project with Alexander Hacke (of Einstürzende Neubauten), Mick Harvey (of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds), and Danielle DePicciotto, called The Ministry of Wolves. Thence forward, he has mostly written for soundtracks, but also played live with changing collaborators.