Colocasia Esculenta Black Stem Elephant’s Ear

Colocasia Esculenta Black Stem is a frost-tender perennial with large blue-green leaves on black stems. It’s best suited to warm, sheltered borders and tropical-style gardens.

Colocasia Esculenta grows widely around the world. It’s thought to be a native of Southern India and Southeast Asia. It has naturalised in warm climates and was primarily grown in the past for its edible tubers.

Black Stem Elephant’s Ear is its more common name due to the striking purple-black stems and large heart-shaped tropical leaves that resemble an elephant’s ear. The foliage is frost-tender, so it drops with the first frosts, but reappears in late spring to summer. In September, large yellow lily-like flowers may appear amid the foliage. The bold leaves of this exotic tropical plant are very popular in tropical-style gardens and warm urban courtyards that trap heat so long as the roots have plenty of moisture.

Height And Spread of Colocasia Esculenta Black Stem
Black Stem Elephant’s Ear reaches a maximum height of two metres and spreads over 60 cms.

How Hardy Is Colocasia Esculenta Black Stem
Black Stem Elephant’s Ear is best grown in the UK’s warmer south. It is frost tender and requires crown cover during wet, cold winters. Container specimens should be brought under cover.

How To Use Colocasia Esculenta Black Stem
This plant is a bold architectural addition to tropical and foliage gardens. It will grow in a moist but warm border and in well-watered containers bringing a rainforest-style theme to decks, patios, and sheltered balconies.

To Care For Colocasia Esculenta Black Stem
Black Stem Elephant’s ear doesn’t cope with frosts. It’s best to dig up the tubers and place them in a dark, frost-free environment until late spring.
You can replant the tubers in spring when the frosts have passed. If this isn’t possible cover the tubers with a thick layer of mulch and a bell cloche. Container-grown specimens should be put under cover during winter.
This is a hungry and thirsty plant in the summer so be sure to water it regularly and feed it once a month in a border and more frequently in a container. Don’t allow it to dry out or the leaves will turn brown.
Colocasia needs heat, but not direct sunlight which will burn its glossy foliage. A partially shady spot in a sheltered position is best.
Its foliage will fall with the first frost so there is no need to prune it, but you can remove damaged leaves throughout the summer.