Arrowleaf Barrenwort Plant Care
Epimedium sagittatum Maxim.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Epimedium sagittatum is a flowering plant in the barberry family (Berberidaceae) native to China. It is known locally as 三枝九叶草 and is sometimes called horny goat weed for its purported aphrodisiac properties.
Every 7–10 days
Partial to full shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Water Arrowleaf Barrenwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial to full shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Arrowleaf Barrenwort Native To?
What Is the Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Arrowleaf Barrenwort (Epimedium sagittatum) belongs to the Berberidaceae family within the Epimedium genus. Arrowleaf Barrenwort is native to China. Arrowleaf Barrenwort is also known as Chinese Epimedium, Horny Goat Weed.
Arrowleaf Barrenwort displays a low clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Arrowleaf Barrenwort produces delicate, small flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Epimedium sagittatum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Arrowleaf Barrenwort Need?
Arrowleaf Barrenwort thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Arrowleaf Barrenwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Arrowleaf Barrenwort Prefer?
Epimedium sagittatum grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Arrowleaf Barrenwort prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Arrowleaf Barrenwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Feed Arrowleaf Barrenwort every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Arrowleaf Barrenwort can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to barrenwort plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Arrowleaf Barrenwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Arrowleaf Barrenwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Arrowleaf Barrenwort?
Arrowleaf Barrenwort is susceptible to slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Arrowleaf Barrenwort Need?
Arrowleaf Barrenwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Arrowleaf Barrenwort is native to China. In cooler regions, grow Arrowleaf Barrenwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Arrowleaf Barrenwort is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Epimedium genus — compare its care with other Epimedium species on PlantoScan.
Epimedium is part of the Berberidaceae plant family — browse all Berberidaceae genera and species.
Arrowleaf Barrenwort copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Epimedium Species
Other Epimedium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Epimedium sagittatum Maxim., family Berberidaceae (first published in Mélanges Biol. Bull. Phys.-Math. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Pétersbourg 9: 713 (1876)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Arrowleaf Barrenwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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