Repotting guide

When & how to repot Green Arrow Arum (Peltandra virginica)

Also called arrow arum, tuckahoe, Virginia tuckahoe, bog onion.

More about green arrow arum

About Green Arrow Arum

Peltandra virginica · also called arrow arum, tuckahoe · flowering

Green Arrow Arum is a native North American aquatic perennial with bold, glossy arrow-shaped leaves up to 30 cm long. It thrives at pond margins or in shallow water to 20 cm deep, forms dense non-aggressive clumps, and bears greenish-white spathes in late spring. All parts contain calcium oxalate and are toxic if eaten raw.

Mature size: 50–90 cm tall, 45–60 cm spread

How to tell green arrow arum needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For green arrow arum, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot green arrow arum

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Green Arrow Arum's growth habit — clump-forming deciduous aquatic perennial spreading by short rhizomes — sets the pace. Green Arrow Arum is a native North American aquatic perennial with bold, glossy arrow-shaped leaves up to 30 cm long. It thrives at pond margins or in shallow water to 20 cm deep, forms dense non-aggressive clumps, and bears greenish-white spathes in late spring. All parts contain calcium oxalate and are toxic if eaten raw.

What size pot to step green arrow arum up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Green Arrow Arum stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot green arrow arum

Spring or summer, while green arrow arum is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting green arrow arum

Repot dry. Do not water green arrow arum for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty heavy, humus-rich aquatic loam or clay ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set green arrow arum at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep green arrow arum completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for green arrow arum

Green Arrow Arum wants heavy, humus-rich aquatic loam or clay. Use lime-free, humus-rich loam in aquatic baskets. Avoid sandy or gritty mixes that leach nutrients into the water. Tolerates acid to neutral pH (5.5–7.0). Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting green arrow arum — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot green arrow arum?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for green arrow arum. Repot green arrow arum every 2–3 years into a snug pot of heavy, humus-rich aquatic loam or clay, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does green arrow arum need?

When is the best time of year to repot green arrow arum?

Should you water green arrow arum after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot green arrow arum into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise green arrow arum after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting green arrow arum. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.