Broadleaf Arrowhead
Sagittaria latifolia
Zones 4–10
Growing
Growing Broadleaf Arrowhead is a rewarding endeavor for those with a pond or a water feature, as this species thrives in environments with constant moisture and can easily tolerate very wet soil. Rather than starting from seed, you will establish this plant by planting tubers, bulbs, or crowns directly into your aquatic setting. Because it is a wetland species, it is best suited for locations where the substrate remains saturated, mimicking its natural habitat in marshes and shallow waters.
When managing your aquatic garden, keep in mind that this plant is often referred to by several names, including wapato, duck potato, or Indian potato. If you are cultivating it for its edible tubers, you are following a long tradition of use by Native Americans. While the foliage is striking, the true interest lies beneath the surface. Ensure your planting area provides the heavy, damp conditions this species requires to develop its characteristic underground structures.
| Sun | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | high |
| Grow time | >150 days |
| Height | 3–6ft |
| Spacing | >24in |
| Full sun | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Part shade | ✓ |
| Shade | ✓ |
| Life cycle | perennial |
|---|---|
| Category | root |
| Growth habit | rosette |
| Season | warm |
| Frost tolerance | hardy |
| Height | 3–6ft |
| Spacing | over 24in |
| Days to maturity | over 150 |
| Days to bloom | over 150 |
| Native us | ✓ |
| Water | high |
|---|---|
| Drainage | wet tolerant |
| Soil ph min | 6.0 |
| Soil ph max | 7.5 |
| Propagation | |
| Seed | ✓ |
| Cutting | ✗ |
| Division | ✓ |
| Graft | ✗ |
| Tuber bulb crown | ✓ |
| Transplant | ✓ |
| Container ok | ✓ |
| Pollination | self fertile |
| Pollinator friendly | ✓ |
| Toxic parts | |
| Leaves | ✗ |
| Seeds | ✗ |
| Raw | ✓ |
| Spread | runners |
| Deer resistant | — |
| Drought tolerant | ✗ |
| Toxic to | |
| People | ✗ |
| Pets | — |
| Livestock | ✗ |
| Wash before storing | ✗ |
|---|---|
| Ripens off plant | ✗ |
| Curing days | none |
| Shelf life | over 3mo |
| Storage methods | |
| Room temp | ✓ |
| Cool dark | ✓ |
| Fridge | ✗ |
| Freeze | ✓ |
| Can | ✓ |
| Dry | ✓ |
| Ferment pickle | ✓ |
| Blanch before freezing | — |
| Length | 6–12wk |
|---|---|
| Colors | |
| White | ✓ |
| Yellow | ✗ |
| Orange | ✗ |
| Red | ✗ |
| Pink | ✗ |
| Purple | ✗ |
| Blue | ✗ |
| Green | ✗ |
| Fragrant | ✗ |
| Reblooms | ✗ |
| Deadhead | ✗ |
| Cut flower | ✗ |
| Dried flower | ✗ |
| Status | none |
|---|---|
| Regions | |
| Northeast | ✗ |
| Southeast | ✗ |
| Midwest | ✗ |
| Plains | ✗ |
| Southwest | ✗ |
| Mountain west | ✗ |
| Pacific northwest | ✗ |
| California | ✗ |
| Hawaii | ✗ |
| State noxious | ✗ |
| Escapes cultivation | ✗ |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Harvest | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |