Black Magic Elephant Ear is a plant that has deep-purple stalks suspend luxurious leaves of the same color. They can grow up to 6 feet while their leaves can grow up to 2 to 3 feet in length and 1 foot in width.
Black Magic Elephant Ear Care and Growth Guide
So you want to plant black magic elephant ears at your home and bring a sapling but don’t know where to start. You will be learning to care for and grow your black magic elephant ears plant in this section. So here are some of the points you will have to watch out for while planting black magic elephant ears:
1. Light
As for light black magic elephant ears need bright but indirect sunlight for their proper growth. Remember too much direct sunlight can cause the plant to have scorched leaves so planting them in filtered or dappled sunlight is perfect for their growth. But if your region has intense sunlight you can plant them in shaded places.
2. Soil
For proper growth and care black magic elephant ears need well-draining and nutrient-rich soil to grow properly. You can also make a mixture of potting soil and organic compost to help them grow properly. Remember to make the soil retain moisture and not make them waterlogged.
3. Water
As for water black magic elephant ears prefer high humidity so to maintain high humidity you can plant them in a bathroom that has high humidity, you can mist water on their leaves regularly or you can even place a tray of water nearby them to maintain their moisture level. Also, remember not to let the plant sit on water as that can lead to root rot.
4. Temperature
For proper growth and care black magic elephant ears need a minimum of 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 85 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius to 29 degrees Celsius. Remember to avoid the cold temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit to 10 degrees Celsius.
5. Fertilization
As for fertilization black magic elephant ears prefer balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season which is spring and summer for them. Remember to add water half or a quarter of the fertilizer to avoid overfeeding them.
6. Potting and Repotting
If you are growing your black magic elephant ears in a container remember to repot the plant every couple of years into a slightly larger container to help them to grow properly and freely. Also while repotting the black magic elephant ears remember to use fresh potting soil rather than old ones.
7. Pruning
Remember to trim off black magic elephant ears and yellow or dead leaves from time to time to maintain the plant’s appearance and overall health. Pruning can help the black magic elephant ears plant to improve the air circulation around them.
8. Pests and Diseases
Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites are some of the most common pests black magic elephant ears get and you will have to get rid of them as soon as possible. To treat the black magic elephant ears you will have to use insecticidal soap or neem oil to get rid of the common pests. To protect your plant from fungal diseases you need to ensure the plant has good air circulation and avoid overwatering.
9. Winter Care
During winter you have to protect black magic elephant ears by bringing them indoors during the winter as they can’t handle cold climates well. After you bring the plants indoors you will have to keep them near a bright window and maintain their constant temperature while reducing the water.
10. Propagation
During the active growing season, black magic elephant ears can be propagated perfectly by dividing their rhizomes. You just have to ensure that the divided section of the plant has healthy rhizomes and a few leaves. Then you can just plant the separated decision in different pots or in different garden areas.
Types of Elephant Ears
Elephant ears are one of the well-known plants for both indoor and outdoor. There are a lot of varieties of Elephant ears but all of them are extremely similar in appearance and can be distinguished by the color of their leaves and their conditions to grow. Most of the local gardens or nurseries sell “Black Magic Elephant Ear” to their customers. So here are some of the various species of Elephant ears that are best for both indoors and outdoors:
Colocasia
- C. esculenta ‘Black Magic’: C. esculenta ‘Black Magic’ has very deep purple, almost black leaves and grows to 6 feet tall and wide with 4 feet wide by 5 feet long leaves.
- C. esculenta ‘Mojito’: C. esculenta ‘Mojito’ has green leaves with black and purple splotches and grows to 5 feet tall and wide and it is considered the best type of variegated elephant ear.
- C. gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’: C. gigantea ‘Thailand Giant Strain’ has enormous green leaves and can grow 4-6 feet long. The plant commonly grows 10 feet tall and is spreaded underground runners rather than tubers or corms.
- C. esculenta ‘Black Coral’: C. esculenta ‘Black Coral’ has dark purple, glossy, slightly puckered leaves and grows to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- C. esculenta ‘Royal Hawaiian Aloha’: C. esculenta ‘Royal Hawaiian Aloha’ has glossy, dark olive green leaves with spring green veins and grows to 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- C. esculenta ‘Coffee Cups’: C. esculenta ‘Coffee Cups’ has very cupped, upright, glossy green leaves with purple veins and stems and the plants fill with water in the rain and then release it. They can grow 5-6 feet tall and slightly less wide.
Alocasia
- A. × amazonica: A. × amazonica also known as African Mask has a hybrid with leathery, wavy-edged, and dark bronze-green leaves with thick white veins. They can grow up to 2 feet tall.
- A. ‘Frydek’: A. ‘Frydek’ has a hybrid with dark, velvety-green, and heart-shaped leaves with contrasting white veins. They can grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- A. sarawakensis ‘Yucatan Princess’: A. sarawakensis ‘Yucatan Princess’ is a large plant that has gray-green leaves with reddish undersides and reddish-brown stems. They can grow up to can grow to 4-8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
Xanthosoma
- X. ‘Lime Zinger’: X. ‘Lime Zinger’ has chartreuse or lime green arrow-shaped leaves and can grow up to 3-4 feet tall with leaves that grow to 18 inches long.
FAQs
Q. Is Black Magic Elephant Ear Poisonous?
Yes, black magic elephant ear is poisonous to both humans and animals if any part of the plant is consumed ray as they contain calcium oxalate crystals but can be consumed once they are cooked.
Q. Do Black Elephant Ears Like Full Sun?
Yes, the black magic elephant ear likes full sun if they are darker-colored varieties but rather than darker-colored varieties other varieties like partial shade.
Q. How Big Do Black Magic Elephant Ears Get?
Black magic elephant ear can get up to 6 feet in height with 1-foot width and each of its leaves can reach 2 to 3 feet in length.
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