Low Maintenance
Light Preference/Tolerated (Medium Light, Low Light)
Aquatic Watering Needs
Mature Height 8-12 inches
Pet Safe

The stunning, bright, velvety-green orb is neither a moss nor a plant but is a naturally occurring rare form of algae that grows spherically. They are found in a few lakes throughout the world, located in Iceland, Japan, Ireland, Scotland, and Estonia. They have been known to live for over 200 years so are handed down as family heirlooms.

Best Locations For Growing Marimo Ball

To provide the ideal environment for your Marimo Ball, find a location that receives medium, indirect light. Because their native environment occurs in cold lakes, they do not require heated water. They prefer cool environments, so place them away from central heat vents or radiators.

Marimo Ball Sunlight Requirements

Because Marimo Ball grows naturally at the bottom of lakes, they do not require special or high-intensity light. Regular household lighting or indirect natural lighting from windows is enough light for the Marimo to photosynthesize. Just be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight or away from higher-intensity LED lights because this will cause brown spots.

Marimo Ball Care

Every time you do a water change in your aquarium, gently roll the Marimo Ball in your hands to maintain its round shape and ensure that all parts of the sphere get access to light. If you notice your Marimo Ball is starting to collect debris, take it out of the tank, remove any undesirable algae, and gently swish it in a bucket of aquarium water to clean. You can propagate Marimo Ball simply by removing it from the tank, squeezing out excess water, and cutting it in half with a clean pair of scissors or a sharp knife. Roll the new clumps in your hands to form new spheres. Aquascapers get creative and branch out from the sphere form, using them as lush green mats on rock surfaces, the aquarium floor, and other hardscaping elements in the aquarium.

Watering Marimo Ball

Marimo Ball can live in tap water aquariums, but they will do best and will remain cleaner in reverse-osmosis water or filtered water. Water changes are important to prevent natural dirt or waste build-up on your Marimo Ball. The frequency of water changes is dependent on the environment. If your Marimo Ball lives by itself, a good general rule of thumb is a 50% water change every couple of weeks. Marimo Balls naturally grow in cooler water and prefer temperatures below 75 degrees.

Feeding Marimo Ball

No fertilization is necessary, although if you notice your Marimo Ball developing small brown spots, it’s recommended to add a pinch of ocean salt to the container.

Marimo Ball Information

Light Exposure: Medium Light, Low Light

Care Requirements: Easy

Watering Requirements: can survive without water if kept in plastic or a closed jar for several days

Pet Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Air Purifier: Moderate

Habit: Mounded

Growth Rate: Slow

Mature Height: 8-12 inches

Mature Spread: 8-12 inches

Flowering: No

Flower Color(s): None

Flower Shade/Description: Grown for Foliage

Fragrant: No

Foliage Type:

Foliage Color(s): Green

Foliage Description: Green

Temperature: Below 40 °F (Below 4 )

Humidity: Average (40% - 60%)

Common Name: Marimo Ball

Other Name(s): Marimo Balls

Scientific Name: Aegagropila linnaei

Plant Type: House Plant

SKU:: Aqua_Marimo--HP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.

We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

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Marimo Ball