Aquatic plant that requires wet soils. Easily grown in standing water to 6" deep in full sun to part shade. Tolerates full shade. Plants may also be grown in consistently moist boggy soils. Propagate by seed or division. Plants will form dense expanding clumps over time, but do not colonize as aggressively as the similar arrowhead (Sagittaria) does.
the plant is rich in calcium oxylate, this is toxic and if consumed makes the mouth and digestive tract feel as though hundreds of tiny needles are being stuck into it. However, calcium oxylate is easily destroyed by thoroughly cooking or drying the plant