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Sagittaria lancifolia

lanceleaf arrowhead

Alismataceae

Southeastern US, Caribbean, Central and South America

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 6–11

Overview

Sagittaria lancifolia is an emergent aquatic perennial in the water-plantain family that grows 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall in shallow water and saturated soil. Unlike many arrowheads, its leaves are lance- to elliptic-shaped rather than arrow-shaped, 8-24 inches (20-60 cm) long, leathery, and held upright on long stalks above the water. Whorls of white three-petaled flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across open along tall stalks in summer, with male flowers above and female flowers below on the same stem. The female flowers ripen into round, bur-like heads of flattened seeds. S. lancifolia grows from thick rhizomes and starchy tubers, spreading into dense colonies along marsh edges, ponds, ditches, and slow streams across the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and South America. It tolerates fresh and slightly brackish water and fluctuating levels but needs constant wet roots and full sun. In ponds and ditches it can spread aggressively and clog narrow channels. The top growth dies back in cold winters and resprouts from the tubers.

Native Range

Sagittaria lancifolia is native to the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America. It grows in freshwater and brackish marshes, pond margins, ditches, and slow-moving streams.

Suggested Uses

Sagittaria lancifolia is used in pond margins, rain gardens, constructed wetlands, and marsh restoration, where it stabilizes mud and filters water. Its upright leaves and white flowers add height at the water edge. The tubers and seeds feed ducks, marsh birds, and other wildlife.

How to Identify

Look for upright clumps of leathery, lance- to spear-tip-shaped leaves on long stalks rising from shallow water, with tall stalks of white three-petaled flowers in summer. The leaves lack the deep arrow notch of many relatives. The lance-shaped leaves separate it from common arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), whose leaves have two long backward-pointing lobes.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'

Width/Spread1'6" - 3'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Whorls of white three-petaled flowers open along tall stalks through summer, roughly May to September. Male flowers sit above the female flowers on the same stalk and draw bees and other insects. Round, bur-like seed heads follow and ripen in the water.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam silt

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Sagittaria lancifolia grows in full sun and standing water up to about 12 inches (30 cm) deep, or in constantly saturated mud. It needs wet roots at all times and will not survive in ordinary garden soil that dries out. It spreads quickly from rhizomes and tubers, forming dense stands that can crowd narrow ponds and channels. The plant tolerates fresh and mildly brackish water and handles swings in water level. In cold-winter areas the top dies back and regrows from the tubers in spring. Rich, mucky soil and full sun produce the strongest growth.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Dead leaves and spent flower stalks can be cut and removed to keep water clear and limit reseeding. Thinning the rhizomes every few years keeps colonies from overrunning small ponds.