Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic' | Elephant Ear Plant
An enchanting pondside plant
Grown by Caroline
Enfield
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Plant diary
- Flower
- Harvest
Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic'
Elephant Ear Plant
- Large, heart shaped leaves (up to 60cm long) which emerge green and darken to a deep purple-black
- Grow this moisture loving foliage plant by the pondside, in borders or even in containers. Suitable for conservatories
- Maximum impact for minimal work - this is a low maintenance plant which doesn't require pruning
- Thrives in sunny or partly shady conditions, will need winter protection
- All parts are posinous if eaten uncooked and can irritate skin - wear gloves and wash hands after gardening
What to expect
Supplied as
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Habit
Hardiness
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic' is well-suited to being grown in a pot, provided it is kept in consistently moist or waterlogged soil.
How big does it get?
The Elephant Ear Plant can reach an impressive height of 1.2-1.5 metres with a spread of 1 metre.
How much sunlight does this need?
Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic' prefers full sun to partial shade.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
Elephant Ear Plant prefers a rich, consistently moist or waterlogged soil, often doing well in pond margins.
How much watering does this plant need?
The Elephant Ear Plant needs abundant watering to keep the soil consistently moist, and it can even tolerate shallow water.
Will this plant need pruning?
The Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic' should be cut back to about 5 cm above the soil level in late autumn before temperatures drop below 5°C.
How hardy is this plant?
Colocasia rubra 'Black Magic' is tender (H1b), requiring temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, meaning it must be brought indoors or into a heated greenhouse over winter in the UK.
The wider garden
Enfield
Meet Caroline
A deep dive into sustainable gardening
Nestled amongst wildlife meadows and resident ducks, Caroline’s award winning pond plant nursery in Enfield has been making a splash since 1965, when they invented the (recycled, obvs) aquatic basket. Sixty years and multiple RHS gold medals later, they’re still surprising us with new varieties every year!
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