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
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H1BBotanical 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
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