Colocasia esculenta 'Black Beauty' – Dark Purple Elephant's Ear for Sun

'Black Beauty' Elephant's Ear

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Beauty' is a mutation of 'Illustris' grown for its 2-foot-long, 1-foot-wide, dark purple leaves with green stems and green veins. Unusually for dark-foliage elephant ears, it holds its leaves well through heat and drought in full sun, where temperatures exceed 90°F.

—Adrienne Roethling, Elephant's Ears, Fine Gardening issue #148, page 61

Noteworthy Characteristics

Dark purple leaves with green veins.

Growing Conditions & Care

Gardeners in cool hardiness zones may overwinter tubers indoors covered by peat moss during winter, after leaves have been desiccated by frost.

Propagation

Plant tubers when soil is consistently around 70°F. Offspring shoots can be transplanted.

Potential Problems

'Black Beauty' does not thrive when temperatures rise above 90°F.

Quick Reference

• Height/Spread: 3–4 ft.
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Moisture: Medium to wet
• Maintenance: Low
• Foliage Color: Black
• Type: Tropical