Can I grow this in a standard garden bed?

No, it requires constant moisture and is best suited for pond margins or bog gardens.

How deep should I plant it?

Place the crown in shallow water, ideally 5 to 15 centimeters deep.

Plant guide

Arrowhead.

Sagittaria sagittifolia

Pronounced saj-ih-TARE-ee-uh saj-ih-tih-FOE-lee-uh

Also known as Arrowhead, Giant Sag, Giant Sagittaria, Hawaii Arrowhead, Old World arrowhead

The arrowhead is a charming aquatic plant that thrives in shallow water or boggy soil. It is well known for its distinct, arrow shaped leaves that rise above the water surface. You will find it adds a nice touch to pond edges or water gardens.

Another photo of Arrowhead — Photo by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Aquatic perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every day
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 10
Bloom time: Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil or growing medium constantly saturated as this plant loves being submerged. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal that the water level has dropped too low. It is a vigorous grower so keep an eye on it to make sure it does not crowd out other plants.

Watering: The soil must remain completely waterlogged or submerged at all times.
Feeding: Use an aquatic plant fertilizer tablet pushed into the soil once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any dead or decaying foliage to keep the water clean and prevent rot.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound in its container, typically every year or two.
Soil: Heavy clay or aquatic soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: -29 to 30°C
Humidity: 70 to 100%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing through the drainage holes
Reduced flowering
Plant becoming overcrowded in the container

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans when prepared correctly.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is not inherently dangerous, but children should be supervised around water features to prevent accidental drowning.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: The tubers are edible when cooked thoroughly, but raw consumption is not recommended due to potential bitterness and digestive irritation.

How to identify it

Distinctive arrow shaped leaves
White flowers with purple centers
Grows in shallow water
Fibrous root system
Stems are triangular in cross section

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: bright green, deciduous
Flowers: white, purple, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: green, brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Algae OvergrowthCommon
AphidsCommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: In cold climates, ensure the crown remains submerged below the ice line to prevent freezing. If the pond is shallow, move the container to a deeper area or a frost free garage.
In containers: It grows well in containers placed in a pond, provided the pot is submerged at the correct depth.

Division

1. Carefully lift the plant from the mud in early spring.
2. Separate the rhizomes or tubers using a sharp, clean knife.
3. Replant the divisions immediately into fresh aquatic soil.

Group these with other marginal aquatic plants to create a layered look that mimics a natural wetland edge.

Grows well with

Pickerelweed · It shares similar water depth requirements and offers a nice contrast in leaf shape.
Cattail · It provides a vertical structural element that complements the low growing arrowhead.

Similar species

Broadleaf Arrowhead · It is a North American native that looks very similar but is often more vigorous.

Science

Family: Alismataceae
Genus: Sagittaria
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Europe and temperate Asia.
Conservation: It is common in its native range and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in nutrient rich, slow moving or stagnant freshwater habitats where it can root in soft mud.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for aquatic life
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental pond plant, edible tubers, water garden accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a standard garden bed?: No, it requires constant moisture and is best suited for pond margins or bog gardens.
How deep should I plant it?: Place the crown in shallow water, ideally 5 to 15 centimeters deep.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Sagittaria comes from the Latin word for arrow, referring to the leaf shape, while the species name sagittifolia means arrow leaved.

Good to know

The tubers were historically cultivated as a food source in parts of Asia.
The plant is a prolific grower and can quickly colonize shallow water areas.
It is often called arrowhead due to the distinct shape of its aerial leaves.

Keep your arrowhead growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.