Plant Care Arrowroot

Arrowroot

About Arrowroot

Arrowroot is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Arrowroot likes soil that is good at retaining moisture. You may want to supplement with a gentle, organic fertilizer throughout the peak growing season.

Taxonomy

Thalia geniculata
Thalia
Marantaceae
Zingiberales

Also known as

bent alligator-flag and fire-flag

How to care for Arrowroot

💦 Water

How often to water your Arrowroot

Water needs for Arrowroot
0.5 cups
every 9

Arrowroot needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Arrowroot in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Arrowroot: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Arrowroot love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Arrowroot does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Arrowroot in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Arrowroot

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Arrowroot: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Arrowroot after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Arrowroot prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Arrowroot requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Arrowroot is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.


🪴 Soil

Arrowroot is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

What Are Healthy Arrowroot Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Arrowroot is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Arrowroot grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Arrowroot Lifecycle →

Arrowroot Size Guide →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Arrowroot can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Arrowroot Hardiness Zones →

Is Arrowroot a Weed? →


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Arrowroot, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Arrowroot

Arrowroot


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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