Guyanese arrowhead (Sagittaria guayanensis) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Sagittaria guyanensis, Guyanese arrowhead, Echinodorus guayanensis, Lophotocarpus guayanensis
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Tropical America, West Africa, Sudan, Madagascar and south and South-east Asia; recorded in Louisiana since 1969
Water
freshwater
Temperature
22–30°C
pH
6–7.5
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
High light; CO2 helpful

Care

Guyanese arrowhead is a perennial tropical arrowhead with a huge natural range across tropical America, Africa and Asia. The list spells it guyanensis, a common misspelling. It has broad, arrow-shaped floating leaves with rounded lobes, rather like a small water lily, and white flowers at the surface. The sources say nothing about aquarium use. It is best grown as a floating-leaved plant in open-topped tanks, tubs or tropical ponds with strong light, planted in a rich substrate. We have placed it with the lilies because of its floating-leaved habit. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittariaguayanensis); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Separate young plants from runners or offsets; it also sets seed readily.

Compatibility and tank mates

Floating leaves shade the tank below. Plant-eating fish may graze it. Needs tropical warmth.

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

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