Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Conservatory Greenhouse

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

taro 'Black Magic'

A tuberous, frost-tender perennial growing to 1.8m tall. Large, heart-shaped leaves to 60cm long are held on purple-black stems. The leaves emerge green then darken with age to a deep purple-black colour

Synonyms
Alocasia 'Black Magic'
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Black Purple Black Purple Green
Summer Black Purple White Black Purple Green
Autumn Black Purple Black Purple Green
Winter Black Purple Black Purple Green
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen or Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Colocasia can be deciduous or evergreen, tuberous-rooted perennials with arrow-shaped or rounded leaves, often prominently veined; flowers are minute, on a spadix held within a small white spathe, but are seldom produced in cultivation

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, pot up tubers in peat-free potting compost. Keep in bright, filtered light and high humidity. Water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth. Keep just moist in winter. Keep tubers dry and frost-free when dormant. Requires 21 degrees minimum to stay evergreen

Propagation

Propagate by division in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Architectural
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.