That said, I only mention the crop in passing in my book Totally Crazy Easy Florida Gardening because of the processing it takes to actually eat it without getting a mouthful of fibers. All I write is:
“Arrowroot is very easy to grow and beautiful to look at, but the yields are small. Roots require extra processing. It’s good as a non-recognizable background sort of survival crop if you’re worried about the end of the world and someone stealing your sweet potatoes… but not really much of a staple.” -Totally Crazy Easy Florida Gardening, Chap. 6
Though the young roots don’t only contain some fibrous strings, the older roots are basically inedible… except for their starch. So how do you harvest the starch out of arrowroot? Here’s a good post.
I’ll probably make arrowroot flour at some point myself; however, it’s not high on my priority list, particularly since I can just grow huge piles of yams instead with much less work.
Despite that fact, I really love growing arrowroot as an attractive member of the herbaceous layer in my food forest.
A couple of days ago I recorded a video on growing arrowroot and dug up one of my plants to harvest the roots. Check it out:
Even if you weren’t growing arrowroot for the starch, it would be worth growing because it’s such an attractive and care-free plant.
The video doesn’t do it justice since it’s entering the dormant season and dying back. They’re a lot prettier in the spring. Here’s all you need to do to start growing arrowroot in your own garden.
Arrowroot, or as its friends call it, Maranta arundinacea, is a tropical plant with some quite beautiful variations as well as some attractive cousins you’ve likely seen for sale as houseplants.
Though some sources report that growing arrowroot requires shade, I’ve had it do well in almost full sun along the path in the center of my food forest.
I’ve grown it in full shade as well, though that plant was less productive. Half-sun seems to be the sweet spot. If you get good rainfall and have decent soil, the yields increase. My arrowroot plants are fed with nothing but rotting wood chip mulch from the power company tree trimmers and that’s been enough for them to produce decent yields of roots. I pulled one from a rich and moist garden bed and got about 4 times the roots from it as from the one in the video above. Location, location, location!
Arrowroot is a tropical tuber plant that produces edible starch and is also prized for its ornamental foliage. While arrowroot care is straightforward, following best practices can help your plant thrive. This comprehensive guide provides key arrowroot plant care tips for healthy, vigorous growth.
Arrowroot Plant Basics
Arrowroot refers to several plant species in the Marantaceae family that produce starchy rhizomes, most commonly Maranta arundinacea. The arrowroot plant has broad, oval leaves that can be solid green or variegated. Arrowroots are native to tropical regions of Central and South America.
These moisture-loving plants thrive in warm, humid environments. Given proper care, arrowroot will reward you with lush, vibrant foliage and a bountiful harvest of nutritious tubers.
Choosing the Right Container
Arrowroot grown as a houseplant does best in a porous terracotta or ceramic container that allows soil moisture to evaporate while still retaining some. Choose a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep to accommodate the arrowroot’s tuberous roots. Make sure the container has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
For outdoor arrowroot plant tubers or plantlets directly in the ground. Select a site with well-draining, fertile soil high in organic matter.
Providing Nutrient-Rich Soil
Arrowroot thrives in loose, well-draining soil amended with plenty of organic material. The ideal potting mix contains:
- High-quality potting soil
- Compost, peat moss, or coco coir
- Perlite or horticultural sand for drainage
This nutrient-rich soil will feed your arrowroot plant’s rapid growth Replenish the potting mix annually by repotting the plant in fresh soil,
Watering Correctly
Establish a thorough consistent watering routine right away. Arrowroot prefers evenly moist soil at all times. Take these steps
- Water whenever the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry
- Pour water until it drains freely from the pot’s base
- Never let pots sit in waterlogged soil
The plant enjoys frequent misting as well to boost humidity. Just don’t saturate the foliage.
Providing Bright, Indirect Light
Arrowroot thrives in bright, indirect light. For indoor plants, place pots near an east or west-facing window. Rotate the plant weekly so all sides get even sunlight.
Outdoors, situate arrowroot in partial shade. Dappled sunlight under trees is ideal. Protect the plant from intense afternoon sun.
Maintaining Ideal Temperatures
Arrowroot flourishes in warm temperatures between 70-80°F. Keep indoor plants away from hot and cold drafts. In zones 10-11, arrowroot can be grown year-round outdoors. In cooler zones, grow it as an annual or bring pots inside for winter.
Increasing Humidity
The arrowroot plant’s tropical origins make warm, humid air a must. Boost moisture levels around your plant with these tips:
- Set pots on pebble trays filled with water
- Install a humidifier nearby
- Group arrowroot plants together
- Mist leaves occasionally with room temperature water
Providing Support as Needed
Larger arrowroot varieties can grow quite tall and may require staking or trellising to prevent toppling. Use bamboo stakes or tomato cages to support the plant’s stems and keep the heavy leaves upright.
Repotting Annually
Repot arrowroot each spring even if the plant seems happy. Carefully remove it, divide overgrown clumps, and replant in fresh potting mix. This will keep your plant healthy and prevent it from getting rootbound.
Occasional Pruning
Prune arrowroot in spring to remove any dead or damaged growth. This tidies up the plant’s appearance and optimizes new leaf production. Avoid over-pruning, just snip offspent flower stalks and discolored leaves.
Being Cautious With Fertilizer
Arrowroot growing in rich, organic potting soil may not need supplemental fertilizer at all. If you do feed, use a balanced liquid or slow-release fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Reduce frequency in winter when growth slows.
Monitoring for Pests
Check arrowroot leaves frequently for common houseplant pests like spider mites, mealybugs and scale. Isolate infested plants and use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat. Maintaining optimal care conditions will help prevent pest problems.
Harvesting Tubers
Patient gardeners can enjoy arrowroot’s edible tubers! Harvest mature rhizomes 10-12 months after planting when foliage starts dying back. Carefully dig up the entire plant and separate the potato-like tubers.
By following this arrowroot care guide, you’ll soon have a thriving, vibrant houseplant or garden specimen. Ample moisture, humidity, warm temperatures and bright indirect light are the keys to raising a healthy arrowroot.
Where To Buy Arrowroot Plants
I got my arrowroot starts from Grower Jim and I recommend him as a source. That link will take you to his write-up on growing arrowroot and there’s a link at the bottom of his article where you can order roots.
When to Harvest Arrowroot
When you’re growing arrowroot and it starts to die in the fall, don’t fear. It’s just going into dormancy. They’ll freeze to the ground in winter and come back again in the spring, much like ginger.
That’s the time I pull the roots. Give them a year of growth and they’ll usually make at least a half-dozen or more harvestable roots. Give them two years and you’ll get a lot more than that.