Moss Ball Pets
4.9 out of 5 (49 experiences)
Survivor
Also known as
Marimo, Marimo, Marimo Moss Ball, Lake Ball and Marimo Moss Balls
Taxonomy
Aegagropila linnaei
Aegagropila
Pithophoraceae
Cladophorales
How to care for Moss Ball Pets
Water
How often to water your Moss Ball Pets
every 7
Moss Ball Pets needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
7
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Marimo in your home
a window
Moss Ball Pets may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Moss Ball Pets in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Moss Ball Pets
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Moss Ball Pets after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
Moss Ball Pets is sensitive to dry soil and should be watered frequently. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Moss Ball Pets may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Moss Ball Pets enjoys lots of humidity. Provide humidity for your plant by watering regularly and thoroughly, since plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves. They may also benefit from being placed next to a humidifier.
Soil
Moss Ball Pets does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Moss Ball Pets grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Native Region
Moss Ball Pets is native to waters of northern Europe and Japan.
Care Summary for Moss Ball Pets
Moss Ball Pets
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 7 days
Placement
< 3ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 33
Fast grower 6
Easy to propagate 5
Blooms easily 1
Large, lush leaves 1
Pest magnet 1
12/06/2021
Adorable
09/01/2021
very easy to look after
08/30/2021
Easy to care for
Easy to propagate
Survivor
08/15/2021
Takes little to no work to sustain just some water changes and daily/weekly stirs.
Survivor
08/10/2021
A moss ball/marimo is a very good plant for beginner plant caretakers! They are easy to take care of and a nice plant to have in the home.
Survivor
Easy to propagate
07/31/2021
Such cute water buddies. These guys were my gateway to plant care (& bettas). Easy to care for and super fun to look at.
Survivor
07/16/2021
they’re kind of like pet rocks !! so cute
06/21/2021
A marimo moss ball is extremely difficult to kill. It’s basically a pet rock. All you have to do is give it fresh water once a week and keep it far away from direct sunlight.
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
06/16/2021
It’s such an easy plant to look after. As long as you don’t put it in direct sunlight and keep it in cold water then you are all good.
Survivor
06/11/2021
•loves cold water and low light
•change out water when remember to to stop carbon build up
05/29/2021
This pet is amazing
Blooms easily
Fast grower
05/24/2021
great for when you want a plant that basically takes care of itself, just add water when it’s low and that’s all you need
05/23/2021
Super easy, little care and so cute!
Survivor
Fast grower
05/21/2021
if it starts to brown, sprinkle some salt into the water!
Survivor
05/20/2021
It’s just a lil moss guy who sits on my desk! I love him. Change the water once a week but it’s not picky.
Survivor
05/18/2021
idk why but she is so cute and it’s literally just a plant anyway you should get her because she’s really really easy to take care of. cuz she just sits there😃.
05/11/2021
they are super easy to take care of and really cute
Survivor
05/10/2021
Great beginner “plant”. Pretty nice and requires little maintenance compared to others. Great to teach kids responsibility as a “pet” also I’ve seen people put little hats on them and decorate their containers ♥️♥️♥️
05/06/2021
doesn’t really do much but helps aerate water. i have one in my fish tank (non toxic) and some in my water propagations. they themselves are so easy to propagate, you just pull them apart. just don’t have it in direct sunlight :)
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
05/05/2021
They are super easy plants; all they need is very cold water, a glass container of some sort, no direct sunlight (or else they start to brown and smell bad) and a stir every once in a while (to mimic they being rolled by the water and waves). They are also very cute! They need like little to no attention. 😊
Survivor
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