Marimo (scientific name Cladophora aegagropila) is an aquatic plant made up of thousands of individual algae filaments that grow together to form a ball. Marimo naturally develop a round shape, although they often become somewhat oval or otherwise imperfect in shape.
Under ideal conditions in the wild, they can reproduce quite quickly. Each marimo can release around 10 small clumps of algae over the course of a year. These clumps slowly but surely grow into new marimo. They can live to a remarkably old age, and there are likely marimo on our planet that are more than 100 years old.
Growth rate
All marimo grow very slowly, at a rate of approximately 0.5 cm in diameter per year. However, the larger a marimo becomes, the slower its growth rate. Very old marimo can therefore reach truly impressive sizes.
The first records of marimo
Marimo were first discovered and scientifically described in Lake Zell (Zeller See) in Austria. However, their distribution extends across almost the entire world. They can be found from Japan to Iceland, Scotland, Estonia, and, of course, Austria.
Growing marimo
Marimo are one of the easiest plants to care for in the world. Algae are known for their ability to survive in extreme conditions, and marimo are no exception. As long as you don’t let the water in their home completely evaporate, they are incredibly easy to care for. They will usually be perfectly fine even if you occasionally forget to change the water.
With just a few simple precautions, marimo can even withstand transport lasting several weeks. We place water-soaked marimo in resealable bags that seal tightly and prevent any moisture from escaping. This allows us to guarantee safe delivery of your plants with complete confidence.
Marimo can happily live in water with a temperature of 1–25 °C, while they can also survive complete freezing and temperatures well above 25 °C without permanent damage. However, the warmer the water, the faster microorganisms multiply in it, causing the water to deteriorate more quickly and making it necessary to replace it with fresh water.
All marimo need to thrive is regularly changed water (once every 1–2 weeks) and gentle light. This makes them an ideal plant for virtually any home or office.
If you want to give your marimo a little extra luxury, you can gently roll and massage them underwater in a sink whenever you change the water. Not only does this help wash away dirt, but it also gives your marimo a little extra love that they need to thrive. 💚
Where can I keep my marimo?
There is a simple answer: anywhere that holds water and allows some light to reach it. Our jars are an ideal choice. However, keep in mind that marimo do not like too much light. We therefore recommend choosing a spot away from direct sunlight and not too close to a window.
Want to keep your marimo in an aquarium with fish? You can, but there are a few rules to follow. Learn more about keeping marimo with fish in our article.
Marimo – a beautiful decoration
On your desk at work, in a child’s room, or perhaps in the living room, marimo make a beautiful and original decoration. Wherever you place them, marimo add a touch of life to the space and bring a smile to everyone around them.
For the best decorative effect, we don’t recommend keeping marimo in ordinary preserving jars or wine glasses. They truly shine when displayed in jars specially designed for marimo.
Marimo can float on the surface of the water
It is perfectly normal for marimo to sometimes float near the surface and at other times rest on the bottom. It is not a disease or a defect. It is simply caused by gases that build up inside or on the surface of the marimo.
In the wild, however, this can actually help marimo survive. Learn more in our article: Why do marimo float?
