THE CHINESE WATER GARDEN - Growing Chinese Vegetables in Your Own Backyard - page 167

stems that rise about 2 feet above the water. The midribs and veins underneath the
leaves are also violet. This taro rarely flowers, but the foliage is a picture in itself.
How to Grow
Getting started. Unlike lotus and water chestnut, this water plant doesn't need full sun.
In warmer climates, it prefers light to partial shade, but it tolerates more sun in cooler
areas. Taro is a bog plant and should have no more than 3 to 6 inches of water above its
soil line. You may have to prop up your taro pot in most water containers to bring it to
the proper depth.
Planting. The number of taro roots you can put in a pot depends upon the size of the
pot. Figure one root for a 7-inch-diameter pot that's 5 inches deep. A pot 19 inches in
diameter and 9 inches deep holds six roots. If you put more than one root in a pot, they
should be spaced evenly apart.
Set taro pot on bricks so that the soil surface is about 4” below the water line.