How to Grow Water Chestnut

Updated June 2026

A warm-season root crop for the home garden.

Water Chestnut is a rewarding warm-season crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Water Chestnut, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

Plant Water Chestnut in spring once the soil has warmed and all frost has passed. In the warmest regions a second crop is possible in late summer. See your region on the water chestnut page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Chinese Water Chestnut, Crisp aquatic corm (specialty growers)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 12 in between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 2 in deep.
• Water: roughly 6.6 gal per plant every day in hot weather.

Pests & problems

In humid regions, space plants for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Water Chestnut is usually ready to harvest in about 6 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant water chestnut where you garden.

See also: Water Chestnut in the plant library →

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