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 versatile tropical plant grown for its starchy tubers. This gluten-free starch has many culinary and medicinal uses. As with any plant, proper watering is key to growing healthy arrowroot. Over or under-watering can cause issues. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about watering arrowroot plants.
Arrowroot Plant Basics
Arrowroot, also known as maranta arundinacea, is a perennial herb native to tropical regions of South America. It is primarily grown for the starch derived from the tubers or rhizomes. Other names for this plant include obedience plant, Bermuda arrowroot, araru, and ndowe.
This herbaceous plant can grow 3 to 5 feet in height. It has broad, lanceolate leaves that resemble those of other tropical plants like bananas. The roots form a network of round, scaly rhizomes which contain up to 23% starch content when mature.
Arrowroot thrives in warm, humid climates and requires plenty of moisture. Proper watering is crucial, especially in the early stages of growth. Let’s look at some key factors to consider when determining arrowroot’s water needs.
Water Needs By Growth Stage
How much you water arrowroot depends largely on the plant’s stage of growth:
Germination Stage
- Keep soil evenly moist to allow seeds to sprout (about 10-14 days)
- Water when top 1” of soil is dry
- Mist leaves daily for humidity
Seedling & Vegetative Stage
- Water when top 1” of soil dries out
- Gradually increase water as plants grow
- Mist leaves if humidity is low
Flowering & Rhizome Filling Stage
- Require consistent moisture in top 4-6” of soil
- Water thoroughly 1-2 times per week
- Reduce watering as leaves start dying back
Harvest & Dormancy
- Taper off watering as leaves yellow & die back
- Allow soil to dry out more between waterings
- Stop watering once rhizomes are harvested
- Store rhizomes in cool, dry place
Adjusting your watering technique and frequency based on the plant’s current stage is crucial. Too little water inhibits growth while too much causes rotting.
Soil Needs
Arrowroot thrives in loose well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0. Heavy clay or compacted soils prevent proper drainage and aeration. Here are some watering tips based on soil
-
Sandy Soil – Drains quickly, requires more frequent watering. Water when top 2” is dry.
-
Silty or Loamy Soil – Hold some moisture but still drain well. Water when top 1” is dry.
-
Clay Soil – Hold moisture longer but can get waterlogged. Allow top 2-3” to dry before watering.
-
Potting Mix – Often dries out faster than garden soil. Check moisture 2-3” deep; water when dry.
Prep soil with compost or peat to improve moisture retention and nutrients. Adding perlite can improve drainage.
Environmental Factors
Arrowroot thrives in hot, humid tropical regions. If you live in a temperate climate, environmental factors also influence water needs:
-
Heat & Humidity – More watering needed in hot, dry climates. Increase frequency if leaves droop.
-
Wind & Sun – Plants in full sun or windy areas lose more moisture. Check soil daily.
-
Season – Water more in summer, less in winter. Reduce frequency as plant goes dormant.
-
Rainfall – Supplement with watering if rainfall under 1” per week. Overhead watering promotes foliar diseases.
Adjusting your watering schedule based on weather season and exposure is key to avoiding under or over-watering.
Signs of Underwatering
How can you tell if your arrowroot plant needs more water? Here are a few key signs:
- Wilting or drooping leaves
- Leaves and stems feeling dry or brittle
- Stunted growth
- Brown leaf tips or edges
- Poor flowering and rhizome development
Plants stressed from underwatering are more prone to insect infestations, fungal issues and low tuber yields.
Signs of Overwatering
On the other hand, too much water can also damage arrowroot plants:
- Soft, mushy leaves or stunted growth
- Leaves turning yellow or brown
- Rotting roots or rhizomes
- Standing water in pot or soil
- Scummy surface growth on soil
Overwatering makes plants susceptible to diseases like root rot. It also prevents roots from getting sufficient oxygen.
Watering Methods & Techniques
Proper watering technique is just as important as frequency. Here are some tips:
- Water early morning or late afternoon to reduce evaporation
- Avoid overhead watering to discourage fungal diseases
- Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to target soil and roots
- Add mulch around plants to retain soil moisture
- Allow soil to partially dry before re-watering to prevent waterlogging
- Water until it runs from drainage holes to encourage deep root growth
Investing in an irrigation system can take the guesswork out of watering while maximizing growth.
Fertilizer & Watering
Applying fertilizer can alter arrowroot’s water requirements. Here’s how to adjust:
-
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during active growth with balanced 10-10-10 or fish emulsion
-
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer which causes excessive leaf growth
-
Water thoroughly after applying fertilizer to prevent root burn
-
Increase watering frequency after fertilizing to aid nutrient absorption
-
Reduce fertilizing and watering during dormancy and after foliage dies back
Proper coordination of fertilizer and water is vital to plant health.
Growing Arrowroot in Containers
Container-grown arrowroot often needs more frequent watering than in-ground plants. Here are some container watering tips:
-
Choose containers with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging
-
Cover drainage holes with gravel to retain moisture while improving flow
-
Water when top 1-2” of soil is dry to the touch
-
Potting mix dries out faster than garden soil; check moisture daily
-
Water until it drains from the bottom to fully saturate potting mix
-
Add moss atop the soil to increase humidity
-
Move container plants to sheltered areas to reduce moisture loss
Careful monitoring of soil moisture is even more critical for container-grown arrowroot.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If your arrowroot plants show signs of underwatering or overwatering, here are some troubleshooting tips:
-
Rule out other issues like pests, diseases, or insufficient light
-
Adjust watering frequency gradually to avoid shock
-
Transplant to improve drainage or into a larger container space
-
Use moisture probes to determine if the whole root zone is wet or dry
-
Add amendments like compost to improve moisture retention
-
Protect plants from harsh sun, wind, and temperature extremes
Be patient and make watering adjustments incrementally to get back on track.
Proper watering is the key to growing healthy, productive arrowroot plants. Follow this guide to understand how much water your arrowroot needs at each stage of growth. Pay close attention to soil moisture, environmental factors, and growth habits. With the right watering schedule, you’ll be rewarded with an abundant arrowroot tuber harvest.
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.
Best way to water arrowroot plant
FAQ
Does arrowroot like sun or shade?
What is the best fertilizer for arrowroot plants?
How much water does a plant need per day?
How often should arrowroot be watered?
Water your arrowroot when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Arrowroot plants benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season (spring and summer). Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to promote healthy growth. During the winter months, reduce fertilization to once a month.
Can arrowroot grow in containers?
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. Maranta arundinacea flower. Source: dogtooth77 Arrowroot is an agreeable plant.
Can you grow arrowroot in your own garden?
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. Maranta leuconeura. Photo credit Drew Avery. CC license.
How do you propagate arrowroot?
Arrowroot plants can be propagated by division or by stem cuttings. To divide the plant, carefully dig up the rhizomes and separate them into smaller sections with at least one sprout per section. Replant each section in fresh soil and water well.