WHAT IS MARIMO?

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Cladophora ball "Aegagropila linnae"

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A marimo ball is a rare growth form of algae, which grows into large green balls with a soft, velvety appearance. They are native to Japan where they naturally grow at Lake Akan in Hokkaido. They are also found in Iceland ,Estonia and scotland. They can grow patches on a lake floor at depths from 2 to 2.5 m. The round shape of the marimo is maintained by wave action that turns it.

In Japan the marimo has said to be a national treasure and considered a lucky charm.

They were named by the Japanese botanist "Tatsuhiko Kawakami". Mari means bouncy ball and Mo is a term for plants that grow in water. So , marimo means bouncy plant. People often mistake them for living animals (or a pet) because they are usually moving around in the tank.

Marimo will grow in tap water at room temperature as long as the water is changed every one or two weeks.
The growth rate of Marimo is about 5 mm per year and can grow particularly large up to 20–30 cm (8–12 inches). They can live to be over 100 years old!.

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