Scroll to explore forms of Colocasia esculenta
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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
Black Magic Elephant Ear
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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' Morphology
About Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' is a cultivar of the common Taro grown for its dark foliage. The giant, heart-shaped (sagittate) leaves emerge dusty green but quickly mature to a deep matte charcoal-black or dark purple, with a velvety texture. Unlike Alocasias, whose leaves point upwards, Colocasia leaves droop downwards, held on long, arching purple-black petioles that attach peltately near the leaf centre. In warm, wet conditions it forms a large clump that feeds a substantial subterranean tuberous corm.
Market Analysis
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' Price Guide & Auction Value
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Before You Buy
Shared checklist for Colocasia esculenta and its cultivated forms
- 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
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
Shared across every form of Colocasia esculenta — see this form's own Morphology for variegation-specific propagation notes.
1-3 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Produces offset cormlets readily, which separate easily from the parent corm. One of the easiest aroids to divide.
Care Guide
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' Care Guide & Growing Conditions
General care shared across all forms of Colocasia esculenta — cultivated forms may need brighter light or higher humidity than the plain species; check this form's Quick Facts above.
Rich, moisture-retentive mix: 50% potting compost, 30% loam, 20% perlite. Tolerates boggy conditions better than most aroids.
Keep consistently moist; this species tolerates and often prefers wetter soil than typical houseplants, even standing water at the base outdoors.
50-70%, tolerates average household humidity well outdoors or in bright rooms.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at full strength every 2-3 weeks during the growing season, a hungry, fast-growing plant.
Annually while actively growing, given its rapid growth and corm expansion.
Common Problems
Yellowing lower leaves
Natural leaf turnover as the plant grows
Remove spent leaves; only investigate if multiple leaves yellow at once
Spider mites
Dry indoor air
Increase humidity and treat with insecticidal soap
