How to Grow Black Magic Elephant Ear
Wikimedia Commons
Black Magic Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
flowerBlack Magic is a striking tropical foliage plant featuring large, heart-shaped leaves with deep purple-black coloring and prominent veining. It's an ornamental variety of taro grown primarily for its dramatic dark foliage and architectural presence in gardens and containers. This plant adds bold, dramatic texture to tropical and warm-climate landscapes.
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Example Black Magic Elephant Ear timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Black Magic Elephant Ear
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Black Magic Elephant Ear blooms
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 9b-11, grown as a tender annual or container plant in cooler zones
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Get my Black Magic Elephant Ear timeline →Growth Stages
Dormancy/Planting
2-4 weeksCorms are planted in early spring; no visible growth above ground yet
Ensure soil is warm (65°F+) before planting. Keep soil consistently warm and moist but not soggy. Avoid planting in cold soil.
Sprouting
2-3 weeksFirst shoots emerge from corms; small curled leaf appears
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth. Begin light feeding with balanced fertilizer once growth appears.
Vegetative Growth
6-10 weeksMultiple leaves unfurl and expand; plant develops upright stems with increasingly larger dark purple-black leaves
Water regularly, fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Ensure adequate light for color development. Provide support if needed in windy locations.
Mature Foliage
Ongoing through growing seasonPlant reaches full size with large (12-24 inch), deeply colored dark purple-black leaves and prominent white/light veining
Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Inspect for pests. Can produce insignificant cream-colored spathes (flowers). Maintain humidity for best appearance.
Dormancy
4-6 monthsFoliage begins to yellow and die back as temperatures cool in fall/winter; plant goes dormant
In warm zones (10-11), reduce watering significantly. In cooler zones, dig up corms after frost kills leaves, clean, dry, and store in cool (50-60°F), dry location for winter.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with water, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure adequate air circulation
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap
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Prune heavily infested leaves, spray with horticultural oil or neem oil
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Yellow sticky traps, spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase air circulation
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Remove infected leaves, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, apply fungicide if severe
Uses
Tropical Landscaping & Garden Design
CraftBlack Magic's dramatic dark purple-black foliage serves as a bold accent in tropical, subtropical, and container gardens. It's commonly used to create striking contrast with lighter plants and provides architectural structure to mixed beds. [source]
Container & Indoor Plant
HouseholdExcellent for large containers on patios, decks, and as a houseplant in bright indirect light. The dramatic foliage makes a striking visual statement indoors and can be brought outside in warm weather. [source]
Shade Garden Accent
CraftThrives in partial shade where its dark coloring becomes even more pronounced. Creates bold focal points in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and mixed perennial beds. [source]
Tropical Garden Habitat
WildlifeThe large leaves provide shelter and create microhabitats for beneficial insects. The plant contributes to tropical garden biodiversity and supports pollinators. [source]
Edible Corms (Secondary Use)
CulinaryWhile grown primarily as an ornamental, the corms are actually edible and are traditional taro used in Pacific and Asian cuisines. However, the ornamental 'Black Magic' variety is typically cultivated for visual appeal rather than culinary harvest. [source]
Harvest Tips
Black Magic is grown ornamentally for foliage display, not harvested for food. Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed. In warm zones, allow foliage to persist year-round. In cooler zones (9-9b), dig up corms after the first frost when foliage dies back; clean, dry completely, and store in cool (50-60°F), dry, dark location until spring planting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Black Magic Elephant Ear's dark purple coloration is due to anthocyanin pigments, the same compounds that make blueberries blue and are known for antioxidant properties.
- 🌱 Despite being called 'Elephant Ear,' the plant is actually a tropical taro (Colocasia esculenta) native to Southeast Asia, where the corms have been a staple food crop for thousands of years.
- 🌱 The plant can grow dramatically fast in warm, humid conditions—sometimes producing new leaves every 5-7 days at peak growing season, making it one of the fastest-growing ornamental foliage plants.
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