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 tropical plant that produces edible tubers. These tubers can be dried and ground into a starch that acts as a thickener and stabilizer in cooking. Arrowroot starch has many culinary and medicinal uses, so having an abundant supply can be beneficial. Luckily, propagating new arrowroot plants from existing ones is a straightforward process that anyone can master. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully propagate arrowroot at home.
An Overview of Arrowroot Plants
Arrowroot refers to several tropical plants in the Marantaceae family that produce starch-rich tubers, most commonly Maranta arundinacea. The arrowroot plant has broad, pleated leaves and small white flowers that bloom in summer. It is native to the tropics of Central and South America but is now widely cultivated in tropical regions around the world.
The edible portion of the arrowroot plant is the tubers that form at the base of the stems. These tubers contain about 23% starch, which can be extracted to produce the highly digestible arrowroot starch. Arrowroot starch has many culinary uses as a thickener for sauces, soups, jellies, and more. It is also used in gluten-free baking.
Beyond cooking, arrowroot starch has medicinal applications too. The starch can be used to soothe gastrointestinal issues and is sometimes applied topically to wounds. Having a healthy stock of arrowroot plants allows you to enjoy the benefits of the fresh tubers and dried starch whenever needed.
When to Propagate Arrowroot
Arrowroot can be propagated at almost any time, but the process is easiest when done during the growing season Most arrowroot varieties thrive in zones 10-11 and grow best with warm daytime temperatures around 70-85°F For indoor gardeners, maintaining these warm temperatures will allow you to propagate arrowroot year-round.
Outdoor gardeners should plan to propagate arrowroot in spring or summer when temperatures are consistently warm Early fall can also work well, as long as the plant has a couple months to establish before cold weather arrives Avoid propagating in winter or during temperature swings.
Gathering Propagation Materials
Propagating arrowroot is simple because you can grow new plants from tuber cuttings or divisions. Here are the materials you’ll need:
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A healthy mother plant – Select an established arrowroot plant with healthy looking leaves and tubers. Pick one that is at least a year old.
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Sharp, clean shears or knife– You’ll need a sharp tool to cut the tubers and roots cleanly.Rubbing alcohol works well for disinfecting.
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Small pots – Choose pots about 3-4 inches wide with drainage holes. Terra cotta or plastic both work.
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Potting mix – Use a light, fluffy potting mix made for tropical plants, orchids, or vegetables.
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Rooting hormone (optional) – A powder or gel containing auxins can stimulate faster root growth.
Once you’ve gathered these supplies, you’re ready to begin propagating!
Step 1: Select and Cut Tubers
Start by gently removing the arrowroot plant from its pot. Knock off any loose soil until you can see the tubers. Select a few healthy tubers to use for propagation. The tubers should be firm and about 2-3 inches long.
Carefully cut the tubers from the mother plant. Use a clean, sharp knife or shears. Try to cut each tuber with a section of the original stem still attached – this will develop into the new plant’s shoots. Aim for tuber cuttings around 2 inches long.
Also take 3-4 inch long sections from fleshy roots radiating from the tuber. Having varied tuber and root cuttings will increase your chances of propagation success.
Step 2: Allow Cuts to Callous
Before potting, lay the tuber and root cuttings in a dry spot out of direct sun. Allow the cuts to callous over for 1-2 days – this helps prevent rot and disease. The cut surfaces will dry out and form protective callouses during this time.
Optional: Dip the cut ends of the tubers and roots in rooting hormone powder/gel. This can encourage faster root development after planting. Tap off any excess powder before setting aside to callous.
Step 3: Pot Tuber Cuttings
Once calloused over, your arrowroot cuttings are ready for potting. Fill the small pots with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Leave at least 1⁄2 inch between the soil surface and the pot’s rim.
Gently place one tuber cutting in the center of each pot, laying it horizontally. Surround the tuber with 2-3 root cuttings, positioning them vertically. The tuber should sit about 1 inch below the soil surface, with the attached stem end pointed up.
Backfill soil to cover the tuber and root cuttings. Aim to have at least 1⁄2 inch of soil covering the tuber. The vertical root sections can poke out a bit. Press the soil gently to remove air pockets.
Step 4: Provide the Right Growing Conditions
After potting, water each cutting lightly to moisten the soil. Avoid oversaturating. Place the pots in bright, indirect light and maintain warm temperatures around 70-80°F. Mist the soil to keep it lightly moist but not soggy.
Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Good airflow will help prevent fungal issues – use small fans if needed.
Step 5: Monitor and Maintain Growth
Within a few weeks, you should see sprouts emerge from the tuber cuttings. Gradually increase watering as the new plants establish. Once sprouts reach 3-4 inches tall, gently tug on them to encourage stronger root growth.
Rotate the pots weekly so all sides get even light exposure. Watch for pests like spider mites, scale, and mealybugs and address any issues promptly. Pinch off any flowers in the first year so plants direct energy to root and shoot growth.
Step 6: Transplant Established Propagations
In 4-6 months, the propagated arrowroot plants will be well rooted and ready for transplanting. Select a pot 2-3 inches larger and use fresh potting mix amended with compost or worm castings. Bury the entire tuber 2-3 inches deep and water well after repotting.
With the right care, your propagated arrowroot plants will flourish! They can stay in pots as houseplants or be transplanted in the garden. Enjoy harvesting their tubers and utilizing the arrowroot starch for all your cooking and medicinal needs!
Troubleshooting Common Propagation Problems
While arrowroot generally roots readily, you may encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common propagation issues and how to address them:
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Tubers rotting – Improve drainage and avoid overwatering. Allow cuttings to callous before potting. Sterilize tools to prevent disease transmission.
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No growth from cuttings – Check for signs of life by scratching tubers gently. Discard any that are soft or mushy. Recut live tubers and try propagating again.
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Small roots or shoots – Increase sunlight exposure. Use a rooting hormone and foliar fertilizer to encourage growth. Make sure temperatures stay warm.
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Few or no tubers forming – This is common in the first year – be patient! Fertilize regularly and allow plants 2+ years to mature and produce tubers.
Enjoy an Unlimited Arrowroot Supply
When you propagate arrowroot successfully, you’ll have an unlimited supply of this useful plant. Follow the tips in this guide to get your arrowroot cuttings off to the right start. In no time, you’ll have plenty of hardy arrowroot plants for harvesting the tubers and putting that arrowroot starch to work in your kitchen!
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.
ARROWHEAD PLANT PROPAGATION: 2 EASY WAYS TO PROPAGATE A SYNGONIUM
FAQ
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