Alphabetical Plant Listing

Sagittaria montevidensis (Giant Arrowhead)

Giant Arrowhead, Aztec Arrowhead, Spongy Arrowhead, Hooded Arrowhead, Long-lobed Arrowhead, Mississippi Arrowhead


Sagittaria montevidensis (Giant Arrowhead) is a marginal aquatic perennial boasting arrow-shaped dark green leaves that can reach up to 12 in. in length (30 cm). The young ribbon-like leaves grow submerged, while the mature arrowhead-shaped leaves are held above the water upon rigid stalks. Their spongy petioles can reach a length of more than 30 in. (75 cm) and are up to 3 in. thick (7 cm). Blooming from summer to early fall, white flowers, 1 in. across (2.5 cm), adorned with a striking wine-colored dot at the base of their petals, appear in whorls of 2-3 atop stalks rising to 4 ft. tall (120 cm). Long-blooming and attractive, they somewhat resemble orchids and make a beautiful addition to the pond. Giant Arrowhead is insect pollinated and attracts bees, butterflies, and moths. The pollinated flowers give way to a prolific amount of seeds that enable the plant to spread quickly in the wild. Widely distributed across North and South America, Giant Arrowhead is often found at pond edges in shallow, ephemeral water, sometimes occurring in tidal mud flats. While classified as an annual or short-term perennial, Giant Arrowhead naturalizes by turions and self-seeding. 

  • Grows up to 2-4 ft. tall (60-120 cm) and 12-18 in. wide (30-45 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in loamy, moist to wet soils. Will grow in standing water about 1-6 in. deep (2-15 cm). Pot your plant in a 2-gallon or larger planting container and set the planter in your pond, so it is covered by up to 6 in. of water (15 cm).
  • A beautiful addition to bog gardens, pond areas, and water gardens.
  • Propagate by seed.
  • No serious pest or disease issues.
  • Sagittaria montevidensis is widespread in wetlands of North America (United States, Canada, Mexico) and South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay).

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Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 11
Plant Type Annuals, Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

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chutima chaimratana/Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 8 – 11
Plant Type Annuals, Aquatic Plants, Perennials
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Height 2' – 4' (60cm – 120cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 12" – 18" (30cm – 45cm)
Water Needs High
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Wet Soil
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Bog Gardens, Ponds and Streams, Water Gardens

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