Overview

Introduce a dramatic flair to your landscape or container garden with the magnificent Colocasia Fontanesii live plant. Commonly known as Black Stem Taro or Black Elephant Ear, this tropical perennial is celebrated for its striking dark stems and large, lush foliage. Each leaf can unfurl to an impressive size, creating a truly exotic and architectural display. Our Colocasia Fontanesii live plant arrives healthy and ready to grow, typically in a 6-inch pot and standing between 1 to 2 feet tall, making it an instant focal point. Its unique aesthetic makes it a favorite among gardeners looking to add bold texture and color to their plant collections.

The ‘Fontanesii’ cultivar is particularly prized for its deep purple to black stems that beautifully contrast with its rich green, sometimes dark-veined leaves. This plant thrives in warm, humid conditions and is often used near water features or in boggy areas, but it also adapts well to large containers, bringing its tropical charm to patios and decks. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting, the easy-to-grow nature and stunning appearance of the black stem taro plant make it an exceptional choice for creating a vibrant, jungle-like atmosphere.

Key Benefits

The Colocasia Fontanesii live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly desirable addition to any garden or indoor space. Its striking appearance and vigorous growth contribute significantly to its appeal.

• Dramatic Visual Impact: The large, heart-shaped elephant ear leaves, often paired with contrasting dark stems, create an immediate tropical and architectural statement in any setting. This plant is a true showstopper.
• Versatile Landscaping: Ideal for use in garden beds, along pond edges, in large containers, or even as a houseplant in bright, humid environments. Its adaptability makes it suitable for various design schemes.
• Rapid Growth: Given adequate water and nutrients, the Colocasia Fontanesii live plant grows quickly, allowing you to establish a lush, tropical look in a relatively short period.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, this plant requires minimal care, primarily focusing on consistent moisture and warmth, making it suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Air Purifying Qualities: Like many large-leaved plants, Colocasia can contribute to improving indoor air quality by absorbing toxins and releasing oxygen, enhancing your home environment.
• Unique Foliage: The distinctive black stems and deep green leaves set it apart from other elephant ear varieties, offering a unique texture and color contrast that elevates your plant collection.
• Pest Resistant: Generally, this plant is quite resilient to common garden pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments and making it a healthier choice for your garden.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Colocasia Fontanesii live plant is relatively straightforward, especially if you provide it with the right conditions. This tropical beauty thrives in warm, humid environments, mimicking its natural habitat. For optimal growth, ensure it receives consistently moist soil and plenty of warmth. It prefers full sun to partial shade; in hotter climates, some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorching, while in cooler regions, more sun will encourage vigorous growth. Aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight for best results. The plant is typically grown as an annual in colder zones or brought indoors during winter as a houseplant.

Watering is crucial for the black stem taro plant. It is a water-loving plant and performs best when the soil is kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely between waterings, especially during hot summer months. Well-draining, rich organic soil is ideal. You can enrich your soil with compost or well-rotted manure to provide the nutrients it needs. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks during the growing season (spring through summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer to support its rapid growth and large foliage. Reduce feeding in fall and winter when growth slows.

The ideal temperature range for elephant ear plant care is between 65-85°F (18-29°C). It is not frost-tolerant, so in USDA zones below 8, it should be treated as an annual or overwintered indoors. Common problems include spider mites in dry conditions; misting the leaves regularly can help prevent this. Ensure good air circulation to deter fungal issues. With proper care, your Colocasia Fontanesii will reward you with lush, vibrant foliage throughout the growing season, contributing to a stunning tropical garden or indoor display. Understanding Colocasia Fontanesii care is key to a thriving plant.

Size & Details

This Colocasia Fontanesii live plant is supplied in a 6-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy root system for immediate planting. At the time of shipment, the plant typically stands between 1 to 2 feet tall, already showcasing its distinctive black stems and developing elephant ear leaves. When mature, this impressive plant can reach heights of 5-7 feet, with individual leaves growing up to 3 feet long under ideal conditions. Its growth rate is considered fast, allowing you to enjoy its full grandeur within a single growing season.

The plant is shipped as a well-rooted specimen, carefully packaged to ensure its safe arrival. Expect it to establish quickly in your garden or container. While it can be grown year-round in tropical and subtropical climates, in cooler regions, it’s best enjoyed as a summer annual or brought indoors before the first frost. The striking contrast of its dark stems against the green foliage makes it a superb choice for creating visual interest and depth in your plant arrangements. This vigorous plant is an excellent addition for anyone seeking a bold, tropical aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Colocasia Fontanesii live plant can grow quite large, typically reaching 5-7 feet tall with leaves up to 3 feet long when mature, under optimal growing conditions.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This plant is shipped in a 6-inch nursery pot, providing a good head start for its root system.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: It can thrive both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, it prefers warm, humid climates (USDA zones 8-11). Indoors, provide bright, indirect light and high humidity for the best Colocasia Fontanesii care.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: It prefers full sun to partial shade. In very hot climates, partial afternoon shade is recommended to prevent leaf scorch.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the black stem taro plant is generally considered easy to care for, mainly requiring consistent moisture, warmth, and rich soil.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit, ready for planting.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, it is shipped rooted in its 6-inch nursery pot with soil to ensure its health upon arrival.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: Colocasia Fontanesii is not frost-tolerant and prefers temperatures above 60°F (15°C). It should be protected from cold or brought indoors when temperatures drop.
• Q: How often should I water my elephant ear plant? A: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. It’s a thirsty plant, especially in warm weather, so check the soil daily and water when the top inch feels slightly dry.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this plant? A: A rich, well-draining, and consistently moist soil with plenty of organic matter is ideal for optimal growth of your elephant ear plant care.