Colocasia esculenta 'Hilo Bay' – Crinkled Foliage on Black Stems

'Hilo Bay' Elephant's Ear

Colocasia esculenta 'Hilo Bay' (kol-oh-KAY-shah ess-kew-LEN-tah) has foliage that looks almost like crinkled taffeta hanging off black stems. Planted en masse, this selection makes an elegant yet whimsical statement.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Textured foliage and black stems.

Growing Conditions & Care

For optimal performance, give it rich, moist soil in full sun to partial shade. 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

Leaf edges burn if soil dries out too often. If tubers are kept too wet during winter storage, they may rot. Keep tubers and peat moss slightly damp, never wet.

Quick Reference

• Height: 4 ft.
• Spread: 1–3 ft.
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Moisture: Medium to wet
• Maintenance: Moderate
• Foliage Color: Green
• Uses: Containers, foliage accent
• Type: Tropical