Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'

Also Known As

Colocasia 'Black Stem'
Colocasia antiquorum 'Fontanesii'
Black Stem Elephant's Ear
Fontanesii Black Taro
Fontanesii Cocoyam
Fontanesii Taro
Hardy Elephant Ear

Plant type

perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, aquatic, aroid

size

H: 4'-8'
W: 4'-5'

planting zones

9a-12

Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' plant details

Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' is a fast-growing broadleaf evergreen perennial aquatic aroid bulb / corm / tuber with black, purple and red foliage. white and yellow flowers emerge. Features glossy texture. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and standing water - regular water. Does well in acidic, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'

Plant type: perennial aquatic aroid bulb / corm / tuber
Plant family: araceae
Foliage: evergreen black, purple and red
Mature size: 4 FT - 5 FT - wide, 4 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: white and yellow blooms
Uses: big leaves, black stems, heart-shaped leaves, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'

USDA Zones: 9a - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: standing water - regular
Resistant to: heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: acidic, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Black Stemmed "Elephant Ear". Huge green leaves with a dark tint reaching up to 3' across sit atop giant (7') black stalks. Give this baby lots of heat and watch it grow.

By: Avant Gardens

This is an old favorite, tried and true elephant ear. Hardier than many others, this dark stemmed plant has nice heart-shaped green leaves that get burnished purple-silver tones. Dappled shade, lots of water, food and warmth will please it most. Easy, frost hardy in USDA zone 7 with mulch in well-drained soils.

By: Cistus Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'

Photo of Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' foliage by Avant Gardens

By: Avant Gardens

By: Danger Garden

By: Brian's Botanicals

View Original Photo

Gardening facts about Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii' plant

How to Grow Colocasia esculenta 'Fontanesii'

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly shade
Water Needs
- standing water - regular
Soil Needs
- acidic
- well-drained
- rich
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- humidity tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant

Features

Foliage Color
- red
- purple
- black
Flower Color
- white
- yellow
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Texture
- glossy

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Colocasia for your garden

Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris'

aka Colocasia esculenta, Colocasia esculenta var. antiquorum 'Illustris', Colocasia illustrius, Elephant Ear, Illustris Elephant's Ear, Illustris Imperial Taro, Taro