{"product_id":"black-leaf-illustris-elephant-ears-colocasia-esculenta-black-leaf-illustris","title":"Black Leaf Illustris Elephant Ears - Colocasia esculenta 'Black Leaf Illustris'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlack Leaf Illustris Elephant Ears (\u003cem\u003eColocasia esculenta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Black Leaf Illustris') is a clumping tropical plant with large, velvety, almost black heart-shaped leaves veined in bright green. It stands 60 to 70cm tall and about 50cm wide, and it is built for ponds, water margins and ground that never dries out. It is a plant for the gardener who can keep it wet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNear-black foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The velvet leaves are dark enough to look black, and the bright green veins make the contrast dramatic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for water.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it at the edge of a pond, where the pot can sit submerged to a depth of 15cm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour deepens with age.\u003c\/strong\u003e Leaves are greener when young and on tubestock plants, then darken as the plant grows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun darkens the colour.\u003c\/strong\u003e In full sun, with plentiful water, the leaves turn a deeper shade than they do in part shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile in pots.\u003c\/strong\u003e It also suits indoor pots and rockery pockets, as long as the soil stays moist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePond edges and water gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set the pot in shallow water, no deeper than 15cm, or plant at the margin where the roots stay wet. Space plants 50cm apart for a bold group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMoist beds and bog gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A permanently damp, sheltered corner suits it, away from strong wind that tatters the big leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots indoors and on patios.\u003c\/strong\u003e Stand the pot in a shallow dish of water so it never dries out. Bright, filtered light indoors is best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Black Leaf Illustris Elephant Ears in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Part shade is the safe starting point, in a sheltered position. Full sun gives darker leaves but demands plentiful water. Protect it from frost and strong winds. It suits tropical and subtropical gardens best, and warm temperate ones with shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rich, moist soil that is neutral to acidic. It grows happily in pond margins and bog gardens. Mulch the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Never let it dry out. Water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep it wet after that. It is greedy for nutrients, so feed regularly through the growing season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is tuberous and goes dormant in winter, when growth stops, so remove dead leaves as they fade. Every few years, replant or mulch with compost around the base, because the plant can rise out of the soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Black Leaf Illustris Elephant Ears as tube stock. That is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly in warm, wet conditions. Tubestock leaves are greener than those on a mature plant, and the black colour builds as the clump grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur tubes are supplied by our grower, so they are not always on hand. If the tube shows as sold out, the grower has none at the moment, and the notify button on this page emails you the day it is back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/elephant-ears\"\u003eElephant ears and alocasias\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/elephant-ear-plant-care\"\u003eElephant ear plant care\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/15-best-water-plants-for-australian-garden-ponds\"\u003eBest water plants for garden ponds\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-tropical-climates\"\u003ePlants for tropical climates\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it in a pond?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. It is a pond-margin plant, and the pot can sit submerged to about 15cm. Do not plant it deeper than that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are my leaves green, not black?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung plants and tubestock carry greener leaves, which darken as the plant grows. More sun, with plenty of water, deepens the colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it toxic to pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Colocasia is toxic if eaten, and the sap can irritate skin and mouth, so keep it away from chewing pets and children.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67790285635903,"sku":"COL-ESC-BLACKL-tube","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/black-leaf-illustris-elephant-ears-colocasia-esculenta-black-leaf-illustris.jpg?v=1792197994","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/black-leaf-illustris-elephant-ears-colocasia-esculenta-black-leaf-illustris","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}