Short-beaked Arrowhead Plant Care
Sagittaria brevirostra Mack. & Bush
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sagittaria brevirostra, common name Midwestern arrowhead or shortbeak arrowhead, is an aquatic plant species native to North America. It is a perennial herb growing up to 70 centimetres tall, with arrow-shaped leaves and white flowers.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Water Short-beaked Arrowhead every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 60–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Short-beaked Arrowhead Native To?
What Is the Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Short-beaked Arrowhead (Sagittaria brevirostra) belongs to the Alismataceae family within the Sagittaria genus. Short-beaked Arrowhead is native to North America.
Short-beaked Arrowhead displays an aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Short-beaked Arrowhead produces white, three-petaled flowers on tall stalks.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Sagittaria brevirostra requires watering every 2–4 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 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Short-beaked Arrowhead Need?
Short-beaked Arrowhead thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Short-beaked Arrowhead Prefer?
Sagittaria brevirostra grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Short-beaked Arrowhead prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Rich, loamy soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Short-beaked Arrowhead to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Feed Short-beaked Arrowhead 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 Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Can be repotted annually in 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 Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Short-beaked Arrowhead can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to broadleaf arrowhead plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Short-beaked Arrowhead Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Short-beaked Arrowhead, 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 Short-beaked Arrowhead?
Short-beaked Arrowhead is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners. 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 Short-beaked Arrowhead Need?
Short-beaked Arrowhead grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Short-beaked Arrowhead is native to North America. In cooler regions, grow Short-beaked Arrowhead as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Short-beaked Arrowhead 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 Sagittaria genus — compare its care with other Sagittaria species on PlantoScan.
Sagittaria is part of the Alismataceae plant family — browse all Alismataceae genera and species.
Short-beaked Arrowhead thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Sagittaria Species
Other Sagittaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Sagittaria brevirostra Mack. & Bush, family Alismataceae (first published in Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 14: 102 (1905)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Short-beaked Arrowhead, 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 13a, 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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