Broadleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Duck-potato, Wapato, Indian potato
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Southern Canada, most of the USA, Mexico, Central America, Cuba and northern South America; naturalised in much of Europe
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
150 cm
Temperature
4–26°C
pH
6.5–8.5
Hardness
Prefers hard water
Care level
expert
Lighting
Full sun; grown emersed

Care

Broadleaf arrowhead, or duck-potato, is a large perennial marginal of ponds, swamps, rivers and lakes across the Americas. It usually grows 60–120 cm tall (up to about 150 cm), with arrow-shaped leaves held above the water, and spreads by runners into dense stands. In late summer it forms starchy tubers (0.5–5 cm), a traditional Native American food. It is a pond marginal, not an aquarium plant. Plant tubers 5–7 cm deep in 15–45 cm of still or slow water in late spring. It tolerates changing water levels and prefers hard, phosphate-rich water. It is hardy outdoors and needs a winter rest, so it does poorly in heated tanks. The temperature range is our estimate; the hard-water preference comes from Wikipedia. It has become naturalised in much of Europe, so do not plant it in or near natural waterways. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarialatifolia); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Plant tubers in spring, or separate rooted runners. It also sets seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

A pond marginal; ducks and other wildlife eat the tubers. Not for indoor tanks.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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