Crested Arrowhead Plant Care
Sagittaria cristata Engelm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sagittaria cristata, the crested arrowhead, is a perennial herb growing up to 75 centimetres tall. The leaves are flat, long and narrow, not lobed, and up to 40 cm (16 in) long.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Crested Arrowhead?
Water Crested 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.
What Is the Crested Arrowhead?
Crested Arrowhead (Sagittaria cristata) belongs to the Alismataceae family within the Sagittaria genus. Crested Arrowhead is also known as Duck Potato.
Crested Arrowhead displays an aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Crested Arrowhead produces white, three-petaled flowers on tall stalks.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Crested Arrowhead?
Sagittaria cristata 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 Crested Arrowhead Need?
Crested Arrowhead thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Crested Arrowhead Prefer?
Sagittaria cristata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Crested 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 Crested Arrowhead?
Rich, loamy soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Crested Arrowhead to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Crested Arrowhead?
Feed Crested 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 Crested 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 Crested Arrowhead?
Crested Arrowhead can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to broadleaf arrowhead plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Crested Arrowhead Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Crested 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 Crested Arrowhead?
Crested 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 Crested Arrowhead Need?
Crested Arrowhead grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Crested Arrowhead as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Crested 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.
Crested 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 cristata Engelm., family Alismataceae (first published in Proc. Davenport Acad. Nat. Sci. 4: 29 (1883)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Crested 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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