The Marimo D.6 cm is one of the most fascinating, mysterious, and unique living beings in the world. With its 25 cm tall container and a green algae sphere of approximately 6 cm in diameter, this small masterpiece of nature brings an authentic piece of Japan into your home: a velvety, perfectly spherical green algae ball, intensely bright green, that lives and slowly grows in water like a small green planet suspended. A living being that doesn't need soil, a pot, or fertilizer - just water and light. The most zen, most minimalist, and most surprising plant that exists.
Key features:
-
Organism: Aegagropila linnaei (Marimo - spherical filamentous algae)
-
Marimo sphere diameter: approximately 6 cm
-
Container height: 25 cm
-
Habitat: Aquatic - lives completely submerged in fresh water
-
Color: Intense bright green, velvety to the touch
-
Growth: Very slow - approximately 5 mm per year in optimal conditions
-
Ideal for: Desk, shelf, bathroom, original and long-lasting gift
-
Care level: Very easy - almost completely autonomous
What is Marimo: the Japanese legend of the green sphere:
The Marimo (Aegagropila linnaei) is not a plant in the traditional sense: it is a filamentous algae that, thanks to the water currents in the lakes where it lives, rolls up on itself to form perfectly round spheres of extraordinary beauty. In Japan, where it is considered a national treasure and a good luck charm, the Marimo is the protagonist of a romantic legend: it is said that two young lovers, forbidden to be together, threw themselves into Lake Akan, and their hearts transformed into Marimo spheres, destined to grow together forever in the lake's waters. Since then, the Marimo has been considered a symbol of eternal love, good fortune, and longevity in Japan.
Why Marimo is unique in the world of houseplants:
-
Lives in water - no substrate, no pot, no fertilizer: just fresh water
-
Almost completely autonomous - requires very little care, ideal for those who travel or forget to water
-
Very long-lived - can live for decades, even centuries, with minimal care
-
Grows slowly - its very slow growth (5 mm/year) makes it a being of extraordinary patience and longevity
-
Produces oxygen - like all algae, it produces oxygen through photosynthesis, contributing to air quality
-
Velvety and soft - its surface is surprisingly soft and pleasant to the touch
-
Japanese good luck charm - a symbol of eternal love, good fortune, and longevity in Japanese culture
Marimo and Wabi-Sabi philosophy:
The Marimo perfectly embodies the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi - beauty in imperfection, simplicity, and transience. Its almost perfectly spherical but not geometrically exact shape, its intense but not uniform green, its very slow but inexorable growth: everything about Marimo speaks of an authentic, natural, and profound beauty that needs no artifice. Placing a Marimo on your desk or shelf means bringing a piece of this philosophy into your home: a daily reminder of the beauty of simplicity and patience.
Marimo care - very simple:
Water: Tap water at room temperature (let stand for 24 hours to remove chlorine) or natural mineral water. Change the water every 1-2 weeks in summer, every 2-4 weeks in winter. Marimo prefers fresh water: ideal between 15°C and 22°C.
Light: Moderate indirect light. Avoid direct sun which can cause unwanted algae growth and damage the Marimo. Ideal near a window with filtered light or in an environment with moderate artificial light.
Maintenance: Gently rotate the Marimo every time you change the water to ensure uniform growth on all sides. If the Marimo loses its spherical shape, gently roll it between the palms of your hands to help it regain it.
Signs of well-being: A healthy Marimo floats or sinks slowly, is an intense bright green, and has a velvety surface. If it turns brown or gray, it might be receiving too much direct light or the water might be too warm.
The most original and long-lasting gift:
The Marimo D.6 H.25 cm is the most original, surprising, and long-lasting gift that exists: a living being that can accompany its owner for decades, almost completely autonomous, rich in meaning and history. Perfect for any occasion - birthday, Valentine's Day (symbol of eternal love), housewarming, gift for colleagues or friends passionate about nature and Japanese design.
Extraordinary curiosities:
- The Marimo grows only 5 mm per year: a 6 cm sphere took about 12 years to reach this size
- The largest known Marimo have diameters greater than 30 cm and estimated ages of over 200 years
- Lake Akan in Hokkaido, Japan, is one of the few places in the world where Marimo grows naturally in a spherical shape
- In Japan, the Marimo has been protected by law as a national natural monument since 1921
- The word Marimo in Japanese literally means "ball-plant of water" (mari = ball, mo = aquatic plant)
- The Marimo can survive for weeks without light and for months without water changes - it's almost indestructible
Important note: The Marimo is a unique living being. Dimensions and shape may vary slightly from specimen to specimen. Images are illustrative and not binding.
The Marimo D.6 H.25 cm is much more than an aquatic plant: it is a piece of Japanese nature, a symbol of eternal love and longevity, a living being of extraordinary patience and beauty that brings zen, wonder, and a touch of magic to any space.
