Sagittaria platyphylla
Broader, taller, more robust than Sagittaria subulata. Looks like a heavyweight Vallisneria with the same emerald-green colour but more substantial blades. Tolerates hard, alkaline tap water — the right background plant for African Rift biotopes that exclude most stems.
Giant Sagittaria (Sagittaria platyphylla) is a rosette aquatic plant for the background to midground of a planted tank. It reaches 20–50 cm under good conditions and grows at a medium rate. Light: medium to high. CO₂: not required. Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 5–20 dGH. Substrate: Nutrient-rich + root tabs. Propagate via runners.
Care at a glance
Broader, taller, more robust than Sagittaria subulata. Looks like a heavyweight Vallisneria with the same emerald-green colour but more substantial blades. Tolerates hard, alkaline tap water — the right background plant for African Rift biotopes that exclude most stems.
By Mike ElmiraUpdated 1 min read
Part of our complete guide to the planted aquarium.
The parameters that decide whether giant sagittaria fits in your tank.
Alismataceae
Rosette
Background to midground
Nutrient-rich + root tabs
Runners
Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
Tank-mate safety and the species this one is documented to thrive (or fail) alongside.
Direct answers to the questions search engines and AI assistants surface most often about this species.
CO₂ requirement: not required. Light requirement: medium to high. Under stable injected CO₂ the plant grows at a medium rate.
Giant Sagittaria (Sagittaria platyphylla) needs medium to high light. Run a photoperiod of 6–8 hours; longer photoperiods invite algae unless CO₂ and dosing are dialled in.
Position: background to midground. Substrate: Nutrient-rich + root tabs It typically reaches 20–50 cm.
Propagation method: Runners. Giant Sagittaria is a rosette plant.
Target 18–28 °C, pH 6.5–8.0, and 5–20 dGH. Flow tolerance: medium.
Difficulty: 1/5. Almost unkillable, a solid first-tank choice.
A planted tank is a system. Pair this plant with one entry from each other pillar to plan the whole scape.
