Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' Plants - Outdoor GROW TROPICALS

Black Magic Elephant Ears (Black Taro)

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

Name: Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'
Brand: GROW TROPICALS
SKU: COLOBLKMG11
Price: 11.99 GBP
Availability: OutOfStock

£11.99

Overwinter under coverSun-lovingShade-tolerant

Pot size

11cm / 0.75L £11.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

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Description

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' is one of the most theatrical foliage plants you can grow, and the original dusky-leaved taro that made the elephant ears craze take off. Huge, heart-shaped leaves are held on dark petioles and flush a deep, smoky purple-black that deepens almost to charcoal in good light, catching raindrops and glowing against brighter greens. If you want instant drama and a jungle feel, this is the plant that delivers it.

As a tender selection of colocasia esculenta, 'Black Magic' is grown purely for its architectural leaves rather than flowers, which makes it a brilliant centrepiece for borders, large containers and poolside plantings. Each season it powers up from a dormant tuber to form a bold, clump-forming mound, and the matt-black foliage of colocasia black magic pairs beautifully with limes, silvers and hot oranges. Few plants give this much presence so quickly.

How and where to grow

This is a thirsty, warmth-loving exotic. Give black magic colocasia a sheltered, sunny spot, or light dappled shade, in rich, moisture-retentive soil that never dries out. It is one of the few exotics genuinely happy in boggy ground and at the margins of a pond, and it relishes generous watering and regular feeding through the growing season. Shelter from strong wind keeps the large leaves from tearing.

Height around 0.9 to 1.5 m with a similar spread in a good summer
Full sun for the darkest leaf colour; tolerates partial shade
Rich, constantly moist soil or a large pot of water-retentive compost

Being tender (RHS H2), the black elephant ear plant will not survive a frosty UK winter outside. Treat it as a patio exotic: stand it out for summer, then lift and store the tuber somewhere frost-free, or simply move the container into a greenhouse, conservatory or porch once the foliage blackens in autumn. Come spring it bursts back into growth. Do note that all parts are toxic if eaten, so keep it away from children and pets.

Every colocasia esculenta black magic we send is a strong, well-rooted plant, carefully grown and packed to arrive ready to put on a show in your garden or on the patio.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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What to Expect

Seasonal by nature: what to expect

Grown outdoors, the way nature intended. Weather-tested and hardened in real UK conditions, so they thrive in your garden. A few marks on the older leaves are normal, the sign of a tough, real plant rather than a flaw.
It follows the seasons. Depending on when you order, your plant may arrive cut back, dormant or leafless. That's healthy: dormancy is the ideal time to plant.
Posted, not posed. Big leafy plants like bananas and gingers may be trimmed or gently folded to travel safely. It does the plant no harm, and it powers away again in spring.

Not sure what to expect from yours? Dormant, cut-back or weather-marked plants are all perfectly healthy and normal. Read what to expect through the seasons

Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

Changed your mind? See our Return Policy.

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How to care for Black Magic Elephant Ears (Black Taro)

Plant me in full sun and bring me under cover before the frosts.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.

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About Black Magic Elephant Ears (Black Taro)

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' needs full sun or partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. It is frost tender and must come under cover for winter.

Good for

Architectural Exotic Borders Shade

Hardiness

TenderVery hardy

Tender (H2): down to around 1°C. Tolerates cool conditions but not frost; protect or bring in over winter.

Tender in the UK (RHS H2), 'Black Magic' will not survive a frozen winter outdoors. Either lift the tuber after the first frost blackens the foliage and store it dry and frost-free, or grow it in a pot that can be moved into a frost-free greenhouse, conservatory or porch from autumn until late spring. Read moreShow less

Tender in the UK (RHS H2), 'Black Magic' will not survive a frozen winter outdoors. Either lift the tuber after the first frost blackens the foliage and store it dry and frost-free, or grow it in a pot that can be moved into a frost-free greenhouse, conservatory or porch from autumn until late spring.

Position

Full sunPartial shadeSouth-facingWest-facingSheltered

Give it a warm, sheltered spot in full sun or light dappled shade. Strong light brings out the deepest near-black leaf colour, while shade keeps tones a little greener; shelter from strong wind is important as the large leaves tear easily. Read moreShow less

Give it a warm, sheltered spot in full sun or light dappled shade. Strong light brings out the deepest near-black leaf colour, while shade keeps tones a little greener; shelter from strong wind is important as the large leaves tear easily.

Soil

ClayLoamMoist but well-drainedPoorly-drainedAcid pHNeutral pH

Loves rich, moisture-retentive soil and is one of the few exotics happy in boggy ground or at a pond margin. Dig in plenty of well-rotted organic matter, and in containers use a loam-based compost that holds water without drying out. Read moreShow less

Loves rich, moisture-retentive soil and is one of the few exotics happy in boggy ground or at a pond margin. Dig in plenty of well-rotted organic matter, and in containers use a loam-based compost that holds water without drying out.

Watering

A thirsty plant that should never dry out in growth, water generously through spring and summer and feed regularly with a balanced liquid feed to fuel the lush foliage. Reduce watering sharply in autumn as it heads towards dormancy. Read moreShow less

A thirsty plant that should never dry out in growth, water generously through spring and summer and feed regularly with a balanced liquid feed to fuel the lush foliage. Reduce watering sharply in autumn as it heads towards dormancy.

Mature size

Height0.9-1.5 m

Spread0.9-1.2 m

Reaches full size in 1-2 years (each season from the tuber)

Growth habit

Clump-forming

Seasonal colour

SpringSummerAutumnWinterFlowerFoliageBerriesStem

Foliage

Deciduous

Scent

None

Pruning

Once autumn frost blackens the leaves, cut back the foliage and either lift the tubers to store dry and frost-free, or mulch deeply over the crown where left in the ground.

Toxicity

Toxic if eaten. All parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals; ingestion causes intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, and sap can irritate skin and eyes. Keep away from children and pets.

Native range

Garden origin; species native to tropical and subtropical Asia

Family

Araceae

Also known as

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

Genus

Colocasia →

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colocasia 'Black Magic' hardy in the UK?

No, it is tender (RHS H2) and will not survive frost outdoors. Treat it as a summer exotic: stand it out from late spring, then either lift and store the tuber frost-free or move the pot indoors before the first hard frost.

Where is the best position for Black Magic elephant ears?

A warm, sheltered spot in full sun or light shade with rich, constantly moist soil. Full sun gives the darkest, most dramatic near-black foliage, but shelter it from wind so the big leaves do not shred.

How big does it grow?

In a good UK summer it typically reaches around 0.9 to 1.5 m tall with a similar spread, regrowing each year from the tuber. Warmth, moisture and feeding all push it towards the upper end of that range.

Is it evergreen?

No, it is herbaceous and deciduous. The foliage dies back after the first frosts and the plant overwinters as a dormant tuber, pushing out fresh black leaves again the following spring.

Can I grow it in a pot on the patio?

Yes, it is ideal for a large container of rich, water-retentive compost. Containers make it easy to give it a sunny patio spot in summer and simply move the whole plant somewhere frost-free for winter.

Is Colocasia 'Black Magic' poisonous to pets and children?

Yes. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause painful burning and swelling if chewed or eaten, and the sap can irritate skin. Site it out of reach of pets and young children and wear gloves when handling.

Does my plant come with a pot?

Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.

How big will my plant be when it arrives?

Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.

What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?

There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.

What should I do when my plant arrives?

First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.

Will my plant survive being shipped?

Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 48 hours with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.

Why Grow Tropicals

Plants delivered the way they deserve

Packaged with Care

Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.

Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Perfect for Gifting

From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.

Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.

Sustainability at Heart

All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.

Good for your home - and the planet.

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Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

£11.99