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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: AraceaeGenus: ColocasiaSpecies: esculenta
Cultivar
Black Ruffles Elephant Ear
Colocasia esculenta 'Black Ruffles'
Cultivar: Black Ruffles
This striking cultivar of Colocasia esculenta stands out with its intensely dark, nearly black foliage and distinct, wavy leaf edges. The impressive, ruffled leaves provide a high-contrast architectural element for tropical-themed gardens, pond borders, or decorative containers. It thrives in humid environments with consistent moisture, making it an excellent choice for adding bold color and texture to shaded landscape areas.
Black Ruffles is a stunning tropical elephant ear featuring deeply ruffled, dark purple-black foliage that adds dramatic texture to any garden.
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Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
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See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Black Ruffles Elephant Ear with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Partial shade to bright filtered light.
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Water
Keep consistently moist; this plant tolerates wet soil well and should never be allowed to dry out completely.
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Mature size
3-5 feet tall and wide.
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Hardiness
Zones 8-11; often grown as an annual in cooler climates.
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial with an upright, dramatic habit.
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Plant type
tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
Best color intensity is achieved when grown in bright, filtered light; excessive deep shade may cause leaves to turn greener. Requires protection from frost.
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Climate note
Requires warm temperatures; growth slows significantly below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the plant is not cold-hardy.
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Flower / fruit
Flowers are rarely seen in landscape cultivation; the plant is grown primarily for its foliage.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Partial shade to bright filtered light.
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Growth rate
Moderate to fast during warm, humid growing conditions.
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Fertilizer
Apply a balanced liquid or slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season to support large, vigorous foliage growth.
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Pruning
Remove older or damaged leaves at the base as needed to maintain a fresh appearance.
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Care notes
Best color intensity is achieved when grown in bright, filtered light; excessive deep shade may cause leaves to turn greener. Requires protection from frost.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
3-5 feet tall and wide.
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Growth habit
Clumping perennial with an upright, dramatic habit.
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Spacing
3-4 feet apart to allow for large leaf spread.
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
Flowers are rarely seen in landscape cultivation; the plant is grown primarily for its foliage.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
Zones 8-11; often grown as an annual in cooler climates.
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Temperature
Requires warm temperatures; growth slows significantly below 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the plant is not cold-hardy.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Keep consistently moist; this plant tolerates wet soil well and should never be allowed to dry out completely.
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Soil
Rich, organic, moisture-retentive, well-draining potting or garden soil.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.5
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Thrives in containers, especially when kept well-watered and fed during the active growing season.
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Family
Araceae
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Foliage Look
Dark purple-black leaves, distinct wavy-ruffled edges, matte texture.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves must show dark, near-black coloration and characteristic ruffled margins.
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Fruit Flower Look
Not applicable; non-flowering display focus.
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Fruit Flower Rules
Do not depict flowers; focus on the high-contrast texture of the foliage.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintain upright, clumping structure; ensure leaves are presented prominently.
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Mature Plant Look
Large, bold architectural clump with dense, wavy-edged, dark foliage.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Large, heart-shaped leaves with prominent veining and deeply ruffled, undulating margins.
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Morphology Rules
Represent the plant as a vigorous, upright tropical specimen with broad, dramatic leaves.
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Plant Faqs
How much water does Black Ruffles need? It thrives in consistently moist soil and should not be allowed to dry out. Does this plant grow well in full sun? It prefers partial shade or bright, filtered light to prevent leaf scorch. Can I grow this in a pot? Yes, it makes an excellent container plant provided the soil stays moist. Is this plant winter hardy? No, it is a tropical plant and requires protection from frost and cold temperatures.
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Root Look
Healthy white roots visible in a small plug form.
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Soil Look
Moist, dark potting mix with organic composition.
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Starter Stage
Small, tender plug with several emerging leaves.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Leaves are smaller and may initially show less intense coloration; stems are tender and flexible.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Black Ruffles Elephant Ear. This is Black Ruffles Elephant Ear, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let Black Ruffles Elephant Ear become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the future tropical garden space you want to create. These bold, heart-shaped leaves define the plant with their dramatic near-black color and unique deeply ruffled edges that stand out in any shaded landscape. Establish your starter plant by moving it into a four-inch pot with quality potting mix, and later relocate it to its final container or garden spot when well-established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Colocasia Black Ruffles elephant ear tropical plants shade garden ornamental foliage Agardeni container gardening tropical landscaping plant care
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Youtube Video Summary
Discover the dramatic beauty of Colocasia 'Black Ruffles', an ornamental elephant ear known for its deeply ruffled, dark purple-black foliage. This tropical powerhouse is an ideal addition for adding structure and color to moist, shaded garden spaces or containers.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing Colocasia 'Black Ruffles' Elephant Ear
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.