Eleocharis dulcis
Family: Cyperaceae

Widely cultivated in China and Southeast Asia, water chestnuts are an important part of the diet in those countries. The sweet, crunchy, edible tubers are eaten raw or cooked, although most people in the UK will be more familiar with the canned product.

Cultivation

Water chestnuts are grown in shal­low water, in the same way as rice, in very rich soil with some added lime. They need full sun and high temperatures. Therefore, in cool and cold climate they would need to be grown in a warm greenhouse. Sowing to maturity takes about seven months and during this period they need frost-free conditions. Tubers should be planted in spring, 50 cm (20 in) apart, and kept quite moist until the plants are about 10-15 cm (4-6 in) high. At this stage, the area must be flooded and the water maintained at this level. In autumn, the area is drained to harden off the tubers. The tubers are then dug up and stored.

Climate

Zone 9.