Marimo Moss Ball in a Little Bottle 12cm Tall

Marimo Moss isn’t really a moss, it is a phenomenon of algae where it grows in a ball shape from the inside out! This naturally grows in fresh water lakes in Scotland, Estonia, Iceland, Japan and Australia.

There is a history of wonder and lore with Marimo Moss balls. The legend goes that two lovers who were forbidden together fell into a lake and their hearts turned into Marimo Moss! So now Marimo is said to bring your heart’s desire to both the giver and recipient of one.

You will receive one glass jar with cork lid, a marimo moss ball and small stones for the base. We may send the item disassembled for you to put together.

Marimo also lives for an extremely long time, possibly over 100 years. And they are super easy to care for.

Video shows water change in a 14cm bottle

Care Instructions

• Light
  • Try not to keep in direct light. The glass will warm the water (remember they live in cool lakes) and too much direct light may turn the ball brown. These balls love low light space and should do fine next to even just artificial light.
• Changing the Water
  • Change the water every one or two weeks with regular tap water. It is best if you let the water sit out for a day first. In the summer you may have to change it a little more often as the heat will evaporate water faster.
  • If algae starts to build up in the bottle just clean it gently with a brush (a clean toothbrush may work)
• Browning
  • If the Marimo ball is turning brown, try moving it to a darker and cooler location. You may be able to recover the ball by adding a little bit of aquarium ocean salt.

Plant Pro Tips

• If your moss ball is floating, it probably has a trapped air bubble. Give it a gently squeeze to pop it and it will sink back down.
• To help maintain the round shape, emulate the movement of water in the lake by gently agitating the water in the bottle so the ball rest on a different side.
• Marimo balls can be used safely in freshwater aquariums, but some fish love to peck at the ball as it is tasty algae so you have been warned!

Please note: If you choose or need to dispose of your moss ball for any reason, please do so responsibly. We have heard of people flushing them down the toilet and this can lead to environmental issues. Please put it in a sealed bag and then in your normal waste.