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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
Cultivar
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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Grade B never means diseased, pest-infested, dying, materially mislabeled, or otherwise unhealthy plant material.
18-plant pack · Ship
$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.
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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
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Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
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A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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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 with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
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See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
Sun
Full sun to partial shade.
Water
Requires consistently moist to wet soil. Do not allow to dry out completely, as this plant is highly moisture-dependent.
Mature size
3-4 feet tall and wide
Hardiness
8-11
Growth habit
upright, clumping
Plant type
tropical foliage plant
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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.
Thrives in heat and high humidity. Will go dormant or die back in freezing temperatures; tubers can be lifted and stored in colder zones.
Grown primarily for foliage. Flowers (spadix and spathe) are rare in cultivation and not the primary ornamental feature.
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
Sun / light
Full sun to partial shade.
Growth rate
moderate to fast during warm months
Fertilizer
Heavy feeder. Apply a balanced liquid or slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season to support rapid leaf production.
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.
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
Mature size
3-4 feet tall and wide
Growth habit
upright, clumping
Spacing
3 feet apart
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
Flowering / fruiting
Grown primarily for foliage. Flowers (spadix and spathe) are rare in cultivation and not the primary ornamental feature.
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
Hardiness zones
8-11
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.
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
Watering
Requires consistently moist to wet soil. Do not allow to dry out completely, as this plant is highly moisture-dependent.
Soil
Rich, organic, moisture-retentive soil. Well-draining is preferred even though it tolerates boggy conditions.
Soil pH
5.5-6.5
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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.
Fruit Flower Look
rare, inconspicuous spathe and spadix typical of aroids
Fruit Flower Rules
Flowers should not be the primary focus; juvenile plants should not be depicted with mature blooms.
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
Mature Stage Morphology
Large, dark, glossy heart-shaped foliage held on upright, sturdy stalks. Clumping form that expands outward over time.
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
Soil Look
dark, rich, moist, organic-looking potting medium
Starter Stage
Small, young plug with developing dark leaves.
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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Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.