Sagittaria latifolia

RHS Plant Profile
wapato

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wapato RHS
wapato RHS 2002

Other common names

American arrowhead, duck potato, various-leaved arrowhead

Aquatic
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This plant is listed as an invasive non-native species in Great Britain – see Cultivation section for details A marginal aquatic perennial with usually arrow-shaped leaves, to 30cm in length, and racemes of whorled white flowers, 4cm across, in summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Alismataceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Sagittaria can be marginal or submerged aquatic, tuberous perennials or annuals, with linear, lance-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves and panicles of 3-petalled white flowers in summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Canada to W South America

How to Grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause it to grow in the wild in Great Britain. See advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

See cultivation notes

Pests

See cultivation notes

Diseases

See cultivation notes