Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ (Colocasia esculenta)

Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ | Colocasia esculenta

Bold tropical pond plant with dramatic dark foliage and striking architectural presence

Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ is a truly eye catching tropical pond plant that instantly transforms any pond or water feature into a bold, exotic display. Known for its large, heart shaped leaves in deep purple to near black tones, this variety of Colocasia creates a powerful contrast against green planting and reflective water surfaces, making it a standout focal point in any garden.

This stunning plant produces broad, glossy leaves that can reach impressive sizes, giving your pond a lush, jungle like feel. Growing between 80 cm and 120 cm tall, it adds both height and structure while maintaining a soft, flowing appearance. Although it may occasionally produce flowers in late summer, it is primarily grown for its striking foliage rather than blooms.

Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ thrives in warm conditions and performs best when planted in shallow water or consistently moist soil. It prefers a sunny position, where its dark foliage develops the richest colour. Whether used in pond margins, bog gardens, or large containers, it creates a dramatic, contemporary look that works perfectly in modern or tropical themed designs.

This plant is not hardy in UK winters, but it can be enjoyed outdoors throughout the warmer months. As temperatures begin to drop, it should be moved to a frost free location such as a greenhouse or conservatory. With proper care, it can be overwintered and enjoyed year after year.

In addition to its visual appeal, the large leaves provide shelter for amphibians and help create a more diverse pond environment. Its bold presence pairs beautifully with softer marginal plants and flowering species, adding depth and contrast to your planting scheme.

If you are looking to create a pond with real impact, Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ is an exceptional choice that delivers colour, texture, and a true tropical feel.

🇬🇧 UK-grown aquatic plant: Grown at a dedicated aquatic plant nursery in the South of England and carefully prepared for delivery across the UK.

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Key Benefits

• Large, dramatic foliage with deep purple black colouring
• Creates a strong tropical and modern garden look
• Excellent focal point for ponds and water features
• Adds height, structure, and contrast to planting schemes
• Provides shelter for amphibians and pond wildlife
• Perfect for container ponds and bog gardens

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Reasons to Buy

• Instantly adds a bold and exotic feel to your pond
• Ideal for modern, tropical, and contemporary garden designs
• Easy to grow in warm conditions
• Works beautifully as a statement plant or centrepiece
• Can be overwintered and reused each year

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Care Instructions

• Place the plant on a marginal shelf in very shallow water, ideally between 0 cm and 1 cm depth, or in consistently moist soil. Depth is measured from the top of the basket to the water surface.
• Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ prefers full sun and warm conditions. Keep the soil or water consistently moist throughout the growing season. Feed regularly to encourage strong, healthy growth and vibrant foliage.
• Before the first frost, move the plant to a frost free location such as a greenhouse or conservatory. Reduce watering slightly over winter but do not allow the plant to dry out completely.

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Flowering Period

Late summer (not guaranteed, grown mainly for foliage)

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Size and Growing Conditions

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Dispatching Your Pond Plants

Your Elephant Ear ‘Black Magic’ will be carefully packed to protect the foliage and roots during transit.

Orders received by 11am Monday to Wednesday are normally dispatched on the following working day using a next working day courier service. During busy periods, dispatch may occasionally take an extra day.

To avoid plants being held in depots over a weekend, we do not usually dispatch on Fridays. Highlands and Islands orders using a two day service are not normally dispatched on Thursdays.

Available basket sizes:

• 3 Litre Hexagonal Basket – 18 × 18 × 16cm

Planting depth is measured from the top of the aquatic basket to the water surface.

Finofil baskets are manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled plastic and are fully recyclable. Their fine dual-mesh construction helps retain aquatic soil while allowing water and nutrients to reach the roots. Basket shape may vary slightly depending on the plant and supplier availability.

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Similar pond plants

For another pond-edge planting option, compare Black Gamecock Louisiana Iris (Iris louisiana) and Fibre Optic Plant (Isolepis cernua, syn. Scirpus cernuus).

Explore more marginal pond plants or browse our complete pond plants range. Need baskets, aquatic soil or planting essentials? Browse our pond plant baskets and aquatic planting supplies.