r/Marimo Sep 01 '23

r/marimo Newcomers guide!

184 Upvotes

Hello, and welcome to r/marimo!

This subreddit is dedicated to spreading knowledge about these endangered plants, promoting conservation efforts, and encouraging healthy hobby cultivation of Marimo.

“Marimo” ( 毬藻 まりも ) translates literally to “Ball Water Plant” in Japanese. While a decent description of them, these slow-growing fuzzy friends are actually balls of an endangered algae (Aegagropila linnaei) that form at the bottom of cold-water lakes (originally discovered in Austria, and then in Lake Akan, Japan, where they were named.) They are a protected species in both Japan and Iceland.

They were designated a Japanese National Treasure in 1921, and a festival has been held since 1950 in the Lake Akan community to raise awareness and try and preserve the unique algae species.

While harvesting from the lake is specifically prohibited, you can snag some of these fuzzy friends for yourself! They're very easy to take care of, but do require specific conditions to grow (low to medium light conditions, and cold water.) While not a 100% forget-and-enjoy plant, they are normally very low maintenance.

A Wiki will soon be developed with reliable sources for Marimo, as well as the best way to care for them- Information to be added to this thread soon!

Again, welcome to r/Marimo!

Livestream/Video resource:

u/Prepperpup offers a livestream of the marimo balls they're cultivating with some Lo-Fi music. They are open to any suggestions or messages. (They run a gaming channel in addition to the Marimo livestream.)

https://www.youtube.com/@MarimoBallLive


r/Marimo 1d ago

Was feeling spendyyyyyy

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188 Upvotes

Having a manic episode and bought this on a whim…. Anyone knows what I what I should expect? Did I waste my money? I can’t even find a review for it 🥲🙃🥲🙃🥲


r/Marimo 3h ago

In need of little help

2 Upvotes

Hello!

I was gifted a marimo a couple of months ago and till now it was all good. Recently I noticed that it started to get some brownish spots. Maybe it's becouse the weather is hot now? I tried to keep it in the coolest room. Should I put it in the fridge?

It's the first marimo I'm taking care off and I'm not sure what to do.


r/Marimo 1d ago

I got my marimos today!

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61 Upvotes

Hi! New marimo owner! 😂

I've wanted some for years, but never got any myself. I told someone a couple of weeks ago about how much I'd been wanting some, and a few days later they said they found someone who sold them in pairs in a little jar, and asked if I wanted some. Of course I said yes! She picked them up just over a week ago and has been holding onto them since, and brought them round for me today!

I got a tank rather than the jars because there was no room to roll them in the jars, they were kinda squished, and the jars were so tall I couldn't reach down to grab them easily, my fingers weren't long enough and they were way to narrow to fit a hand in. So now they have a more spacious tank of their own!

Also I thought I was getting 4, turns out there's 5 and one is just very small!

I know they aren't perfectly round, but I love them! Hopefully I can encourage their roundness by rolling them!

Any tips to help them with their roundness is appreciated! And any other helpful tips too! They're already away from direct sunlight, and there's a thermometer on the right so I can make sure it doesn't get too warm for them 😊💚


r/Marimo 2d ago

would it be possible to make a marimo aquatic terrarium?

2 Upvotes

I think marimo moss balls are pretty cool but I also can't help but think they look a little silly just as a green ball in a jar. I was wondering if I could give one some other plant buddies to make it a little more visually interesting, but I'm not sure if that would work. There isn't much info online about terrariums that aren't soil-based (I guess because the purpose of most aquariums is to have fish) and I also don't know how replacing the water would fit into all of this (would I still be able to? Would I need to? etc). If not, does anyone have any ideas on any decoration? Maybe just put a few pretty rocks and sticks in there?


r/Marimo 3d ago

Buying marimo in Canada

7 Upvotes

Hey guys! I recently discovered these little guys, and I’m absolutely in love. I found a reputable site, however when I went to pay, the shipping was over $70😬 (US based) My question is, what reputable sites should I be checking out, and are there any in Canada? I don’t mind paying a little extra, I just don’t want to accidentally get scammed! Thanks in advance ❤️


r/Marimo 3d ago

Preservation/sealed container

2 Upvotes

Hello! Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question, I tried researching/searching this sub and couldn’t find a straight answer. Basically, I wanted to put a teeny tiny marimo ball in a little glass (cork-sealed) charm to put on a necklace as a gift. Is there a way to do this without the marimo ball dying/will the water still have to be changed? Is there a different substance (glycerin maybe??) I could fill the charm with to just keep the marimo in perpetual stasis? I’m fully prepared to be told that this is impossible lol but figured it was worth asking. Ty for any input!!


r/Marimo 4d ago

Weird cloudy moss?

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15 Upvotes

Hi! I bought these on a whim a year ago and have been caring for them for a while but I've recently noticed this weird green blob around them before changing their water. Any help with what to do and if this would harm my balls? I change their water every week or 2 weeks, depending on if their water looks "dirty" and put plant feed in there every water change.

(Side note, the largest one has a name, Jimbob, and he arguably gets the most care, so we are most worried for him)

Thank you to any advice or help!


r/Marimo 8d ago

My first little setup!

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17 Upvotes

They are so cute and small 😭


r/Marimo 9d ago

morning jogs

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79 Upvotes

r/Marimo 10d ago

Since you all liked the “Bondage” balls…

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291 Upvotes

I’m just putting this here for a couple of laughs. I was looking for a cage that someone recommended to help the balls roll and not be smooshed and I saw one of the pictures and I absolutely started laughing. Thinking of all your comments the part of this that made me laugh was “ it transforms humble moss into charming moss balls”
Soooo not only does the moss ball get kinky in a cage, but it also gets behavioral management. 🤣🤭🤣🤭


r/Marimo 10d ago

Maromo Get By

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28 Upvotes

Just drop a quick line - It's been very hot in London UK recently, yet my marimo are getting by. I hope yours are doing OK, too.


r/Marimo 11d ago

Projet marimo

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126 Upvotes

Hello, I wanted to share my project of quarantine and care for plants. it's a tank with a pump made from an airtight Tupperware on which I plugged the outlet in a round jar to be able to take care of my marimo which tended to peel. What do you think? Good evening


r/Marimo 10d ago

There's a pretty hot weather

1 Upvotes

Hey, first post here. I got gifted two cute marimos one month ago, and I took care of em the ways I saw described here and there on the internet, but after a while, like a week ago, i started seeing both of em slightly more pale and a bit brown shaded. Not so much but i still got worried. I understood that I should worry less of the light they receive (at first I did pretty much) and more of the temperature, coz it's summer here and we often hit 35°C in afternoon. I keep ac in my room at 27 but i understood it's still too hot for them.

I wondered, is it better if I put these poor creatures in the fridge every night, so that they can get the daylight afterwards? Or in the afternoon so they get shielded by extreme heat and get enough light in the morning? Or is using fridge too often not a good solution?


r/Marimo 10d ago

My water turned brownish

2 Upvotes

Hi there! I'm new here and I just got my first marimos a week ago. I put them in a recipient with some decorative rocks and plastic figures (previously washed) and cold water.

This morning, I woke up and noticed that my water was kind of brown/green toned while the other marimos in my house (my siblings') had clear water.

I rushed to change the water and noticed the old water was warm so I put a couple of ice cubes in the new water.

My marimos didn't smell weird when I rinsed them, but I also have to mention that I kept them in my room, which gets a lot of light (despite having the blinds midway down and having the recipient on a not so direct spot).

Could it be because of the light? I dont want my little mossballs to die😞😅


r/Marimo 11d ago

Ancient photo of my beta fish who made a Marimo his home

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32 Upvotes

Fish was 3 years old at the time, not very well cared for sadly as my 12y/o self did not know better


r/Marimo 12d ago

“Bondage” time length?

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1.4k Upvotes

I just recently got my Marimo there’s a couple of them that have become very loose and one larger one actually fell apart/exploded. So after seeing that a lot of people use dental floss to roll them up or contain them I’d like to know some more information about that and how long I leave the wrap on for. I am using unwaxed unflavored dental floss and I wrapped it in equally spaced wrap sections. Also since many felt loose I just did a mass treatment and wrapped them all. They are also in the fridge right now as it is very hot here this week, East Texas. I’ll include a photo and look forward to any and all help you have to offer.

Thank you

EDIT: Thank you all so very much! The comments were better than the intent of this post. 😁👍🏻🤭


r/Marimo 11d ago

Marimo help

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25 Upvotes

Hello!

I was recently gifted four wonderful Marimos for my birthday. They were all healthy and round when they arrived. I am keeping them in a glass jar with cold water which I put in the fridge on days where it gets too hot.

Today I was changing their water/cleaning them and one of my moss boys just kinda fell apart and looks kinda sickly (see pictures). Is there anything I can do to help him become round and healthy again? I am keeping him in a seperate jar from the other Marimos for now.

Thank you :)


r/Marimo 12d ago

Found this old jar for my marimo!

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53 Upvotes

I got him about a month ago, he's about 2 inches. The bottom are river rocks sold at Lowes, and I've been using distilled water because our sink water is disturbingly bad lol.


r/Marimo 12d ago

Hey everyone

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68 Upvotes

I just discovered this subreddit and I'm so excited to find some like-minded people.

For my birthday in May, I finally made my dream come true and got some marimos.

I'll share a look at where my little moss balls live with you all.

If I'm doing anything wrong, please let me know!


r/Marimo 14d ago

Where to start

9 Upvotes

I’ve seen a lot about Marimos lately and think they are the most precious looking little things, but have no clue where to begin! People talk about starting one from scratch, but I’ve also seen sites for buying them? Any help is appreciated


r/Marimo 15d ago

Taqueria shop marimo

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61 Upvotes

We love our local taqueria spot, and the man who works there is an absolute gem. I just knew he would be the perfect person to gift a marimo to, and he has taken such good care of it. This is probably around 6 months of growth! It's so happy in his care, and he talks to all his plants every day.

It is literally such a pleasure to pick up food and visit him and his little green friend! Last time I came (first picture), it was propped up on a coffee mug so everyone could see! Or maybe to give the marimo a better view, not sure.. He has the care card propped up as well so when people ask about it, he can tell them. 🥹❤️

Also I'm guessing the basil leaf probably fell off so he put it on top of the jar, like a little hat, and I'm so glad we ordered food at the perfect time to witness it.


r/Marimo 17d ago

The Bigger, The Better?

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118 Upvotes

I think so!

As I’ve mentioned in other threads, I highly recommend buying the biggest Marimo you can find. I’ve seen so many cases where people buy nano-sized ones, expect them to grow quickly like tulips or crocuses, and then get discouraged by how incredibly slow they actually grow. In the worst-case scenarios, they just lose interest and end up neglecting them (though, to be fair, taking care of giant Marimos is no walk in the park either! 😅).

The one in the photo was about 7 cm (2.75 inches) when I bought it back in 2019, and now in 2026, it has grown to around 8 cm (3.15 inches). Compared to the tiny ones, it definitely makes a much better eye-catcher in the tank!


r/Marimo 17d ago

advice caring for marimos

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17 Upvotes

hello everybody this is my first post here, i have 4 marimos 1 has split which i have tied up with a rubber band to try to help it keep its shape, some backstory i bought these about 2 1/2 years ago for my bettas fish tank, he died a few months back and i moved them from the tank to this glass vase and im not sure im taking care of them properly due to the one falling apart . can anyone please give me tips and advice on how to properly care for my marimos! also in the first pics there is a lot of like debris in my vase and i just cleaned their water a week ago does anyone know what that is from? thank you!


r/Marimo 17d ago

Having too many Marimo, I don’t know what to do now _(:_」∠)_

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2 Upvotes