{"id":315,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:06","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=315"},"modified":"2025-08-04T00:24:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T00:24:34","slug":"queensland-arrowroot","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/queensland-arrowroot\/","title":{"rendered":"Queensland arrowroot"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Canna edulis<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Achira, Canna Achira, edible canna<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Queensland arrowroot (Canna edulis<\/i>) is a hardy perennial<\/b> in the canna lily family, reaching up to 2<\/b>\u202f<\/b>m tall<\/b> with big, tropical-looking leaves and thick underground rhizomes. If you\u2019ve ever seen ornamental cannas, this is their edible cousin \u2014 but instead of just looking pretty, it feeds you too.<\/p>\r\n

Climate:<\/b> It thrives in tropical and subtropical regions<\/b>, but grows happily in temperate zones too. In cooler climates, it may die back in winter and reshoot in spring<\/b>. In very cold regions with heavy frost or snow, treat it like an annual by replanting rhizomes each spring.<\/p>\r\n

Sun & soil:<\/b> Prefers full sun<\/b>, but will cope with light shade<\/b>. It\u2019s not fussy about soil \u2014 anything from rich loam to clay \u2014 though you\u2019ll get the best growth in deep, fertile soil<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

Water & drought:<\/b> Will handle drought<\/b> like a champion once established but also thrives in boggy areas<\/b>, making it one of those rare \u201cplant anywhere\u201d crops. More water equals bigger, juicier tubers, but I\u2019ve never watered mine and they still flourish.<\/p>\r\n

Planting & propagation:<\/b> Easiest thing in the world. Just dig up a tuber and replant it in its new home. Make sure each piece has at least one \u201ceye\u201d<\/b> (growing point). A single clump can give you dozens of new plants every year.<\/p>\r\n

Maintenance:<\/b> Basically zero. You can mulch and feed if you want extra lush growth, but it will survive neglect better than almost any other edible plant I know.

<\/p>\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Queensland arrowroot isn\u2019t a \u201csuperfood\u201d like Kang Kong or Drumstick tree, but it\u2019s hugely valuable for calories and bulk in a survival garden<\/b>.<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  • The tubers are rich in easily digestible starch<\/b>, making them ideal for people with sensitive stomachs or recovering from illness.<\/li>\r\n
  • Contains potassium, calcium, and phosphorus<\/b> for strong bones and healthy muscles.<\/li>\r\n
  • Has a small but useful amount of protein<\/b> \u2014 not a lot, but enough to count when paired with other foods.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Traditionally, arrowroot flour (made by washing and drying the tuber starch) has been used for soothing upset stomachs<\/b>and thickening soups for invalids. In a survival situation, that kind of gentle, filling food can be invaluable.<\/p>\r\n

    Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

    Arrowroot gruel:<\/strong> Rhizome starch mixed with water and simmered to create a bland, soothing porridge for upset stomachs.
    Poultice:<\/strong> Grated rhizome applied externally to soothe minor burns or rashes (folk remedy).
    Detox tonic:<\/strong> Mild decoction used in traditional South American medicine to \u201ccool\u201d the body.

    <\/p>\r\n

    Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    Arrowroot is one of the most versatile starchy plants you can grow<\/b> \u2014 and you can eat almost every part of it.<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n
    • Young tips and unfurled leaves<\/b> can be steamed, stir-fried, or tossed into soups for a mild, spinach-like green.<\/li>\r\n
    • The tubers<\/b> are the real prize: slightly sweet, crunchy when raw, and smooth and filling when cooked.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Flavour & texture:<\/b> Mild, a little like water chestnut raw and a cross between potato and yam when cooked.<\/p>\r\n

      Storage tip:<\/b> Harvest as needed. Tubers will keep for weeks if left in the ground but dry out quickly once dug up unless stored in a cool, dark place.<\/p>\r\n

      Simple recipe ideas:<\/b><\/p>\r\n

      – Arrowroot Chips<\/b> \u2013 Slice tubers into wedges, toss in oil and salt, and roast until golden and crisp.
      – Soup Thickener<\/b> \u2013 Grate a tuber straight into a simmering soup or stew \u2014 it melts in and thickens beautifully.
      – Stir-Fried Shoots<\/b> \u2013 Snip young shoots and fry with garlic and soy for a quick green side dish.
      – Mashed Arrowroot<\/b> \u2013 Cook peeled tubers longer than you would potatoes, then mash with butter and herbs.
      – Tropical Hash<\/b> \u2013 Cube tubers and fry them up with onion, chilli, and a handful of herbs for a hearty breakfast or side dish.

      <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

      \"\"\r\n
      Queensland arrowroot tubers cleaned & ready for cooking.

      <\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

      Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n
      • Mulch machine:<\/b> You can cut the lush leaves back to the ground several times a year \u2014 perfect for making thick mulch or feeding your compost heap.<\/li>\r\n
      • Animal fodder:<\/b> The protein-rich leaves are great for chooks, ducks, pigs, and goats.<\/li>\r\n
      • Garden helper:<\/b> Arrowroot plants make brilliant windbreaks<\/b> and living borders for veggie beds, while improving soil health with their constant organic matter.

        <\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        Why it\u2019s a survival plant:<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

        Bulletproof hardiness<\/b> \u2013 grows in bogs, drought, poor soil, sun, or shade.
        Year-round food<\/b> \u2013 tubers, leaves, and shoots can all be harvested whenever you need them.
        Multi-purpose crop<\/b> \u2013 food, mulch, fodder, and shelter all from one plant.<\/p>\r\n

        In short: if you only plant a handful of survival crops, make sure Queensland arrowroot is one of them.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Queensland arrowroot is one of the toughest and most versatile edible perennials<\/b> you can grow. It provides a year-round supply of starchy tubers and lush green foliage, thriving almost anywhere \u2014 a true survival plant you can rely on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":54,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[39,41,45],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-315","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-drought-resistant-plants","7":"product_cat-mulch-plants","8":"product_cat-soups-and-curries","10":"first","11":"instock","12":"shipping-taxable","13":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t