Acid-Water Arrowhead
Sagittaria engelmanniana
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
high
Size
12"–36" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states
Pollinators
bees, flies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Sagittaria engelmanniana is an aquatic or wetland perennial with distinctive arrow-shaped leaves and white three-petaled flowers that bloom from July through September. This native plant thrives in consistently wet conditions and full sun, making it ideal for water gardens, pond edges, or rain gardens.
In an HOA neighborhood
Acid-Water Arrowhead takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Requires consistently wet conditions that may create drainage concerns
- Aquatic growth habit appears too specialized for typical landscaping
- May go dormant and disappear in winter leaving bare wet spots
Wildlife value
The white flowers attract bees and flies during the summer blooming period. As an aquatic native, it also provides habitat for wetland wildlife and waterfowl.
Common questions
- How much sun does Acid-Water Arrowhead need?
- Acid-Water Arrowhead grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Acid-Water Arrowhead bloom?
- Acid-Water Arrowhead blooms in July, August, and September.
- Where is Acid-Water Arrowhead native?
- Acid-Water Arrowhead (Sagittaria engelmanniana) is native to AL, CT, DE, FL and 14 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Acid-Water Arrowhead attract?
- Acid-Water Arrowhead draws bees and flies.
- Is Acid-Water Arrowhead HOA-friendly?
- Acid-Water Arrowhead takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
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