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!
When it comes to gardening, size definitely matters – especially when choosing the right arrowroot plant for your landscape. With its elegant foliage and edible tubers, arrowroot can be an excellent addition to any outdoor space. However, with arrowroot plants ranging in size from just a couple feet tall to over 6 feet tall, it’s crucial to select the variety that will thrive in the conditions your landscape provides. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that go into choosing the perfect arrowroot for your unique needs.
For those unfamiliar, arrowroot refers to several tropical plant species in the Marantaceae family whose starchy rhizomes can be dried and ground into a gluten-free powder. The most commonly cultivated species is Maranta arundinacea, also known as West Indian arrowroot. Native to tropical regions of South America, arrowroot is prized both for its ornamental qualities and its edible tubers, which can be eaten like potatoes.
Arrowroot foliage ranges from solid green to variegated shades of pink, white, and green The plants produce delicate white flowers in summer Arrowroot thrives in warm, humid environments and appreciates ample moisture. When given the right conditions, arrowroot will grace your landscape with lush, vibrant growth.
Choosing the Right Size Arrowroot
Arrowroot plants can reach anywhere from 1-6 feet tall depending on variety making size an important factor when selecting one for your garden. Consider the following
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Space limitations: If you’re working with a confined area like a patio container or corner of a small yard, choose a dwarf variety under 3 feet tall. Popular compact options include Arrowroot ‘White Butterfly’ and ‘Superba’.
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Partial shade areas: Look for mid-size varieties in the 3-4 foot range to add visual interest under trees or shrubs. Arrowroot ‘Maria Allusion’ is a nice choice with pink-variegated leaves.
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Large gardens and borders: For big spaces and backdrop plantings, choose larger arrowroot varieties that grow 5-6 feet tall like ‘Golden Arrowroot’ or ‘Regal Shields’. Their big, bold leaves make an impact.
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Naturalizing: For areas where arrowroot can spread like pond margins or creek beds, fast-growing types like ‘Fireball’ or ‘Excelsior’ are ideal. Their running rhizomes will quickly fill in.
Accounting for Growing Conditions
Beyond size, you’ll also want to consider factors like sunlight, climate, and soil when selecting an arrowroot variety.
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Sun exposure: Solid green or darker varieties handle more sun, while lighter variegated types need more shade. Know your light conditions.
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Hardiness: Most arrowroots thrive in zones 10-12 and can’t tolerate frost. But some are hardy into zone 9 or can be grown in zones 7-8 as annuals.
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Soil needs: All arrowroots want rich, moist soil. But some tolerate more drainage than others. Assess your soil type before choosing.
Popular Arrowroot Varieties
Here are some top arrowroot varieties to consider for your landscape:
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‘Black Gold’ – Large green leaves with excellent cold hardiness. Grows to 6 feet.
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‘Fireball’ – Gorgeous red stems and foliage that loves water gardens. Grows to 4 feet.
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‘Jade Pearls’ – Compact type with chartreuse leaf centers. Perfect for containers. Grows to 2 feet.
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‘Regal Shields’ – Huge 2 foot leaves in shades of pink, copper, and green. Grows to 6 feet.
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‘Tropic Viper’ – Tough, fast-growing arrowroot great for naturalizing. Grows to 5 feet.
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‘White Butterfly’ – Graceful dwarf with white-variegated leaves. Great for small spaces. Grows to 2 feet.
Caring for Your Arrowroot
Once you’ve selected the right arrowroot for your landscape conditions and space, it’s important to give it proper care so it thrives. Here are some growing tips:
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Plant in rich, moist soil amended with compost. Arrowroots love nutrients!
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Water frequently, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
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situate in partial sun to partial shade. Don’t let lighter varieties get too much hot sun.
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Mist arrowroot leaves to increase humidity around the plant.
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Stake taller varieties if needed to prevent toppling.
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Prune damaged leaves or stems to maintain an attractive appearance.
Enjoying the Benefits
Adding the right arrowroot to your garden provides terrific ornamental value with large, exotic-looking leaves and showy flowers. You’ll also get the bonus of harvesting delicious, gluten-free arrowroot tubers to eat. With so many arrowroot varieties to pick from, you’re sure to find one that brings beautiful tropical flair to your landscape in just the right size.
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.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LANDSCAPE SIZE: Tips for Success
FAQ
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