Colocasia, Elephant Ear, Imperial Taro
Colocasiaesculenta 'Black Beauty'

Family: Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee)
Genus: Colocasia (kol-oh-KAY-see-uh)
Species: esculenta (es-kew-LEN-tuh)
Cultivar: Black Beauty

Category
Ponds and Aquatics
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Velvet/Fuzzy

Foliage Color

Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Pale Yellow

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information

Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed