About
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Coral' (Royal Hawaiian Series) is a tuberous perennial that reaches heights of up to 1.2 meters. It features substantial leaves that are dark purple, bordering on black, and are supported by sturdy, upright stems. This plant thrives in warm conditions and is best suited for summer gardens.
About the genus
Colocasia comprises tuberous-rooted perennials that may be deciduous or evergreen. The leaves are typically arrow-shaped or rounded and feature noticeable veining. While the flowers are small and borne on a spadix enclosed by a compact white spathe, they are rarely seen in cultivated settings.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
- Toxicity
- Humans/Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Plant tubers in a large pot of humus-rich compost in warm conditions in early spring. In early summer the pot can be positioned in a sunny or lightly shaded spot outdoors, with shelter from strong winds. Water freely when the plant comes into growth and apply a high nitrogen feed weekly. Either move the pot into a greenhouse or conservatory over winter, or lift the tuber and store it dry
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division of rhizomes
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free