Taro (Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic')
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' (Taro) offers dramatic, heart-shaped purplish-black leaves, perfect for tropical garden accents.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’, commonly known as Taro, is cherished by gardeners for its dramatic, imposing foliage. This plant provides an immediate, massive tropical flair, defined by its large, heart-shaped leaves flushed with unusual purplish-black coloration. It is a tuberous, stemless perennial that performs beautifully as a statement piece during the summer months.
As a foliage accent, Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ demands attention in the landscape. It thrives in consistently moist to wet conditions, making it versatile for boggy areas or container gardens where water retention is high. Gardeners must provide rich soil and ample moisture to support its prodigious growth throughout the season.
While primarily grown for its leaves, this Taro cultivar occasionally produces small, hidden yellowish-white flowers. The real value of Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ lies in its scale and color contrast, transforming ordinary borders or water margins into exotic scenes.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Araceae
- Plant Type: Bulb
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-6 ft
- Spread: 3-6 ft
- Bloom Time: July to August
- Bloom Description: Yellowish-white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ tubers in mind-spring once the risk of frost is completely gone, ideally after April 20th in marginal zones. Choose a location offering fertile, humusy, and organically rich soil. While full sun encourages the deepest leaf color, afternoon shade is beneficial in areas experiencing very hot summers.
Watering is critical for maintaining the vibrant look of Taro. These plants require regular moisture; never allow the soil to dry out significantly during the growing season. For a truly water-loving display, they can be situated as pond marginals, tolerating up to six inches of standing water.
Due to their fast, prolific growth, feed Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ regularly with fertilizer during the active summer growing season. Site plants where they are protected from harsh, strong winds that can tear the large leaves. In USDA Zones 8 through 10, tubers can remain in the ground year-round. Elsewhere, dig the tubers after the first fall frost and cure them before storing them in a cool, dry location above 45°F, packed in peat or shavings.
Landscape Uses
The dramatic size and deep color of Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ lend an unmistakable large tropical look to any setting. They function exceptionally well as bold specimens or utilized in groups to anchor mixed borders, interrupting softer textures and brighter colors with their dark presence.
This plant is highly recommended for inclusion in rain gardens or along water margins where consistent moisture is naturally available. It also excels when grown in large containers, allowing gardeners in cooler climates to easily relocate the plant indoors for winter overwintering.
Consider pairing Taro with lighter green or variegated foliage plants to maximize the contrast provided by the purplish-black leaves. This striking effect ensures the magnificent foliage of Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ remains the focal point of your design scheme.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Colocasia esculenta, commonly called taro or elephant ear, is a tuberous, stemless, frost-tender perennial of the arum family which typically grows 3-6’ tall and as wide. For gardeners, it is primarily grown as a foliage plant with huge, heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped, conspicuously-veined, downward-pointing, peltate leaves (to 2’ long) on long, stout, succulent stems. ‘Black Magic’ features unusual purplish-black leaves, providing a superior ornamental effect throughout the growing season.
Tolerances
- Wet Soil
Potential Problems
This plant generally avoids serious insect or disease problems during its active growth phase. Good air circulation and avoiding overly saturated soil when not intentionally submerged can help prevent minor fungal issues common to many large-leafed plants. Monitoring for spider mites when overwintering tubers indoors is often the most common management concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Taro suitable for?
Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ is hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 10, though tubers should be protected or lifted in the fall in the cooler ends of this range or entirely outside of it.
How large does Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ grow?
This dramatic foliage plant typically reaches a mature height between 3 and 6 feet tall, with a similar spread of 3 to 6 feet.
What sun exposure does Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ need?
For the best purplish-black leaf color, full sun is ideal, though part shade—especially light afternoon shade in hot climates—is better tolerated.
When does Taro bloom?
Taro produces its inconspicuous, yellowish-white blooms between July and August, though the foliage remains the main attraction.
Conclusion
For unparalleled tropical drama, few plants match the visual impact of Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’. Its immense, dark foliage makes it an essential component for creating high-contrast, exotic garden vignettes. Before planting, ensure you check your local USDA hardiness zone compatibility or plan for proper tuber overwintering protocols.
Companion Planting
Companion planting around Taro focuses on maximizing contrast and supporting high-moisture needs. Consider pairing the dark leaves of Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ with bright, fine-textured grasses or sedges that thrive in wet soil, such as Japanese Iris or certain varieties of creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia). These companions help frame the large leaves without competing too aggressively for root space near the water source.
Success in growing Taro often depends on providing richness in the soil. Therefore, companion planting with heavy feeders that enjoy similar rich, humusy conditions, such as Cannas or robust annuals like Zinnias (in drier spots), can create a lush, unified tropical grouping. Always ensure the companion plants do not shade the base of the Taro unduly, as sun is needed to bring out the best leaf saturation.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring (Planting & Emergence): Plant tubers only once soil temperatures are reliably warm, typically mid-to-late spring. Begin a consistent fertilization schedule immediately after significant leaf emergence to fuel rapid summer growth.
Summer (Peak Growth): Keep soil consistently moist to wet throughout the hottest months. Monitor leaf health; if plants are looking stressed during intense heat waves, increase watering or ensure they receive afternoon shade protection.
Fall (Preparation): In colder zones, watch for the first hard frost to signal the end of the growing season. Cut back frosted foliage and lift tubers before the soil freezes deeply, preparing them for cool, dry winter storage above 45°F.
