Giant sagittaria (Sagittaria platyphylla) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Delta arrowhead, Broad-leaf arrowhead, Delta duck-potato, Sagittaria graminea var. platyphylla
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Eastern USA, mainly central Texas to the Florida Panhandle and north to southern Illinois
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
150 cm
Temperature
15–28°C
pH
6–8
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Medium light; CO2 helpful

Care

Giant sagittaria, or delta arrowhead, is a perennial of ponds, lakes and slow streams in the eastern United States. It grows from underground corms and spreads by runners and seed. Its submerged leaves are flattened, strap-like stalks without a true blade, so underwater it looks like a broad-leaved Vallisneria; emersed plants grow oval leaf blades up to 17 cm long and stand up to 1.5 m tall, with whorls of white flowers. In aquaria it is used as a background plant. Plant it in a nutrient-rich substrate and thin the runners regularly. Out of water it becomes a large pond marginal. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Never release this plant or dispose of it in drains or waterways; it is invasive in some countries (a noxious weed in Australia and spreading in China's Yangtze basin). Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittariaplatyphylla); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by runners; cut free rooted daughter plants. It also forms corms and sets seed.

Compatibility and tank mates

Tough leaves are usually left alone, though large cichlids may uproot it. Suits community tanks, tropical or cooler.

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

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