How to grow Queensland Arrowroot in Australia
Queensland arrowroot (Canna edulis), also called achira, is an edible canna: a tall, leafy clump with red flowers and starchy underground rhizomes. It was one of the first crops grown in the Andes. In warm Australian gardens it is valued as much for its leaves, which make mulch, compost and stock feed, as for the rhizomes.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Queensland Arrowroot in Australia
At a glance
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | October to December | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | October to December | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to December | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | November and December | Marginal. Plant rhizomes Nov to Dec in warm soil. Frost burns the tops; mulch well and the clump reshoots in spring. |
| Adelaide & SA | October to December | |
| Perth & WA | October to December | |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. The season is too short and cool for the tubers to bulk up. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable. Hard frosts and a short season leave no time for tubers to form. |
| North Queensland | November to February | Plant rhizomes Nov to Feb as the wet sets in. Clumps grow fast in the rain and tubers are ready by the late dry. |
| Darwin & Top End | November to February | Plant rhizomes Nov to Feb as the wet sets in. Clumps grow fast in the rain and tubers are ready by the late dry. |
Not to be confused with: The arrowroot sold as a powdered thickener, which usually comes from a different plant (Maranta arundinacea, true or West Indian arrowroot). Queensland arrowroot is a canna, Canna edulis.
Where to plant
Queensland arrowroot grows in almost any soil in a warm, sunny spot, and flourishes in damp to moist ground. It is drought tolerant once established, but rhizome crops are much better with water in dry spells. Growth is much slower in cool areas.
It spreads into a large clump. Do not plant it beside dams, creeks or waterways, where it can spread beyond the garden.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, North Queensland and Darwin: grows vigorously. In the tropics plant rhizomes from November to February as the wet season sets in.
- Sydney, Perth and Adelaide: grow it in the warmest, most sheltered spot, planting in late spring once the soil is warm.
- Melbourne: marginal. Plant in November or December in warm soil and mulch well; frost burns the tops and the clump reshoots in spring.
- Canberra and Hobart: not suitable. Hard frosts and a short, cool season leave no time for the rhizomes to form.
How to plant
- Take a piece of rhizome with at least one eye (growing bud) from an established clump.
- Plant it about 10 cm deep in warm soil, in late spring or early summer.
- Space pieces about 45 cm apart for a rhizome crop, or further apart for a screen.
- Water in and keep the soil moist while shoots appear.
Watering and feeding
Water weekly in dry spells for the best rhizome harvest; plants grown only for leaves and mulch need water just occasionally. Compost or manure dug in at planting helps the clump bulk up.
Pruning and care through the year
- Cut leaves and stems several times through the warm season for mulch, compost or animal feed. The clump regrows quickly.
- Use cut stems as chop and drop mulch around nearby plants, or grow a row as a summer windbreak and shade for tender vegetables.
- Dig out the edges of the clump if it spreads further than you want.
Harvesting
Dig rhizomes while they are young, about the size of a tennis ball with white skin, before they become fibrous. Advice on timing varies: Gardening Australia's Jerry Coleby-Williams plants at Christmas and harvests in May, while other growers leave clumps 12 to 18 months for larger rhizomes. Older rhizomes are tougher.
Replant a few pieces with eyes for the next crop.
Growing in pots
It grows in a large pot, at least 50 cm wide, kept well watered. Expect a smaller clump and crop than in the ground, and divide it when it fills the pot.
Using it
- Peel and cook the rhizomes. Steam or boil them like potatoes, roast them, or slice thinly into chips. A little lemon juice in the cooking water stops them darkening.
- Grate cooked rhizome into stews and casseroles as a thickener. The starch can be extracted for baking.
- Fresh leaves and stems are useful stock feed and a fast source of mulch and compost material.
Propagating
Divide the clump or cut rhizome pieces that each carry an eye, and replant them. This is the usual way to grow it.
Pests and diseases
Queensland arrowroot is rarely troubled by pests or disease in warm gardens.
Queensland Arrowroot is rarely troubled by pests or disease.
Common questions
Is Queensland arrowroot the same as arrowroot powder?
Not usually. Most commercial arrowroot starch comes from West Indian arrowroot, Maranta arundinacea, a different plant. Queensland arrowroot is an edible canna, Canna edulis. Its starch was once produced in Queensland too, but most home gardeners simply eat the cooked rhizomes.
How do you eat Queensland arrowroot?
Peel the rhizomes and cook them: steam, boil, roast or slice them into chips. Grated cooked rhizome thickens stews. Young rhizomes are the most tender.
When do you harvest Queensland arrowroot?
Dig the rhizomes while they are young and about tennis ball size, before they turn fibrous. Some growers harvest about five months after planting, others leave clumps for 12 to 18 months for a bigger crop.
Can you feed arrowroot leaves to chickens?
Yes. The leaves and stems are a popular fodder and mulch crop in South East Queensland, and can be cut several times through the warm season.
Does Queensland arrowroot spread?
Yes, the clump spreads steadily from its rhizomes and likes damp soil. Keep it away from dams and waterways, and dig out the edges if it grows too far.
How do I plant Queensland arrowroot?
Plant a piece of rhizome with at least one eye about 10 cm deep in warm soil in late spring or summer, and keep it moist until shoots appear.
Sources we checked: Jerry Coleby-Williams: What can I grow as stock feed in SE Queensland?; Yandina Community Gardens: Arrowroot; Daley's Fruit Tree Nursery: Queensland arrowroot; Green Harvest: Arrowroot; Green Harvest: West Indian arrowroot.