‘Black Magic Taro’ Aquatic Plant

Black Magic Taro (Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’) is a popular, frost-tender perennial grown for its dramatic, large, heart-shaped leaves that are deep purple-black, creating a tropical look in water gardens, containers, or borders. It thrives in wet, boggy conditions and full sun (which intensifies color) but tolerates partial shade, growing 3-6 feet tall with leaves up to 2 feet long on burgundy stems, requiring moisture and nutrients for best growth

Colocasia esculenta, commonly referred to as taro or elephant ear, is a tuberous, stemless perennial belonging to the arum family. It typically grows between 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, primarily valued by gardeners for its impressive foliage. The plant features large, heart-shaped to arrowhead-shaped leaves, which are prominently veined and can reach lengths of up to 2 feet, supported by thick, succulent stems. The name “elephant ear” aptly describes the shape of the leaves. While the plant occasionally produces yellowish-white spathes and spadixes, these flowers are often obscured by the foliage. Taro is also cultivated commercially as a food source in Hawaii, where the tubers are used to make poi.