Needle sagittaria (Sagittaria subulata) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Floating arrowhead, Dwarf sagittaria, Awl-leaf arrowhead, Narrow-leaved arrowhead, Sagittaria pusilla
Family
Alismataceae (water-plantain family)
Origin
Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the USA (Massachusetts to Louisiana), Colombia and Venezuela; Tropica gives South America
Water
freshwater
Maximum size
40 cm
Temperature
15–28°C
pH
6–8
Care level
beginner
Lighting
Low light; CO2 medium demand (helpful)

Care

Sagittaria subulata, the dwarf or awl-leaf arrowhead, is a grassy perennial that grows mainly in shallow, often brackish coastal marshes and estuaries in the eastern USA and northern South America. Its narrow leaves are usually submerged, sometimes floating, and plants reach up to about 40 cm. In the aquarium it is an undemanding foreground plant. Tropica rates it easy, with low light and medium CO2 needs, and recommends planting individual plants 2–4 cm apart. Short runners soon join them into a compact lawn, typically 5–30 cm tall after two months. Under some conditions, especially as it ages, it can suddenly shoot up to around 50 cm; moving it can make it grow low again. It sometimes sends a long stem to the surface with small white flowers. Tropica also sells 'Needle Leaf', a finer-leaved form. Its brackish habitat means it copes with hard and slightly salty water. Tropica does not give water figures. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Tropica (tropica.com/en/plants); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittariasubulata); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Spreads by short runners; cut free rooted daughter plants and replant them.

Compatibility and tank mates

Usually left alone by fish and shrimp; digging species may uproot young plants. Suits most community tanks and lightly brackish set-ups.

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

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