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 an easy-to-grow and care-free tropical plant that can be a valuable addition to any garden The edible tubers can be used as a source of nutritious starch Arrowroot flour is a popular gluten-free and grain-free substitute for traditional flours. The young leaves and shoots are also edible. With so many uses, it’s no wonder arrowroot is becoming more popular! But where can you buy arrowroot plants to start your own? Here are some tips on finding the best sources.
A Quick Overview on Growing Arrowroot
Before diving into sources let’s do a quick rundown on growing arrowroot. There are a few key things to know
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Arrowroot thrives in zones 8-11 and does best in partial shade locations. It can tolerate full sun in cooler climates.
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Provide moist, well-draining soil. Arrowroot won’t tolerate saturated soil.
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Plant tubers or root divisions in the spring after the last frost,
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Arrowroot dies back in fall and winter. The roots remain dormant underground until spring.
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Harvest tubers when foliage starts dying back in late summer or fall.
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Each planted tuber can produce 6-12 more tubers within a year. The yield increases each season.
With proper growing conditions, arrowroot is incredibly easy to grow. Good placement and soil preparation is key. Now let’s look at the best sources for getting started.
Ordering Arrowroot Tubers Online
The easiest way to buy arrowroot plants is to order tubers online. Here are some reputable sources:
Grower Jim’s Plants
This tropical plant nursery based in Florida offers certified organic arrowroot tubers for sale here. Their arrowroot is sourced from old Florida Cracker strains that are known for vigor and productivity.
Tubers are shipped bare root in sphagnum moss to retain moisture. Grower Jim’s recommends planting them immediately upon receiving. I’ve ordered from them before with excellent results. Their arrowroot tubers quickly grew into robust plants.
Wells Tropicals
This online retailer sells a wide variety of tropical crops including arrowroot. They offer the ‘Florida White’ cultivar here.
Wells Tropicals ships live plants year round with heat packs to protect them. Their bare root arrowroot tubers come with care instructions. I haven’t ordered arrowroot specifically from them but their other plants always arrive in great shape.
Etsy Sellers
Etsy has a number of independent growers selling arrowroot tubers. Hirt’s Gardens, California Tropicals, and Plantonomics all have good reviews.
Prices range from $6-$12 per tuber. As with any Etsy shop, read reviews carefully before purchasing. But they can be a good source for hard-to-find varieties.
Getting Arrowroot Divisions or Starts Locally
Checking for arrowroot divisions at local garden centers or nurseries is another option. Arrowroot is still considered a novelty crop by some, so selection may be limited. But places that carry tropicals are most likely to have some.
You may also find arrowroot for sale on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, especially in warmer climates like Florida and Southern California. Backyard growers with mature plants will often have divisions to share.
Joining local garden swap groups and putting out an ISO (in search of) post is a good way to connect with people that may have arrowroot to spare. The more exotic, the harder a plant can be to source locally. But keeping an eye out can pay off.
Growing Arrowroot from Grocery Store Rhode
Here’s a trick for getting free starter plants. Look for arrowroot rhizomes being sold for cooking use. Many Latin and Asian markets carry them.
Choose plump, unshriveled rhizomes. Cut them into pieces with at least 1 bud or growing point. Plant 3-6 inches deep in quality potting mix. Keep warm and moist until sprouts emerge.
This takes longer and has lower success rates than planting tubers. But it lets you sample arrowroot flavor and can save money.
Gathering Arrowroot Seeds
Another free option is to collect seeds from existing arrowroot plants. Here’s how it works:
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In late summer, arrowroot flowers will form seeds. Allow them to fully ripen on plants.
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Collect seed pods once they become brittle and brown. Break them open to remove seeds.
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Store seeds in a cool, dry place until spring. Soaking in water for 24 hours before planting can improve germination.
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Plant seeds 1 inch deep in pots or trays. Keep soil moist. Germination takes 14-28 days at 70°F.
This approach requires access to mature, flowering arrowroot plants. But gathering your own seeds is rewarding. You gain an endless supply of plants adapted to your growing conditions.
Key Tips for Buying Arrowroot Plants
When sourcing arrowroot tubers, look for:
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Healthy roots: Avoid shriveled, moldy, or damaged rhizomes. Select fat, firm tubers.
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Good size: Tubers 2-3 inches long provide the most stored energy for good growth. But smaller ones still establish well.
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Reputable sellers: Read reviews and check policies before purchasing online. Local sellers should have healthy plants.
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Variety descriptions: Look for details on origin and productivity. Named varieties generally perform better.
Taking time to find vigorous tubers from reliable sources gives your arrowroot the best start. Once established, these useful plants will reward you for years to come. With so many options for buying starts, you can soon be harvesting your own homegrown arrowroot.
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.
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.
My Top 5 Best Seed Sources (Number 3 Will Make You Cry)
FAQ
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