Black Coral Elephant Ear Care: A Complete Guide for Growing and Caring for These Stunning Tropical Plants

The black coral elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Coral’) is an eye-catching plant known for its large, glossy, purple-black leaves. Native to Southeast Asia, these tropical plants can grow over 5 feet tall and have leaves spanning over 2 feet across. Their dramatic foliage makes them popular as statement plants in gardens and containers.

Caring for black coral elephant ears requires providing the right growing conditions to keep them happy and healthy. While they need ample moisture and nutrients, their soil should drain well and they need lots of sun to thrive. With the proper care these exotic beauties will continue producing their signature bold, tropical foliage year after year.

Watering Black Coral Elephant Ears

Elephant ears need consistently moist soil to grow their huge leaves. The most common cause of problems is underwatering. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings, then soak the soil completely.

I recommend watering with around 0.5 cups every 9 days for a plant in a 5 inch pot without direct sunlight. Use more water for larger containers or plants getting full sun. In humid climates and during cool weather, they may need less frequent watering.

Never let elephant ears sit in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. Make sure the container has drainage holes and use well-draining soil. Empty excess water from saucers after watering.

Signs of underwatering include dry, crispy leaves and stunted growth. Overwatered plants will have yellow, droopy leaves and roots that feel mushy or fall off easily.

Light Requirements

Elephant ears need full sun to partial shade to thrive. They prefer at least 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. With too little light, the leaves will be smaller and greener rather than dark black.

Indoors, place elephant ear plants within 3 feet of a sunny south-facing window. Turn the plants periodically so all sides get sunlight. Provide artificial lighting if sunlight is inadequate.

Outdoors, choose a site with morning or late afternoon sun but afternoon shade. Afternoon sun in hot climates can scorch the leaves. Dappled sun under trees is suitable outdoor lighting.

Soil for Elephant Ear Plants

Elephant ears need nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Choose a potting mix made for tropical plants, or mix regular potting soil with compost and perlite or vermiculite to improve drainage.

Soil for elephant ears should hold moisture but not get waterlogged. Allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings keeps the roots healthy.

Repotting yearly in fresh soil provides nutrients. Root-bound elephant ears often stop thriving and need more room for growth.

Fertilizer for Elephant Ears

While elephant ears are heavy feeders, most potting soils contain enough fertilizer for several months of growth. Avoid overfertilizing, which can damage the roots.

I recommend repotting black coral elephant ears yearly or whenever the plant has doubled in size. The fresh soil will restore vital nutrients. Slow-release fertilizer can be added to the potting mix before repotting.

If growth stalls before time to repot, use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half the recommended strength every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.

Outdoors, side dress with compost or slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring when growth resumes. Fertilize containers every 6-8 weeks.

Temperature and Humidity

Elephant ears thrive in warm, humid conditions. Daytime temperatures of 70-85°F are ideal. They can tolerate higher heat if the soil stays moist. Avoid exposing them to temperatures below 60°F.

Indoors, place elephant ears in the warmest, brightest area. Maintain minimum temperatures above 65°F. Use a humidifier nearby to keep humidity around 40-50%.

Outdoors, elephant ears are hardy in USDA zones 8-11. They grow as annuals or dug up for winter storage in cooler climates. Moving containers to a sheltered location can extend the growing season.

High humidity is less critical outdoors. But elephant ears appreciate regular misting when grown as container plants.

Common Problems

• Drooping or yellow leaves are signs of overwatering. Allow the soil to dry between waterings.

• Dry, shriveled leaves mean underwatering. Increase watering frequency.

• Small new leaves indicate too little light or fertilizer. Move to a brighter location and fertilize regularly.

• Holes in leaves can be caused by pests like slugs. Remove by hand and use organic pest control measures.

• Leaf spots or blight may occur. Prune affected leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage.

• Rotting stems or roots are caused by overly wet soil. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil.

With proper care providing adequate sunlight, moisture, humidity, and nutrition, elephant ear houseplants will reward you with their bold tropical flair. Their immense leaves bring a dramatic accent to indoor spaces. Outdoors, they can be grown in garden beds or as container plants on decks and patios. Give them a try and enjoy these exotic beauties!