Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea)
Regular price $19.95Versatile and Nutritious Starch Source
Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) is a clump-forming tropical perennial prized for its edible, starchy rhizomes. Large, bright green, lance-shaped leaves rise from underground creeping rhizomes, creating a lush, upright form that brings both ornamental appeal and practical value to the garden. The rhizomes are harvested to make arrowroot starch, a fine, neutral-flavored powder prized for its easy digestibility and ability to create smooth, clear textures in cooking.
Native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, Arrowroot thrives in warm, humid conditions and spreads naturally through underground rhizomes. It is a useful addition to tropical food forests, garden beds, and containers, offering an edible harvest beneath an attractive canopy of foliage. With patience and a long growing season, the rhizomes can develop a substantial supply of starch.
Cultural & Culinary Significance
Arrowroot has been cultivated for centuries throughout tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean as both a food crop and traditional remedy. Its rhizomes are peeled, grated, and repeatedly rinsed in water to separate the starch, which is then dried and ground into a fine powder. Arrowroot starch is valued for thickening soups, sauces, gravies, jellies, and desserts, and its neutral flavor and clear finish make it especially useful in delicate recipes. Naturally gluten-free, it is also commonly used as an alternative to wheat flour or cornstarch in baking and cooking. Traditionally, Arrowroot has also been used for digestive complaints and in soothing skin preparations.
Why Grow Arrowroot?
- Harvest Your Own Starch: Turn homegrown rhizomes into versatile arrowroot powder.
- Gluten-Free Pantry Staple: Make a naturally gluten-free thickener for sauces, soups, desserts, and baking.
- Lush Tropical Foliage: Large, bright green leaves add an attractive tropical look to the garden.
- Easygoing Perennial: Once established, Arrowroot spreads through underground rhizomes and returns year after year in warm climates.
- Food Forest Favorite: Grow a practical, multipurpose crop that provides both edible rhizomes and beautiful foliage.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Maranta arundinacea |
| Common Names | Arrowroot, West Indian Arrowroot, Obedience Plant |
| Family | Marantaceae |
| Origin | Central and South America, Caribbean |
| Plant Type | Perennial Deciduous Herb |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | Up to 5 ft. tall |
| Light | Full Sun, Part Shade; tolerates higher light in cooler temperatures |
| Water Needs | High |
| Soil | Consistently moist, well-draining soil; avoid dense clay or very sandy soil |
| Bloom Time | Seasonal |
| Flower Color | White |
| USDA Zones | Outdoors 9–12 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+ |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Root Division |
| Seasonal Traits | Deciduous |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Harvest Season | 10–12 months, when leaves begin to fall and roots are thick with starch |
| Time to Harvest | 1–2 growing seasons |
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