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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral'

Black Coral Elephant Ear

Typical UK price

£18

Limited data

Price by size

Sold, 90 days
1
Middle half
-
Last sold
7 Sep 2026
On record
6
Cutting/cormEstimate
7cm1 sold
12cm5 sold
MatureEstimate
  • Sale
  • Typical
  • Middle half
  • Estimate
for a 7cm pot
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About Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral'

Black Coral is similar in size and glossy leaf form to Diamond Head, but pushes the colour even further into an even darker, blacker leaf with a subtle bluish glossy sheen along the venation. It's a patented, long-stalked selection with heart-shaped jet-black leaves that reads as one of the most intensely dark Colocasia cultivars in cultivation.

Native range

Cultivated colour selection of Colocasia esculenta, patented (US PP23896).

Classification

Genus
Colocasia
Family
Araceae
Type
Cultivar
Growth habit
Upright clumping, tuberous
Form of
Colocasia esculenta

Morphology

Leaf shape
Large peltate heart-shape
Leaf length
30-45 cm
Leaf width
25-38 cm
Petiole colour
Long, dark, glossy black
Venation
Slightly bluish glossy venation against a jet-black blade
Texture
Glossy
Variegation
Glossy jet-black leaf, even darker than Diamond Head, with slightly bluish glossy venation
Growth habit
Upright clumping from a central tuber/corm

Recent UK sales

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For sale in the UK

Current listings on eBay UK

By month

MonthMedianSold
Sep 2026£181
Jul 2026£154
Jun 2026£171

Before you buy

  • The plain species is inexpensive and widely available as corms or potted plants each spring
  • For 'Black Magic' or other named colour selections, confirm the leaf colour in photos matches the named form
  • Check corms are firm, not soft or mouldy, if buying bare-root
  • All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic if ingested raw; keep away from pets and children

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral' care

Substrate
Rich, moisture-retentive mix: 50% potting compost, 30% loam, 20% perlite. Tolerates boggy conditions better than most aroids.
Watering
Keep consistently moist; this species tolerates and often prefers wetter soil than typical houseplants, even standing water at the base outdoors.
Humidity
50-70%, tolerates average household humidity well outdoors or in bright rooms.
Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser at full strength every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, a hungry, fast-growing plant.
Repotting
Annually while actively growing, given its rapid growth and corm expansion.

Common problems

  • Yellowing lower leaves

    Cause: Natural leaf turnover as the plant grows

    Fix: Remove spent leaves; only investigate if multiple leaves yellow at once

  • Spider mites

    Cause: Dry indoor air

    Fix: Increase humidity and treat with insecticidal soap

Gear for this plant

How to propagate Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral'

Methods
Corm division, Offset (corm/pup)
Difficulty
Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
Time to establish
1-3 months
True from cuttings
Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
Notes
Produces offset cormlets readily, which separate easily from the parent corm. One of the easiest aroids to divide.

In the wild