Description
Plant Profile
Sagittaria Pusillus, commonly known as Arrowhead, is a hardy carpeting plant that makes a fantastic addition to any foreground. If you are looking for an option that is highly forgiving and adapts to a wide variety of water parameters, this beginner-friendly species is a top-tier choice. Visually, it stands out as one of the taller grass-like carpeting options in the hobby, boasting bold green tones and elegant, ribbon-like leaves. It readily spreads across your substrate via runners, working hard to establish a thick, lush carpet that brings incredible depth and life to your aquascape.
Key Features & Benefits
Bold green leaves form a tall grass carpet across the foreground.
Forgiving species that thrives in low-tech setups.
Provides foraging ground, shelter, and security for baby fish, dwarf shrimp, and nano inhabitants.
Care & Planting Instructions
Maintain at least moderate lighting to keep the plant healthy, or increase the light intensity to coax out beautiful streaks of red in its leaves.
Inject pressurized CO2 to drastically accelerate runner expansion, though CO2 is optional in low-tech setups.
Propagate by trimming horizontal runners from mature mother plants and replanting daughter crowns into open substrate.
Master the basics by learning how to properly grow aquarium carpet plants to ensure your new layout fills in quickly, evenly, and stays free of algae.
Quick Facts
Listed information should be treated as general guidelines only. Team Buce Plant encourages you to do thorough research to ensure healthy growth!
Attribute
Specification
Scientific Name
Sagittaria pusilla
Common Name(s)
Arrowhead, Sagittaria Pusillus
Family
Alismataceae
Plant Type / Taxonomy
Rosette / Carpeting Foreground
Care Difficulty
Easy
Light Requirement
Low to Medium (High light unlocks red hues)
CO2 Requirement
Optional (Promotes much faster carpeting)
Placement / Usage
Foreground to Midground
Height / Size
3-6 inches
Growth Rate
Moderate
Water Parameters
pH 6.0 – 7.8 | Temperature 68°F – 82°F (20°C – 28°C)
Propagation Method
Separate and replant horizontal runners
Origin
South America
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I make Sagittaria Pusillus produce red leaves?
Under moderate lighting, Sagittaria Pusillus stays solid green. Providing high-intensity aquarium lighting along with adequate micronutrients (especially iron) will cause the foliage to develop beautiful reddish or brownish streaking.
2. Can Sagittaria Pusillus be grown without CO2?
Yes! Sagittaria Pusillus is an extremely hardy, low-tech friendly species that thrives without pressurized CO2. Adding CO2 will simply speed up runner production and create a thicker, denser carpet faster.
3. How do I trim and control the spread of Sagittaria Pusillus?
Because Sagittaria Pusillus spreads via subterranean runners, simply clip the horizontal runner under the substrate with curved scissors whenever it invades unwanted areas, and pull up the stray daughter plant to replant elsewhere.
