Colocasia esculenta Midnight Beauty
Notify MeColocasia esculenta 'Midnight Beauty' is a bold, tropical perennial prized for its dramatic, deep purple to near-black, heart-shaped leaves held on sturdy, dark stems. With its striking foliage and lush, upright form, it creates an eye-catching focal point in garden beds, borders, or large containers. Typically reaching 1.2-1.5 metres high and about 1 metre wide, it suits tropical, contemporary, and subtropical garden styles.
Thrives in full sun to partial shade with rich, consistently moist, free-draining soil. Performs well in boggy areas or near water features and benefits from regular feeding during the growing season. Space plants 80-100 cm apart to allow for full leaf spread. Protect from frost-either lift and store the tubers over winter in cooler regions or grow in containers that can be overwintered indoors.
Trimming: Remove old, damaged, or yellowing leaves regularly to keep the plant healthy and enhance its dramatic foliage display. Cut spent stems back to the base. In cooler regions, cut back fully in late autumn before lifting or protecting for winter.
Deadheading: Not required, as Colocasia is grown for its foliage rather than its flowers.
Fertilising: Feed every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser to support vigorous foliage growth. Alternatively, use a slow-release fertiliser in early spring and top up mid-season if needed.
Watering: Keep soil consistently moist-Colocasia ‘Midnight Beauty’ thrives in wet conditions and can even tolerate boggy soils or shallow water. Avoid letting the soil dry out, especially during hot weather.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. Treat infestations early with insecticidal soap or neem oil. In containers, check for vine weevil larvae in the soil.
Disease Management: Ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering in cooler or humid conditions to reduce the risk of fungal issues such as leaf spot. Remove any affected leaves promptly. In containers, ensure drainage is excellent if not grown in waterlogged conditions.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
