West Indian Arrowroot PLANT (Maranta arundinacea) – True Arrowroot – Heirloom & Untreated
Also known as: Obedience Plant, Araru

Grow your own source of authentic, gluten-free flour! West Indian Arrowroot is the true, commercially used arrowroot variety, prized for its versatile, nutty-flavoured rhizomes. This easy-to-grow, evergreen perennial is perfect for your food forest or garden, providing a reliable harvest of starchy tubers.

Enjoy the young, less fibrous tubers raw, baked, or in stir-fries. For its most famous use, the mature rhizomes can be processed into a pure, easily digestible, gluten-free starch—an excellent thickening agent for sauces, gravies, and baked goods, ideal for those with dietary sensitivities.

A Digestive-Friendly Superfood:
Recent scientific research confirms what traditional medicine has long known. Arrowroot starch is:

• Easily Digestible: Perfect for infants, the elderly, and individuals with celiac disease or digestive issues.

• Gluten-Free: A superb, neutral-flavoured alternative to wheat flour.

• Versatile in Cooking: Used in everything from porridge and curries to cakes, jellies, and as an ice cream stabilizer.
  (Source: Malki et al., 2023)

Please Note: This is the true Maranta arundinacea and is not related to the Queensland Arrowroot (Canna edulis).

Product Details:

• Price is for one (1) young West Indian Arrowroot plant supplied in a small nursery pot.

• Please note: The product image is an example. The plant you receive will be at a similar stage of growth.

• Naturally grown with care in our permaculture food forest in Pacific Haven, QLD.

• Dispatch within Australia only. Unfortunately, we cannot send to Norfolk Island, NT, SA, TAS, or WA.

• Local pick-up is available by appointment.

Planting & Growing Tips

• Initial Care: Upon arrival, give your plant a good drink and place it in a partially shaded, sheltered spot. Allow it to recover from its journey in the original pot for a few days before transplanting.

• Transplanting: Re-pot or plant into the garden when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes. Water thoroughly immediately after planting.

• Position: Prefers a warm, partially shaded spot with rich, well-drained soil. It will not tolerate waterlogged conditions, so a slightly raised garden bed is ideal.

• Care: A low-maintenance plant that will form a clump. Harvest rhizomes as needed, leaving some in the ground to ensure the plant continues to thrive.

Additional Notes

• Sun Acclimatisation: Our nursery plants are grown in partial shade. Gradually introduce them to more sun over several days before planting them in their permanent position.

• Disclaimer: As with any new food, we recommend you research before consumption. Please also see the full disclaimer in the footer of this page.