Chinese water chestnut is the sedge grown for its edible corms, not to be confused with the unrelated water caltrop. It is native to Asia, tropical Africa and Oceania and grows in marshes, mud and shallow water. It has upright, hollow, tube-like green stems up to about 1.5 m tall, so it is a pond or bog plant for shallow water rather than a submerged aquarium plant; it is grown in about 10 cm of water. It needs warm soil and full light. Wikipedia gives a soil pH of about 6.5–7.2 in a sandy loam. Our sources do not cover its use in aquariums; at most it suits a large paludarium or a tub pond. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eleocharisdulcis); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.
Breeding
Propagated from the corms, which are planted in spring in shallow water; transplanted young plants also work. Corms are harvested when they turn dark brown.
Compatibility and tank mates
Grown in shallow water with its stems in the air, so it is not a plant for a closed aquarium. Pond fish generally leave the tough stems alone.
Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.
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Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
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Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
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