Summary: Many algae are auxotrophs for vitamin B ₁₂ (cobalamin), which they need as a cofactor for B ₁₂ ‐dependent methionine synthase (METH). Because only prokaryotes can synthesize the cobalamin, they must be the ultimate source of the vitamin. In the laboratory, a direct interaction between algae and heterotrophic bacteria has been shown, with bacteria supplying cobalamin in exchange for fixed carbon. Here we establish a system to study this interaction at the molecular level. In a culture of a B ₁₂ ‐dependent green alga Chlamydomonas nivalis , we found a contaminating bacterium, identified by 16S rRNA analysis as Mesorhizobium sp. Using the sequenced strain of M. loti (MAFF303099), we found that it was able to support the growth of B ₁₂ ‐dependent Lobomonas rostrata , another green alga, in return for fixed carbon. The two organisms form a stable equilibrium in terms of population numbers, which is maintained over many generations in semi‐continuous culture, indicating a degree of regulation. However, addition of either vitamin B ₁₂ or a carbon source for the bacteria perturbs the equilibrium, demonstrating that the symbiosis is mutualistic and facultative. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii does not require B ₁₂ for growth because it encodes a B ₁₂ ‐independent methionine synthase, METE, the gene for which is suppressed by addition of exogenous B ₁₂ . Co‐culturing C. reinhardtii with M. loti also results in reduction of METE expression, demonstrating that the bacterium can deliver the vitamin to this B ₁₂ ‐independent alga. We discuss the implications of this for the widespread distribution of cobalamin auxotrophy in the algal kingdom.