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Colocasia esculenta Black Magic

Colocasia esculenta Black Magic

4 RatingsWrite a Review
67%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
A combination of dramatic color and huge leaves make Colocasia esculenta Black Magic a standout in the garden. Growing 3-5 ft. tall, this Elephant Ear features rich, deep purple leaves supported on strong stems of the same color. Primarily grown for their foliage, Elephant Ears give gardens and patios a bold, tropical look. Black Magic is an outstanding choice as a patio container or as a low screen or corner planting. It prefers moist, partially shaded areas. Because Elephant Ears are tender plants sensitive to the cold, they should be lifted in the fall in zones 3-8, and stored in a cool, dry, frost-free location. Deer tend to avoid.
  • Hardiness Zones 3-10. Lift in Fall in zones 3-8
  • Mature Height 36 - 60 inches
  • Bloom Time Summer to first frost (Jun-first frost)
  • Light Requirements Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade
  • Ship As7-9" Bulb
  • Deer Resistant
  • Container Friendly

We ship this item in Spring

Botanical Name: Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

Ships in Spring
SKU: #05967
3/bag(s) Buy More and Save!
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Product Details Growing Tips Plant Calculator Shipping Information Customer Reviews Question & Answers

Product Details

  • Restricted States US:

    AE AK GU HI PR VI

  • Botanical Name:

    Colocasia esculenta 'Black Magic'

  • Ship As:

    Bulb

  • Size:

    7-9"

  • Lift In Fall:

    3-8

  • Suggested Uses:

    Borders, Container Gardening, Water Garden, Shade Garden, Deer Resistant

  • Flower Color:

    Purple, White

  • Flower Form:

    The Jack-in-the-Pulpit-like flowers are small, insignificant and rarely produced.

  • Foliage Type:

    Huge, oval leaves up to 2' + long and 18" wide. Deep purple-black. Ornamental from mid summer to frost.

  • Mature Spread:

    36 - 60 inches

  • Spacing:

    36 - 60 inches

Growing Tips

  • Planting Instructions:

    2-4" deep and 36-60" apart

  • Soil Moisture:

    Deep, moisture-retentive soils. They are heavy feeders.

  • Will Tolerate:

    Acidic Soil, Clay Soil, Loamy Soil, Wet Soil, Sandy Soil

  • Pruning Instructions:

    Not needed

  • Winter Care:

    Lift in fall if you live in zones 3-8 for winter storage. Replant the following spring after frosts are over.

  • Planting Depth:

    2 - 4" deep

  • Watering Requirements:

    High water needs. Keep well watered during its growing period (spring, summer, early fall)

  • Fertilization Requirements:

    Once per year

  • Special Care:

    Not needed

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Shipping Information

K. van Bourgondien times its shipments from Holland so that bulbs and bareroots arrive at the proper planting time (depending on climatic conditions) for each area of North America.
We take advanced orders, and as the crops are harvested, our staff of K. van Bourgondien experts makes an on-the-spot selection of the finest bulbs available to fill those reservations.
We will pack and ship your order based on the following schedules. The type of product you order or the weather may affect the anticipated shipping schedule. Please note that we cannot ship outside of the 48 contiguous states. What zone am I in?

Spring 2025 Shipping Schedule

  • Tropical Plants (Caladium & Elephant Ears)
    Zones Shipping Dates Last Order Date
    3A - 6A 4/28/25 - 6/6/25 6/2/2025
    6B-7A 4/21/25 - 6/6/25 6/2/2025
    7B-8A 4/7/25 - 5/30/25 5/26/2025
    8B-9A 3/31/25 - 5/30/25 5/26/2025
    9B - 11B 3/24/25 - 5/30/25 5/26/2025


Shipping Notes:
In all cases, we choose the fastest, most efficient way to send your orders via USPS or FedEx.
Orders for gift certificates will be shipped immediately.

Due to hot weather conditions, we are unable to ship any plant items from late June through August. General merchandise will be shipped with your plant order.

Upon placing your order, you will receive an email confirmation with the details of your order and a shipping estimate. You will also receive an email notification when your order actually ships with an updated arrival estimate. If you have ordered multiple items, you may receive them in more than one shipment. We will send you a separate email confirming each shipment. Large orders may be shipped in more than one package. Your order confirmation will have an estimated shipping time.

You may check your order status at any time on this website using your email or account number provided on your order confirmation.

Customer Reviews

Review Snapshot

by PowerReviews

4 Star RatingsWrite a Review
67%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend

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Reviewed by 4 customers

don't waste your time & $$$$

Submitted 2 years ago

By Tom S.

From Bucks County,Penna

I bought 6....1 FINALLY emerged from the ground IN JULY! it's now August and it's 8'' tall

Merchant Response

Thank you for leaving a review of the Colocasia esculenta Black Magic. We are truly sorry to hear that this item failed to grow well for you. Fortunately, we have an excellent No-Risk Guarantee. One of our Customer Care agents will be reaching out to you soon with a positive resolution.

Bottom Line No, I would not recommend to a friend

Was this review helpful to you?

Only one grew

Submitted 3 years ago

By LdyDrgn

From Louisville, KY

Only one out of the three actually came up. The other two rotted. The one that did grow is absolutely stunning.

Was this review helpful to you?

Big and beautiful

Submitted 5 years ago

By MandyH

From Fort Mill, SC

Our black magic elephant ears grew huge and they are just beautiful.

User submitted media 1 of 2
User submitted media 2 of 2

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

Was this review helpful to you?

So gorgeous and easy as long as you keep moist. Store over!

Submitted 7 years ago

By Imtheone

From Western North Carolina

Like it so much

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend to a friend

Was this review helpful to you?

Questions & Answers

Q&A

Showing 8 out of 8 Questions

Q
Are these perennial?
Asked by annie
Verified Reply - AngelaColocasia esculenta Black Magic is a tender perennial. The bulbs cannot survive freezing temperatures. They can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 10. Those of us in zones 3 to 8 should lift the bulbs from the ground in fall and store in a frost free location for winter. They can be planted again the following spring. Was this answer helpful to you
Q
What do the bulbs look like for theses plants
Asked by Glo
Verified Reply - AngelaThe Colocasia bulbs look like a potato with coconut bark to me. Was this answer helpful to you
Q
How many bulbs in a bag
Asked by JR
Verified Reply - AngelaThe Colocasia esculenta Black Magic offer includes 3 bulbs.Was this answer helpful to you
Q
How large are the bulbs?
Asked by ALISON
Verified Reply - AngelaThe Colocasia esculenta Black Magic bulbs are 7-9". Was this answer helpful to you
Q
Can this be grown indoors year round?
Asked by Kat
Verified Reply - ViciYes. Calocasia can be grown indoors year round. When growing Colocasia inside, be sure to choose a fairly large container to pot the plant in using a good potting soil. Colocasia can attain a good size, so you will want to be prepared. Choose a site to situate the indoor elephant ear plant that is in indirect sunlight. Colocasia can tolerate direct sun, but it will tend to sunburn although it may acclimate after a time; it will really do much better in indirect sun. Elephant ear houseplants should be elevated slightly with a layer of rocks or pebbles between the pot and the saucer. This will increase the level of humidity surrounding the indoor elephant ear plant while preventing the roots from coming into contact with the water, which may cause root rot. Temperatures for your elephant ear houseplants should be between 65 and 75 degrees F. A fertilization regime every two weeks with a 50 percent diluted 20-10-10 food is an integral part of houseplant care of Colocasia. You may discontinue the fertilization during the winter months to allow the Colocasia to rest. Also, cut back on watering during this time and allow the soil to dry out slightly.Was this answer helpful to you
Q
Are these plant poisonous to dogs?
Asked by Taylor Judge
Verified Reply - AngelaThe ASPCA does list Elephant Ears/Colocasia as toxic to dogs. Was this answer helpful to you
Q
Hello do 3 Black magic elephant ears come in a bag or just one ?
Asked by Jesse
Verified Reply - KimberlyYes, you are correct 3 Black Magic Elephant Ear bulbs come in a bag. Was this answer helpful to you
Q
What is quantity of bulbs per bag?
Asked by Priscilla
Verified Reply - KimberlyColocasia esculenta Black Magic includes three per bag. Was this answer helpful to you
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