Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' black elephant ear with velvety purple-black heart-shaped leaves
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' dark taro foliage in the summer garden
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' black elephant ear with velvety purple-black heart-shaped leaves
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' dark taro foliage in the summer garden

Black Elephant Ear

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

$27.00
1 Gallon USDA Zones 7–10 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 5–6 Feet

Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' is the jet-black elephant ear, velvety purple-black leaves to five or six feet that bring gothic drama to a pond edge, a border, or a bold container.

Pickup available at Aiken Nursery

Usually ready in 2-4 days

Healthy-arrival guarantee Free shipping over $150
Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
Shipping later in the season? Schedule your delivery date in your cart.
The Full Story

Among the most bewitching sights in the summer garden, Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' rises like a gothic dream from the soil, the velvety, purple-black leaves casting deep shade and deeper admiration. Sometimes called the Jet Black Wonder, this dramatic taro cultivar has become a garden sensation across the South, beloved for bold color and architectural form.

With rich, moist soil and generous watering, 'Black Magic' can reach a towering five to six feet, the leaves unfurling like silk flags in the humid breeze. This is a plant that thrives in the Southern heat, through the long, sultry months from May into September, and brings a tropical elegance to pond sides, borders, and bold container plantings. Few plants make such a powerful visual statement.

Native to tropical Asia, Colocasia esculenta has been cultivated for thousands of years as taro, grown for both beauty and food. In this dark-leaved selection, though, nature outdid herself. As summer fades and frost finally claims the top growth, cut the stalks back cleanly and mulch well for winter. Come spring, lift that blanket and welcome a new flush of shoots as the earth warms.

For a garden conversation piece, or a living poem in the landscape, look no further. Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic' is not just a plant but a presence.

Additional photo courtesy of Missouri Botanical Garden.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 7–10
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Moist
Mature size
Height 5–6 Feet · Spread 5–6 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Dies back, depends on zone
Design Notes

A bold, near-black foliage plant for the back of a sunny border, a pond or bog margin, a rain garden, or a large statement container, set in a stand of three or five where the huge dark leaves read as living architecture. 'Black Magic' wants heat, rich soil, and constant moisture, and glows against bright green, chartreuse, or silver companions. Mulch the tubers heavily over winter in the Southeast, or lift and store them farther north.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Foliage. The entire point. Enormous heart-shaped leaves held aloft on dark stems, in a dusky matte purple-black so deep the color reads nearly charcoal, finished with a soft velvety bloom that beads water into mercury. The leaves can run a foot or more across, unfurling one after another through the heat of summer, each catching light along the veins and trembling on the stalk in a breeze.

Flowers. Rarely seen in cultivation, and beside the point when they appear. Like all aroids, the bloom is a slender pale-yellow spathe furled around a finger of spadix, half-hidden among the leaves. Most gardeners grow 'Black Magic' for years and never meet one, which suits a plant whose whole drama is in the leaf.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; a little afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch in the hottest zones if the soil stays moist.

Soil. Rich, fertile ground high in organic matter; thrives in moist to boggy conditions.

Water. Abundant and constant; splendid at a pond edge or in a pot standing in water. Feed monthly through the growing season for the lushest leaves.

Pruning. Cut back the dead foliage after the first frost and mulch deeply for winter.

Hardiness. USDA zones 7b to 10; die-back returns from mulched tubers, or lift and store the tubers farther north.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?

We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.