Colocasia esculenta (Black colocasia) - Image 29

Diamond Head is a spectacular variety of Taro is named after the volcanic cone on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, which makes sense because both the cone and plant are black and lustrous! A stunning new addition to the world of elephant ears, Diamond Head's broad, lightly ruffled-edged, chocolate-black leaves have a shiny surface and a lustrous sheen that reflects the light. For best color, grow it in full sun. Mature plants form a well-behaved clump and reach 3 to 4 feet tall, with leaves up to 2 feet wide!

This Black colocasia is a must for black plant fanatics. It has large matte black, heart shaped leaves on black/purple leaf stalks. As with most elephant ears, moist soil and high nutrition are the keys to great specimens. In shade leaves turn dark green. Once moved to bright sun, they turn back to black. In cooler subtropical climates leaves die back and the plant emerges from a rhizome in spring.