The bold tropical Black Magic elephant ear plant (Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’) is an exciting addition to any garden. With its huge, glossy black-purple leaves, this elephant ear variety makes a dramatic statement in beds and borders or containers. Caring for these striking plants is easy when you understand their needs. This guide covers how to grow and care for Black Magic elephant ears so you can enjoy their exotic beauty.
An Overview of Black Magic Elephant Ear
Native to Southeast Asia, the Black Magic elephant ear is a hardy tuberous perennial. It grows from a large bulb-like tuber, producing upright stalks topped with the signature elephant ear leaves. The dark black-purple leaves are shaped like hearts, measuring around 2 feet long by 1.5 feet wide. They have prominent veins and slightly ruffled edges.
While they can reach 5 feet tall in ideal conditions Black Magic elephant ears typically grow 3 to 4 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide. Their natural habit is upright and clumping. Small yellow-white flowers may appear in summer but they are insignificant.
This elephant ear variety thrives in warm climates and is hardy only in USDA Zones 8 to 11. It is commonly grown as an annual in cooler zones. With the right care, Black Magic elephant ear is vigorous and fast growing during the warm season.
Growing Conditions for Black Magic Elephant Ear
To flourish, Black Magic elephant ear plants require:
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Warm temperatures – Ideal temps are 70 to 85°F during the day and around 65°F at night They need at least 6 hours of sun daily
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Consistent moisture – Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not saturated. Produces best growth with 1-1.5 inches of water per week. Reduce watering once foliage dies back in fall.
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Rich, humusy soil – Amend native soil with compost or aged manure to create a fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Good drainage is also essential.
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Shelter from wind – Protect plants from strong winds which can shred the large leaves.
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High humidity – Mist leaves and provide plenty of moisture to boost humidity around the plants.
Black Magic prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. In zones where they are not winter hardy, plants will die back with fall frosts but tubers can be dug up and overwintered indoors.
How to Plant Black Magic Elephant Ear
Black Magic elephant ears can be planted from tubers, plants, or divided rhizomes:
Planting tubers – Start tubers indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Plant them in pots with the top 1/3 exposed. Move them outdoors after danger of frost is past. Select a site with rich soil and full or partial sun. Plant tubers 2 to 3 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches apart.
Planting potted plants – Choose young plants with 2 to 3 leaves and transplant them into the garden after the danger of frost. Water well after planting and provide plenty of moisture during establishment.
Dividing rhizomes – Divide existing clumps in early spring, ensuring each piece has some roots and growth buds. Plant divisions as you would tubers.
Provide plenty of space for these fast growers. Enrich soil with compost and aged manure at planting time. After planting, mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Caring for Black Magic Elephant Ears
With the right care, Black Magic elephant ear is vigorous and fast growing:
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Watering – Supply abundant moisture during the growing season. Water at the base of plants and avoid wetting the foliage. Let the top few inches of soil dry between waterings. Reduce watering once plants die back for winter.
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Fertilizing – Feed plants every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer or slow release granular fertilizer. Discontinue feeding once foliage starts dying back.
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Pruning – Prune back overgrown stalks or remove tattered/damaged leaves as needed to maintain an attractive appearance.
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Overwintering – In cold climates, dig up tubers after first frost and store them in peat moss or vermiculite in a cool place over winter. Discard any that are diseased or damaged before storing.
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Pest/disease control – Watch for aphids, mites, and scale. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if pests appear. Practice good garden sanitation by removing all debris in fall. Improve airflow and avoid overcrowding to prevent disease issues.
Tips for Growing Black Magic Elephant Ear
Here are some useful tips to get the most out of your Black Magic elephant ears:
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Site them in a sheltered area protected from strong winds which can shred their huge leaves.
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Provide consistent moisture and fertilizer during the growing months for vigorous growth. Avoid underwatering or overwatering.
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Mulch around plants with 2-3 inches of organic matter to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Replenish the mulch as needed.
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Stake or cage tall plants to provide support and prevent them from toppling over, especially in exposed sites.
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Plant tubers at the same level they were growing or slightly shallower to prevent rot. Don’t plant too deeply.
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Prune off spent flower stalks to improve the plant’s appearance and direct energy to leaf growth instead.
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Grow Black Magic elephant ears in containers on patios or decks where they can be appreciated up close. Use a quality potting mix and provide ample water.
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In cold climates, allow plants to die back naturally after the first frost in fall, then dig up tubers and store them for the winter before ground freezes.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Here are some potential issues and solutions with Black Magic elephant ears:
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Leaves turning yellow – This can indicate overwatering. Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Insufficient nutrients can also cause yellowing. Fertilize plants regularly to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
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Poor growth – Inadequate moisture, sun exposure, or fertile soil can lead to stunted plants. Ensure plants get ample water and soil is rich in organic matter. Move to a sunnier location if needed.
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Leaf spots or blight – Various fungal diseases can cause unsightly spots. Improve airflow and avoid wetting foliage when watering. Remove and destroy severely infected leaves.
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Leaves with ragged holes – Look for caterpillars, beetles, or slugs/snails feeding on leaves. Handpick pests or use organic methods like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or diatomaceous earth.
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Tubers rotting – Storing tubers in overly wet conditions can lead to decay over winter. Use only slightly moist peat or vermiculite and keep tubers at 45° to 55°F. Discard any rotten tubers before replanting.
Achieving Peak Performance
With proper care, Black Magic elephant ears will spread into a beautiful tropical display. Here are some key tips for getting the most out of these exotic beauties:
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Start tubers or young plants early indoors so you have vigorous, established plants ready to move outside after frost danger passes.
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Prepare garden beds well in advance by enriching soil with 2-3 inches of compost and 1-2 pounds of all-purpose fertilizer per 100 square feet of bed space. Thoroughly mix amendments into the top 6 inches of soil.
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Site plants in full sun to partial shade where they will have shelter from harsh winds. Dappled shade under high trees is ideal.
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Water elephant ears deeply and consistently during the growing season. Target 1-1.5 inches of water per week from rain or irrigation. Check soil moisture before watering.
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Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to fuel vigorous growth. Or use a slow release granular fertilizer at planting time.
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Stake taller varieties or those in exposed sites to provide support and prevent toppling or wind damage.
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Remove spent flowers and tattered leaves to direct the plant’s energy into leaf growth and maintain an attractive appearance.
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Winter mulch with a thick layer of leaves or straw after the ground freezes to insulate underground tubers from extreme cold.
Follow these tips and you’ll have gorgeous Black Magic elephant ears as the focal point of your tropical garden. With very little effort, these exotic beauties offer huge dramatic impact.
How to fertilize Black Magic Elephant Ear
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
It’s likely that your plant will need a bigger pot by the time it’s used up all the nutrients in its soil.
Repot your Black Magic Elephant Ear when it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. This will give the plant new nutrients.
Most of the time, Black Magic Elephant Ear is easy to take care of, but some plant owners say they have trouble growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!.
Black Magic Elephant Ear prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. You can use our water calculator to get personalized watering advice based on your area, or you can download Greg to get more detailed advice for all of your plants.
Black Magic Elephant Ear may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Just pick your area to see how the current weather there affects the placement in your home
Black Magic Elephant Ear is not safe to consume. You, a family member, or a pet that has eaten any amount of plant matter should call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222 or see your vet. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Black Magic Elephant Ear doesn’t require additional humidity. Because plants take in water through their roots rather than their leaves, watering the soil is the best way to keep your plants moist.
Black Magic Elephant Ear does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will have a lot of organic matter, like coco coir, and perlite or vermiculite to help water drain away. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!.
If your Black Magic Elephant Ear plant doubles in size, or once a year, you should move it to a new pot. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer as long as you change it every year. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!.
Black Magic Elephant Ear is native to Southeast Asia.
Yes, you may see your Black Magic Elephant Ear bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
The Black Magic Elephant Ear plant grows in groups, which means that new plants will grow from the soil around the parent plant.
USDA Hardiness Zone Black Magic Elephant Ear can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Black Magic Elephant Ear can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. Sometimes they may still be below the ground’s surface. If you are sure, you can take the soil off to see if there are any baby plants below!
- If there are more than one plant growing, take the plant out of its pot and carefully pull the plants apart, being careful not to damage too many of the roots. They might be joined by big pieces of root that you’ll need to break to get the plantlet out.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
It’s not always a bad sign when a plant has yellow leaves; it can be a normal part of its life cycle. Most likely, your plant is just getting rid of old leaves unless brand-new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once.
Since Black Magic Elephant Ear plants don’t like it when the soil is too wet, overwatering and root rot are most likely to be to blame. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Change the wet soil to dry, new soil, and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets too much water again.
To fix a houseplant that looks sad, first look for signs of distress in its leaves, like yellowing, browning, or drooping ones. This could mean that the plant is getting too much water or not enough nutrients.
Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.
Check to see how much light the plant is getting. Too much or too little light can hurt the plant.
Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.
How to care for Black Magic Elephant Ear
Black Magic Elephant Ear needs 0. 5 cups of water every 9 days if it’s in a 5″ pot and doesn’t get direct sunlight.
You can use our water calculator to get personalized watering advice based on your area, or you can download Greg to get more detailed advice for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every 9
Does your plant get direct sunlight? No Yes
Select the pot size
Greg is a plant care intelligence that has learned how plants work so you can grow with confidence!
Houseplant Trends 2022! Colocasia Black Magic (Colocasia Esculenta) Crucial Care! #alocasia
FAQ
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