Arrowroot is becoming well known as a gluten-free alternative to corn starch and flour. What isn’t advertised on the nutritional label, though, is the rich history of arrowroot powder and the plant it comes from. It was cultivated in Latin America as early as 8200 BCE, thousands of years before gluten was even identified. Back then, this plant was well known for extracting poison from arrow wounds, hence the name arrowroot plant.
The common name ‘Arrowroot’ is actually applied to multiple plants, mostly those whose roots can be made into arrow starch or flour. The more commonly known ones are Canna indica, which is grown for its elegant flowers, and Zamia pumila, known as Florida arrowroot. In this article, we’ll focus on the arrowroot plant that’s primarily used for commercial arrowroot flour and starch: Maranta arundinacea.
M. arundinacea is a large, tropical plant that grows in water margins. Its lively green foliage is as much at home near a backyard pond as it is in a rainforest. You’ll find that it’s very easy to grow in warm climates (and even easier to propagate). So if your water feature – or a soggy part of the yard – could use some sprucing up, consider the arrowroot plant!
Arrowroot is a versatile tropical plant grown for its starchy rhizomes. While the arrowroot powder obtained from the rhizomes is commonly used as a gluten-free thickening agent, the plant itself can serve as an attractive ornamental in the garden. Arrowroot propagation is usually done through rhizome cuttings, but growing arrowroot from seeds is also possible. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into all aspects of arrowroot seeds including harvesting, germinating, storing and sowing them.
Arrowroot or Maranta arundinacea produces tiny, oval shaped seeds that are about 1 to 2mm in size The seeds are initially white when formed but turn brown or black as they mature Fresh seeds harvested from arrowroot pods have a high rate of viability. Under ideal storage conditions, arrowroot seeds will remain viable for 1 to 2 years.
When sowing arrowroot seeds, a germination rate of around 80% can be expected if the seeds are fresh. The seeds have no dormancy period and will germinate readily under warm, humid conditions.
Harvesting Arrowroot Seeds
The best time to harvest arrowroot seeds is when the seed pods turn brown or black. Monitor your arrowroot plants closely during summer and autumn to catch the pods as soon as they start ripening. Delayed harvest can lead to loss of seeds from shattering.
To harvest the seeds, simply collect the mature seed pods Bring them indoors and spread them out to dry further for a week Once dried, gently crush the pods to separate the seeds. Place the crushed pod remnants in a sieve and shake vigorously to filter out the arrowroot seeds.
Storing Arrowroot Seeds
For best results, arrowroot seeds should be sown when fresh. But it’s a good idea to bank some seeds for sowing in the next season Here are some tips for proper storage
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Let fresh seeds dry for 1 to 2 weeks before storing. Drying brings down seed moisture content for longer viability.
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Place dried seeds in air-tight containers like glass jars or resealable plastic bags. Avoid paper envelopes or pouches as they allow moisture exchange.
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Store the containers in a cool, dry spot away from direct light. The refrigerator is ideal, with temperatures between 35°F to 40°F.
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Label the containers with seed type and year of harvest. Arrowroot seeds remain viable for up to 2 years when stored this way.
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Inspect the seeds periodically and discard any that appear discolored or damaged.
Germinating Arrowroot Seeds
Arrowroot seeds can be germinated through a couple of simple methods:
Soil Germination
This is the usual method for germinating arrowroot seeds:
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Fill starter pots or trays with a well-draining seed starting mix. Water the mix thoroughly and let drain.
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Sow the arrowroot seeds just below the surface of the mix, spacing them 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch apart.
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Cover the seeds lightly with more starting mix or vermiculite.
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Water the pots gently to avoid displacing the seeds.
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Cover the pots with plastic wrap or dome lids to maintain humidity.
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Place the pots in a warm spot with 70°F to 80°F temperature.
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The seeds will germinate in 14 to 21 days. Remove the covers once sprouts emerge.
Water Germination
Soaking arrowroot seeds in water is an easy way to germinate them:
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Place the seeds in a jar of lukewarm water. Change the water every day.
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Within a week, the seeds will swell up and sink. Soon, a white sprout will emerge from one end.
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Carefully transfer the sprouted seeds to starter pots filled with seed starting mix.
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Water the pots to settle the soil and place in a warm, bright location.
Water germination allows close monitoring of seed germination process. But soil germination is simpler and gives higher yields.
Sowing Arrowroot Seeds Outdoors
Arrowroot seeds can be directly sown in garden beds if some care is taken:
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Prepare garden beds in early spring once all danger of frost is past. Mix in aged compost to improve drainage.
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Sow seeds 1 inch deep spaced 12 to 18 inches apart in rows. Cover with soil and water gently.
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Cover beds with horticultural fleece or floating row covers to maintain warmth and humidity.
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Keep the beds consistently moist until seedlings emerge in 2 to 3 weeks.
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Remove covers during the day once sprouts are 3-4 inches tall.
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Thin seedlings to 18 to 24 inch spacing once they have 4-5 leaves.
Arrowroot grows best in organically rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 to 6.5. Provide the plants 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches of water weekly. Arrowroot is sensitive to frost. So prolong the frost covers in fall for maximum growth.
Caring for Arrowroot Seedlings
Arrowroot seedlings need attentive care in their initial stages:
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Keep the plants warm, especially at night. Temperatures below 65°F slow down growth.
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Water frequently, taking care not to oversaturate the soil. Let the top inch dry before rewatering.
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Pot up the seedlings into larger containers if keeping them indoors or in greenhouses.
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Start fertilizing with a balanced organic fertilizer once they have 3-4 true leaves.
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Gradually expose the plants to partial or dappled sunlight for 2-3 weeks before moving them outdoors.
With careful handling, arrowroot seedlings can grow over 12 inches in 2-3 months. They will mature and produce rhizomes in about 10-12 months.
Growing arrowroot from seeds is rewarding but requires some patience. With attention to harvesting, storage, germination and sowing techniques, it is quite possible to propagate new arrowroot plants from seeds at home. Follow this guide for best results raising your own arrowroot seedlings.
All About Arrowroot Plant
Our arrowroot plant is in the Marantaceae family, making it cousins with the popular houseplant M. leuconuera (prayer plant). Since they’re both popular plants, Marantaceae may be referred to as either the arrowroot family or the prayer plant family. M. arundinacea itself was previously called Maranta sylvatica. It also goes by the common names West Indian arrowroot and obedience plant (not to be confused with the sprightly ‘obedient plant’).
As mentioned earlier, arrowroot is native to Latin America, from Mexico to the West Indies to Brazil. True to its tropical habitat, it has smooth, ovate leaves that are at least 6 inches long. It grows in clusters that can reach 5 feet tall and blossoms in the spring and summer with a subtle display of tubular white flowers.
Arrowroot produces rhizomes, which are ground into powder. They’re white or reddish-purple and sprout thick green stems. They’re a good source of potassium and have a nutty, sweet flavor when eaten raw or cooked. The rhizomes are very digestible and sometimes fed to infants.
As an arrowroot rhizome ages, it gets woody, fibrous, and more difficult to eat. In mild winters, the plant goes dormant, and the foliage often dies back. Come spring, the rhizomes will sprout new stems and leaves.
Your everyday arrowroot plant has solid green leaves. If you’re looking for something fancier though, search for a ‘Variegata’ cultivar. Its leaves are painted with chunks of white and light green.
Arrowroot starts and seeds may be found at gardening centers, depending on where you live. You can also search for and order them online. If you’re planting by seed, sow them in sprouting pots or directly in the ground. Soak the seeds first to increase the germination rate.
Plant your starts in the spring. This will give them plenty of time to establish a root system and shoot up before going dormant in the winter. Ideally, arrowroots should be planted in a water margin. It needs a lot of moisture, so placing it somewhere wet will save you a lot of time spent watering. The location you choose should also get partial shade for most of the day.
Arrowroot can grow in containers as long as they’re pruned or divided periodically (these are big plants!). Choose a sturdy container with good drainage holes. While it’s possible to grow arrowroot indoors, this plant does much better outside.
Arrowroot is an agreeable plant. As long as it was planted in the right conditions and the following needs are met, you shouldn’t have any issue growing a plentiful harvest.
Arrowroots are best cultivated in partial shade with direct sunlight limited to a couple of hours a day. However, they’ve been reported to survive in a warm sunny position as well as full shade, albeit with less vigorous growth.
Because it’s native to the tropics, growing arrowroot is easiest in zones 10-12. It thrives in temperatures from 62-93°F during the growing season. This plant may survive temperatures as low as 40°F and even some light frost during the dormant season. Adding some mulch in the fall may help the crop stay warm through the winter months.
Remember that arrowroot grows in water margins, so naturally, it needs plenty of moisture. Keep the soil constantly moist, watering daily if needed. Arrowroot also prefers some humidity, which is easily accomplished if it’s planted next to a pond.
If your arrowroot plant gets hot and dry, its leaves will let you know. Mist the air around them with a spray bottle to up the humidity. Avoid getting large amounts of water on the leaves since it can lead to fungal growth.
In the winter, when your M. arundinacea goes dormant, cut down to weekly watering. Not only does the plant need less water, but too much will make the roots cold. When new growth emerges in the spring, gradually increase watering.
All that water is useless if we don’t have good soil to hold it. Choose a loamy, well-drained soil that will stay moist without becoming muddy. It should drain well enough that large puddles aren’t left on the surface, and excess moisture drains out the bottom of a container.
Use soil that’s rich in nutrients and organic matter. It should also be slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.5-6.5. Though all these soil characteristics are important for growing arrowroot, the plant will usually survive in varying soil qualities if needed.
Fertilize your arrow root in the spring for a jump start on healthy growth. Use a diluted, balanced, liquid fertilizer 1-2 times a month for the season (seaweed tonic is a popular choice for this crop). This plant can be overfertilized – especially in the summer – and will show it with leaf discoloration.
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FAQ
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