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    • Photo of Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' foliage by Leafari

    Photo by Leafari

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

    Also Known As

    • Taro

    Plant type

    perennial, bulb / corm / tuber, aquatic, aroid

    size

    • H: 3'-6'
    • W: 3'-6'

    planting zones

    • 8a-12

    More Options

    Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' plant details

    Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial aquatic aroid bulb / corm / tuber with black and purple foliage. In summer flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and high - regular water. Does well in average and rich soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

    Plant type: perennial aquatic aroid bulb / corm / tuber
    Plant family: araceae
    Foliage: deciduous black and purple
    Mature size: 3 FT - 6 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
    Uses: container plant, heart-shaped leaves, houseplant, tropical-looking

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

    USDA Zones: 8a - 12
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: high - regular
    Resistant to: heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average and rich

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Colocasia 'Black Magic' is a taro or elephant ear with large, dramatic, arrow-shaped, purplish-black leaves. It can be grown as a marginal plant in ponds or in pots or beds with evenly moist soil. Yellowish-white spathes and spadixes may appear in summer but are usually hidden by the foliage. Though potentially hardy they are best brought in as a houseplant.

    By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

    Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ is a large, striking plant with unusual, dark purple-black, heart-shaped 2′ leaves overlaid with green.

    By: Little Prince of Oregon

    Elephant Ears Black Magic is one of the most spectacular Colocasia plants ever introduced. Its dusty solid purple-black leaves grow up to 2 feet long. Black Magic grows to a giant clump up to 5-6 feet tall with an equally wide spread. Prefers sun to partial shade. Elephant Ear varieties are hardy in zones 7-10 as perennials and suitable in zones 4-6 as annuals. They are popular as annuals due to their rapid growth - colocasia makes a dramatic impact to the landscape within just one season.

    By: Florida Hill Nursery

    A perfect plant for accenting the summer garden or potted container, the Black Magic is fast growing and has eye-catching appeal. The leaves and stems are actually a dark purple. When they are well watered and placed in a bright growing area watch how quickly the plant fills out. This is a cultivar of the taro root that's used as a food staple in tropical regions. Plants bedded outside in summer can be lifted and wintered-over as potted plants inside.

    By: Logee's Plants for Home & Garden

    Colocasia Black Magic is one of the most dramatic foliage plants in the garden. It has been around for years and is believed to have originated out of Hawaii. Black magic has exceptionally dark purple to black foliage. The leaves are heart shaped, 1 to 2 feet long and 1 foot wide or larger. The new foliage is green and darkens in full sun. Plants reach 4 feet tall but I have seen a few 6 foot plants in well watered gardens. Foliage: Large dark heart shaped foliage Flowers: dark maroon flowers Height: terrestrial 3 to 6 feet

    By: Brian's Botanicals

    Large black heart-shaped leaves to 2' across. A perennial, especially for wet to moist areas. Great foliage and easy to grow. Soil level can be submerged 1-2" below the water level in garden ponds.

    By: Almost Eden

    Black Leaf Elephant Ear is a plant that will add drama to your garden or large containers. This plant has black leaves up to 2' long and can reach heights of 5' if given lots of heat and moisture. In areas where this plant is not hardy, the tuberous roots can be dug and stored like Dahlias.

    By: Avant Gardens

    Ever popular black foliage elephant ear can be grown in water. Smaller version of the C. esculenta. The stems and leaves are a deep purple when grown in bright light and the plants of this cultivar do not grow as large as C. esculenta.

    By: Rare Plant Research

    Gardening facts about Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' plant

    How to Grow Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • high - regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • purple
      • black

    • Flower Season

      • summer

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous

    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

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aquatic, Aroid

    Zones

    9a-12

    Size

    Height: 3'-6'

    Width: 3'-6'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • standing water - regular
    Photo of Colocasia antiquorum 'Illustris' foliage by Rare Plant Research
    View Plant

    More Options

    Colocasia fallax

    aka Dwarf Taro, Silver Leaf Dwarf Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Groundcover, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aquatic, Aroid

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 1'-2'

    Width: 2'-4'

    • mostly sun - shade
    • standing water - high
    Photo of Colocasia fallax foliage by Brian's Botanicals
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    More Options

    Colocasia esculenta 'Diamond Head'

    aka Diamond Head Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aroid

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-4'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • mostly sun - bright shade
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Colocasia esculenta 'Diamond Head' foliage by Leafari
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    More Options

    Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito'

    aka Mojito Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aroid

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-5'

    Width: 3'-5'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Colocasia esculenta 'Mojito' foliage by Leafari
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    More Options

    Colocasia gigantea

    aka Giant Elephant Ear

    Plant Type

    Perennial, Bulb / Corm / Tuber, Aroid

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-10'

    Width: 6'-10'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • even moisture - regular
    Photo of Colocasia gigantea foliage by Danger Garden
    View Plant
    +69 more Colocasia
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