The approximately 40 species of the genus Arrowhead belong to the family of frogspoon plants, as does the related genus of frogspoon. They are all marsh and aquatic plants that are also suitable for planting in garden ponds.

The arrowhead is a beautiful option for garden pond and aquarium planting

Edible species of arrowhead

Some species of arrowhead form edible tubers. The usable species include, for example, Sagittaria graminea and Sagittaria cuneata, but above all Sagittaria sagittifolia. In some Asian shops you can get arrowhead bulbs that you can boil or roast. They taste similar to potatoes and can also be processed into flour when dried.

plant arrowhead

The subtropical species of arrowhead are particularly suitable for planting in aquariums. If you are looking for a plant for your garden pond, then take arrowhead, for example. It is native to temperate climates and is ideal as an underplant for ponds.

It is best to put the arrowhead in plant baskets. This makes the garden pond easy to maintain and clean if necessary. The ideal spot is 20 - 30 cm water depth and in full sun. There, the tips of the arrow-shaped leaves always point north. No wonder that the arrowhead is also known as the compass plant.

cultivate arrowhead

The arrowhead is quite easy to care for if it is in the right place. The bottom should be muddy, preferably in shallow water up to 30 cm deep. Then the plant withdraws under the water surface in winter and practically hibernates as a rhizome and/or tuber.

Arrowhead begins to bloom in June. The flowers are delicate and decorative, but quite small. The arrowhead is therefore usually planted because of its impressive leaves, which are designed very differently depending on the variety. The name often suggests the shape of the leaf, such as in the case of the grass-leaved arrowhead, which forms edible tubers and is nicknamed "duck potato".

The essentials in brief:

  • easy-care
  • mostly hardy
  • loves sun and muddy locations
  • so-called compass plant
  • edible tubers taste similar to potatoes
  • small flowers

tips

The grass-leaved arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea) is nicknamed “Duck potato” because of its edible tubers. It is also cultivated here as a pond plant.

Category:

Vegetable garden