Marimo moss ball care guide
Aegagropila linnaei
Also known as: Lake ball, Cladophora aegagropila
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Marimo moss ball
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 7 days
- Read watering as a water change: as a guide, replace all the water about once a week, and more often in summer when it warms up.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 10 days
- With cooler water, a change about every ten days is enough.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 14 days
- Cold water stays fresh longer, so change it about every two weeks.
Light and placement for Marimo moss ball
As a guide, a bright room out of direct sun; it generally lives on ordinary room light, while direct sun at a window warms the water and turns it brown.
Overwintering Marimo moss ball
Overwintering guide: 0°C (32°F) or above
An alga from cold lakes, so winter cold is generally no problem as long as the water does not freeze; as a guide, keep it away from a heater's blast and from a window that heats up during the day.
Fertilizing and repotting Marimo moss ball
Fertilizer
As a guide, no fertilizer: tap water generally supplies what it needs, and feeding just clouds the water and grows algae.
When to repot
Repotting is not normally needed
Common problems with Marimo moss ball
- Summer water above about 25°C turns it brown.
- Direct sun at a window damages it.
- Without water changes the water clouds and slime or other algae take over.
Tips for growing Marimo moss ball
- Rolling it gently between your palms at each water change keeps it round.
- If it floats, trapped gas is the cause; a gentle squeeze sinks it again.
- On the hottest summer days, resting it in its container in the refrigerator's vegetable drawer for a few days is one option.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
