Guayana Arrowhead Plant Care
Sagittaria guayanensis Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Sagittaria guayanensis, the Guyanese arrowhead, is a perennial aquatic plant species native to both the Old and New World. It has broadly hastate (arrow-shaped) leaves with ovate lobes.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Guayana Arrowhead?
Water Guayana 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 Guayana Arrowhead?
Guayana Arrowhead (Sagittaria guayanensis) belongs to the Alismataceae family within the Sagittaria genus. Guayana Arrowhead is native to both the Old and New World.
Guayana Arrowhead displays an aquatic perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Guayana Arrowhead produces white, three-petaled flowers on tall stalks.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Guayana Arrowhead?
Sagittaria guayanensis 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 Guayana Arrowhead Need?
Guayana Arrowhead thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Guayana Arrowhead Prefer?
Sagittaria guayanensis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Guayana 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 Guayana Arrowhead?
Rich, loamy soil with good moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Guayana Arrowhead to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Guayana Arrowhead?
Feed Guayana 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 Guayana 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 Guayana Arrowhead?
Guayana Arrowhead can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to broadleaf arrowhead plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Guayana Arrowhead Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Guayana 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 Guayana Arrowhead?
Guayana 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 Guayana Arrowhead Need?
Guayana Arrowhead grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Guayana Arrowhead is native to both the Old and New World. In cooler regions, grow Guayana Arrowhead as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Guayana 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.
Guayana 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 guayanensis Kunth, family Alismataceae (first published in Nov. Gen. Sp. [H.B.K.] 1: 250 (ed. q°); 199 (ed. f°). 1816) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Guayana 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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