Short-styled arrowhead plant Plant Care

Short-styled arrowhead plant (Trithuria inconspicua subsp. brevistyla) belongs to the Hydatellaceae family within the Trithuria genus. Short-styled arrowhead plant is native to the South Island of New Zealand.

Short-styled arrowhead plant displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Short-styled arrowhead plant produces tiny inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Short-styled arrowhead plant every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Short-styled arrowhead plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Trithuria inconspicua subsp. brevistyla tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Short-styled arrowhead plant prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Sandy, loamy soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Short-styled arrowhead plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Short-styled arrowhead plant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and sandy, loamy soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Short-styled arrowhead plant is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Short-styled arrowhead plant can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Short-styled arrowhead plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Short-styled arrowhead plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Short-styled arrowhead plant can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to slender mudmat plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Short-styled arrowhead plant is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.

Short-styled arrowhead plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Short-styled arrowhead plant is native to the South Island of New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Short-styled arrowhead plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.