Sagittaria sagittifolia
Old World arrowhead, Japanese arrowhead, Common arrowhead
Also known as Sagittaria japonica
- Height × spread
- 0.7m × 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant which grows in boggy or watery conditions and which is used as a marginal plant for ponds. The popular name comes from the distinctive arrow-shaped leaves, these being smooth and shiny green. In summer there are stiff flower spikes that carry small white rounded flowers composed of three broad petals. The leaves stand up vertically in the water, elegant and distinctive. It can grow in up 13cm of water. In the autumn the original plant dies down and produces small tubers (technically called turions) that settle at the bottom of the pond for the winter. It then bursts forth, happily invasive, in spring. It will probably need controlling to stop it taking over, but is beautiful.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 0.7m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Water garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Water depth
- Up to 15cm
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with aquatic plant food
As the plant is grown in water, feed with an aquatic feed as directed on the packet. Do not exceed the amounts given as this can affect the water.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water frequently to keep the soil moist
The plant thrives in moist or boggy soil, doesn't tolerate dryness and should be watered frequently, not only after a period of drought, but if the soil begins to dry out spring to autumn. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Spring-Autumn · Planting
Trim dead flowers to prevent self-seeding
Note on self-seeding: If you do not want this plant to set seed it is necessary to promptly remove the spent flowers as they fade.
It's possible to carefully remove the seed heads, complete with seed, and then place them in areas where you would like new seedlings to grow.
Summer
Summer - late · Planting
Trim foliage
Trim foliage to keep the plant looking neat.