ornamentalFamily: AraceaeGenus: Colocasia-royalhawaiianSpecies: esculenta

Cultivar

Black Coral Elephant Ear

Colocasia-royalhawaiian esculenta 'Black Coral'

Cultivar: Black Coral

Colocasia 'Black Coral' is a striking ornamental Elephant Ear known for its dark, dramatic foliage that maintains its deep color throughout the growing season. The large, heart-shaped leaves have a slight sheen and prominent veins that create a bold contrast in tropical landscapes or decorative patio planters. It is a vigorous, clumping perennial that thrives in heat, humidity, and consistently moist soil conditions.

A stunning tropical foliage plant featuring glossy, near-black, heart-shaped leaves with distinct blue-purple veining. This clumping cultivar provides a dramatic, upright focal point for containers or garden beds.

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18-plant pack · Ship

$98.69per pack

$98.69 total

1152 plants available · max 64 packs

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Orders generally ship within 3–7 days after purchase. Agardeni gives priority to USPS Priority Mailfor standard live-plant shipments when practical.

USPS Priority Mail typically has a 2–3 day delivery objective after shipment, but delivery times are not guaranteed.

Weather & Temperature Risk

Agardeni ships from Florida and does not monitor destination temperatures nationwide. Customers are responsible for considering local weather conditions and retrieving packages promptly after delivery.

Agardeni is not responsible for plant damage caused by freezing temperatures, frost, excessive heat, or prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures at the destination.

Inspect live plants promptly after delivery. Eligible plant-condition claims must be submitted within 48 hours of confirmed delivery.

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Cultivar Story

Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.

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Growing Inspiration

Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.

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Marketplace Plant

A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.

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Aspirational Garden

Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.

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Plant Detail

A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.

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Repotting / Start Growing

Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.

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Start · Plan · Grow

Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.

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See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.

Plant Profile

Grow Black Coral Elephant Ear with confidence

Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.

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Sun

Full sun to partial shade.

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Water

Requires consistently moist to wet soil. Do not allow to dry out completely, as this plant is highly moisture-dependent.

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Mature size

3-4 feet tall and wide

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Hardiness

8-11

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Growth habit

upright, clumping

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Plant type

tropical foliage plant

View Plant Data

Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.

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Good to know

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Growing note

Best color intensity is achieved in full sun, provided the plant is kept consistently moist. If grown in partial shade, leaves may appear more greenish-black.

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Climate note

Thrives in heat and high humidity. Will go dormant or die back in freezing temperatures; tubers can be lifted and stored in colder zones.

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Flower / fruit

Grown primarily for foliage. Flowers (spadix and spathe) are rare in cultivation and not the primary ornamental feature.

Growing & Care

Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.

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Sun / light

Full sun to partial shade.

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Growth rate

moderate to fast during warm months

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Fertilizer

Heavy feeder. Apply a balanced liquid or slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season to support rapid leaf production.

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Pruning

Trim back old or yellowing leaves at the base to maintain a clean, tidy appearance.

Care notes

Best color intensity is achieved in full sun, provided the plant is kept consistently moist. If grown in partial shade, leaves may appear more greenish-black.

Size & Habit

How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.

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Mature size

3-4 feet tall and wide

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Growth habit

upright, clumping

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Spacing

3 feet apart

Flower / Fruit

Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.

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Flowering / fruiting

Grown primarily for foliage. Flowers (spadix and spathe) are rare in cultivation and not the primary ornamental feature.

Climate & Hardiness

Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.

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Hardiness zones

8-11

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Temperature

Thrives in heat and high humidity. Will go dormant or die back in freezing temperatures; tubers can be lifted and stored in colder zones.

Soil & Water

Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.

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Watering

Requires consistently moist to wet soil. Do not allow to dry out completely, as this plant is highly moisture-dependent.

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Soil

Rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil. Well-draining is preferred even though it tolerates boggy conditions.

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Soil pH

5.5-6.5

More Plant Data

19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.

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Container Growing

Excellent for containers. Ensure the pot has no drainage holes if mimicking a boggy environment, or use a standard container and keep water levels high.

Family

Araceae

Foliage Look

deep glossy purple-black heart-shaped foliage with distinct blue-purple veining

Foliage Rules

Leaves should be deep purple-black with visible blue-purple veins. Surface should have a slight sheen, not matte.

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Fruit Flower Look

rare, inconspicuous spathe and spadix typical of aroids

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Fruit Flower Rules

Flowers should not be the primary focus; juvenile plants should not be depicted with mature blooms.

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Growth Habit Rules

Maintain upright, symmetrical clumping habit; avoid depictions of vines or trailing growth.

Mature Plant Look

dramatic, upright, 3 to 4 foot clumping tropical foliage plant with dark leaves

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Mature Stage Morphology

Large, dark, glossy heart-shaped foliage held on upright, sturdy stalks. Clumping form that expands outward over time.

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Morphology Rules

Preserve the contrast between dark leaf color and prominent veining. Leaves are cordate (heart-shaped) and pointed at the tip.

Plant Faqs

How much sun does Black Coral need? It thrives in full sun for deepest color but tolerates partial shade. Can I grow this in a pot? Yes, it makes an excellent container plant if kept well-watered. Is this plant deer resistant? It is generally not preferred by deer. How do I overwinter it in cold zones? Lift the tubers after the first frost, clean, dry, and store in a cool, dark location.

Root Look

healthy, white, well-developed roots filling the plug

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Soil Look

dark, rich, moist, organic-looking potting medium

Starter Stage

Small, young plug with developing dark leaves.

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Starter Stage Morphology

Leaves may be smaller and lighter in color initially, darkening as the plant matures. Compact, with a strong root system.

Video Voiceover Script

Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Black Coral Elephant Ear. This is Black Coral Elephant Ear, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let this vibrant tropical addition become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future lush, colorful growing space you want to create. Focusing on its deep, dark foliage, you can appreciate the unique glossy sheen and sharp contrast provided by those bold, heart-shaped leaves. Establish your starter by moving the small plug into a four-inch pot with a quality, well-draining potting mix, then later move it to an appropriate final container or in-ground location when established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.

Youtube Tags

Colocasia Black Coral Elephant Ear Royal Hawaiian tropical plants container gardening foliage plants Agardeni perennials

Youtube Video Summary

Colocasia Black Coral is a premier choice for adding bold, dark, and dramatic foliage to any tropical landscape. This clumping elephant ear thrives in moisture and heat, making it a standout selection for containers and garden beds.

Youtube Video Title

Growing Colocasia Black Coral Elephant Ear for Tropical Foliage

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Future Buyer Brand Sellers

Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.