Colocasia, Elephant Ear, Taro
Colocasiaesculenta 'Black Runner'

Family: Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee)
Genus: Colocasia (kol-oh-KAY-see-uh)
Species: esculenta (es-kew-LEN-tuh)
Cultivar: Black Runner

Category
Ponds and Aquatics
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage

Foliage Color
Dark/Black

Height
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)

Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Where to Grow

Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Cream/Tan

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Blooms all year

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed