
The Taro is an aquatic plant that, botanically speaking, is called Colocasia esculenta and is characterized by large heart-shaped leaves. Originally from tropical and subtropical regions, the plant is considered one of the oldest domesticated varieties, grown both as a source of nourishing food and as a beautiful ornamental plant. When grown in a pond or water garden, an underwater Taro plant adds an exotic touch of lushness and can transform a water feature into a tropical paradise. In this guide, we’ll explore how to successfully grow Taro underwater, ensuring its thriving presence in your pond, while also maintaining its aesthetic and functional qualities.
Why Grow Taro in Your Pond?
The Taro plant underwater is a versatile plant that can flourish in both submerged and shallow water environments, making it an ideal choice for pond owners looking to enhance their water garden’s visual appeal. Growing Taro underwater can also provide various ecological benefits:
· Water Filtration: The Taro plant underwater helps absorb excess nutrients, reducing algae growth and improving water quality.
· Wildlife Habitat: The big leaves of the Taro plant underwater give shelter for fish, amphibians, and insects, therefore becoming very welcome in any water environment.
· Aesthetic Appeal: The bold, tropical foliage of this plant adds drama in height and texture to ponds, adding that lush and tropical feel.
With proper planting, the Taro plant underwater can flourish under optimal conditions, adding both aesthetic and functional value to your pond.
Taro Growing Conditions
Underwater, although the Taro plant is much adaptive, a little care toward certain environmental aspects would help with healthier growth for your underwater landscaping, and especially aquatic growth:
1. Water Depth and Placement
· Submerged vs. Shallow Water: Taro plants like to be planted in shallow water but can tolerate partial submersion. For the Taro plant underwater in your pond, plant it where there is between 6 inches to 18 inches of water above the soil. In deeper ponds, it is possible to grow Taro underwater with the roots submerged but the leaves above water.
· Most Suitable Location: Your Taro plant underwater should be planted in a spot where the water level remains relatively the same and does not have huge highs and lows. Generally speaking, an underwater Taro plant grows best where the water remains still; for this reason, the plant should not be put in the middle of strong currents or wave areas.
2. Sunlight Requirements
· Full Sun to Partial Shade: Taro needs a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day to grow properly, though it can tolerate partial shade. Hence, it can be suitable to grow in both the sun and partially shaded areas of your pond.
· Tropical Needs: Due to its tropical origins, Taro is an aquatic plant of a warm environment. Therefore, it would be apt to believe that your pond should receive ample sunlight to keep the water at the right temperature, which usually the plant favors in the range of 70°F to 85°F or 21°C to 29°C.
3. Soil and Nutrient Requirements
· Rich, Moist Soil: The Taro plant underwater enjoys rich, well-draining, and nutrient-laden soil to grow. So, planting of Taro underwater in your pond can be undertaken by filling in the planting basket with heavy loamy soil. This will also keep the root of the plant safe while letting the water run in it, while sandy and poor soils may not be conducive to its poor growth.
· Fertilization: with the Taro plant underwater, being a fast-growing plant, regular fertilizing will help induce lush foliage and root development. Use a fertilizer meant for aquatic plants with high levels of nitrogen and potassium, nutrients essential in the health of an underwater plant.
Planting Taro in Your Pond
The planting of Taro underwater in your pond is simple and straightforward; however, some factors should be pursued to perfection to ensure successful Taro growth under water.

1. Choosing the Correct Container
· Planting Basket: As this underwater Taro plant has the tendency to grow so invasive, the best thing to plant would be in the container. Get a big-sized, perforated planting basket wherein the roots would grow, spread out, keeping them contained therein. Let it be big, as the Taro underwater plants' root systems may get gigantic with time.
· Preparing the Soil: The container is then set with rich, loamy pond soil. You will not use potting or other garden soil in this scenario as it cannot sustain aquatic use. You may want to incorporate some slow-release aquatic fertilizer within it for nutrients if your water in the pond isn't really nutrient-rich.
2. Taro Planting
· Planting the Taro Corm: Put the Taro corm-the bulbous structure of the root-in the middle of your container, burying it 1 to 2 inches deep into the soil. Plant multiple corms about 6 to 12 inches apart so roots can grow.
· Submerge the Container: Plant the Taro plant in the water, and submerge the container in the pond, which it will remain in. Water should be approximately 6 to 18 inches above the soil surface. The leaves should not be submerged in the water as a result of this to avoid rot.
3. Plant Establishment
· Waterings and Maintenance: With ponds whose water level can rise and drop dramatically, take regular depth of the water so as to always ensure that Taro is under water at a certain level. Watch your plants frequently for over and underwater conditions with yellowing of leaves and growth stunt.
· Water Level Adjustment: As the Taro plant will grow underwater, you will have to adjust the water level to position it the best. Leaves drooping or looking waterlogged, you would want to lower the water level. On the other hand, if the plant is submerged a bit too deep and the leaves are beneath the water surface, it may not do well.
Care of the Pond Taro
Established, Taro is a low-maintenance aquatic plant underwater. However, there are a few tips to observe in ensuring it thrives through the whole season.
1. Regular Pruning
· Remove Dead or Yellowing Leaves: The Taro plant may have large, broad leaves that will catch debris every now and then. Trim them off because regular dead or yellowing leaves promote new growth of the plant and keep it looking neat.
· Prune Back in Winter: This Taro that is underwater dies back in the winter in a cooler region. Prune back before the first frost so not to contaminate the water with decaying leaves. Often, it's even brought out of the pond in a container to be stored indoors during winter and replanting in spring.
2. Pest and Diseases Control
· Inspect Regularly: The Taro plant underwater is basically immune to most pests and diseases but can sometimes be attacked by aphids, spider mites, or snails. Check the leaves and stems for these pests periodically.
· Proper Water Circulation: Ensure good water circulation around the plant to avoid stagnation that may cause fungal problems. If you ever find any signs of rot, remove them immediately to avoid further decaying.
3. Winter Care
· Hardy vs. Non-Hardy Varieties: Residents living in areas where there are freezing temperatures will need to take the Taro plant underwater indoors during winter. In tropical varieties, dig up the corms and store them in a cool place that is dry until replanting in the spring when the weather warms.
· Hardiness Zones: Aquatic Taro plants will typically be hardy within USDA zones 8-11. If you are in a colder zone, it is better to grow aquatic Taro in containers that may be moved inside during winter, or as an annual.
Why Choose Taro for Your Pond
The Taro plant underwater is quite an extraordinary plant that combines the factor of beauty with ecological added values for your pond. Planting Taro underwater or in shallow water adds that element of tropical flair that alone will enhance the overall aesthetics of your pond tenfold. On top of all that, this underwater taro plant enhances the quality of water, shelters local wildlife, and also provides texture and height to the water garden.
At POPOSOAP, we believe in the importance of nurturing an active aquatic environment. Our selection of pond care products, from plant fertilizers to water conditioners, will help ensure your Taro underwater is healthy and colorful year-round. Make your purchase of a Taro underwater plant today to benefit from its many advantages and good looks.
How to Grow Taro in Your Pond
The Taro plant underwater is an excellent choice for water gardeners who want to add a touch of drama and tropical flair to their pond. By learning about the correct planting conditions, maintaining the right water levels, and properly caring for the plant during the growing season, you can enjoy the lush, vibrant beauty of the Taro plant underwater for years to come. Whether it is an ordinary, tranquil pond or an ebullient water garden, the underwater plant of Taro will become one of the showiest items of the aquascaping.