Marimo Moss Ball: Ultimate Care Guide and Facts for Your Water Pet (Aegagropila linnaei)

Commonly known as Marimo Moss balls, Aegagropila linnaei (Cladophora algae) are intriguing aquatic plants. Not only alluring with their lush green appearance, but their deep-rooted history in folklore across the whole globe, make them exceptional.

This comprehensive guide will tell you the story of moss balls and explain how to look after them in the best way.

Marimo’s Global Habitats: From Japan to Scotland

The unique Marimo moss balls trace their origins to the freshwater lakes of countries like Japan, Estonia, Iceland, Russia and Scotland. Their formation is the art of nature; fragments of the algae Aegagropila linnaei are swirled around by water currents, on the bottom of cold lakes, gradually taking on the iconic spherical shape over time. They are creating lush green, velvety balls which everyone loves.

Folklore and Legends: Marimo Moss Mystical Aura

The Japanese Tale of Eternal Love

In Japan, there are legends about two young lovers: a beautiful tribe chief daughter and a handsome commoner who fall in forbidden love. When understood that their families won’t let them be together,  they found solace in becoming Marimo, forever floating together in lake waters. This story enhances their reputation as symbols of eternal love and commitment.

Icelandic Echoes of Undying Affection

Like Japanese legends, Icelandic stories also paint Marimo balls as a symbol of two lovers who couldn’t be together during their human life. Their souls, intertwined forever, found a resting place in these green velvety balls, symbolizing everlasting love, happiness and perseverance.

Perfect For Beginners and Busy People

With their low-maintenance nature, moss balls are the perfect plant companions for novices. Their resilience and ability to thrive with minimal care make them a favourite among seasoned plant enthusiasts. No need for direct sunlight, just occasional water changes and gentle rotations to ensure their health.

Gifts Symbolizing Longevity, Love, and Prosperity

Moss balls have grown in popularity as thoughtful gifts, particularly for housewarming celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries or wedding gifts. Given their association with long life, happiness, and deep-seated love, gifting a Marimo is akin to bestowing wishes of enduring joy and prosperity.

With their low-maintenance nature, moss balls are the perfect plant companions for novices. Their resilience and ability to thrive with minimal care make them a favourite among seasoned plant enthusiasts. No need for direct sunlight, just occasional water changes and gentle rotations to ensure their health.

These fascinating green balls are often treated as aquatic pets, especially for younger and older children. Creating their own Marimo Moss balls container with stones and shells, and watching the gentle growth of Marimo Moss Balls can be incredibly fulfilling and teach children the responsibility to change water regularly. Those cute balls are much easier to care for than fish or a dog but also can bring lots of happiness.

Marimo Moss Balls Care

Feeding: Marimo Moss Balls sustain themselves through photosynthesis, meaning they don’t require additional food. By absorbing light, they generate their energy.

Light: Provide indirect sunlight. If the moss balls start turning brown, they might be receiving too much light.

Water: Keep moss balls in cold, freshwater with a pH of 6.0-8.0. Replace the water every two weeks or when the water looks dirty.

Oxygen: If you keeping moss balls in a closed container, open it regularly to provide access to fresh air.

Keep the shape: Gently roll them in your hands every now and then to maintain the round shape.

Propagation: Mature moss balls can produce smaller buds, producing more moss balls. These ‘nano’ balls can be cultivated into independent entities. Marimo moss can be also propagated by division, the ball can be cut into smaller pieces and rolled in hands to form mini balls. 

Check our care guide for more Marimo Moss Balls tips and troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Marimo Moss balls with their mystical aura of legends, unusual look and hassle-free care are perfect for plant beginners, busy people or even children. Those beautiful water creatures make perfect gifts and are available with next-day delivery from our website. Delivered right to your door in a beautiful glass container with a selection of stones, shells and illustrated instructions. Never was easier to get one for yourself or for somebody important in your life.