Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Black Swan Elephant Ear: A Dark Tropical for Big Summer Pots
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Black Swan elephant ear grows huge, glossy, near-black leaves with a deep purple sheen, held on jet-black stems that arch outward so the leaves nod downward. In a warm summer it can reach about 5½ to 6 feet tall, turning a large container or damp bed into a dark tropical umbrella.
It is about as far from lavender as a garden plant gets: wet where lavender is dry, lush where lavender is lean. That is exactly why it works on the other side of the patio.
Black Swan at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Colocasia esculenta 'Black Swan' |
| Foliage | Glossy near-black with a purple sheen, leaves up to about 2 feet long |
| Stems | Jet black and glossy |
| Size | 66 to 72 inches tall, 5 to 7 feet wide |
| Flowers | Insignificant |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 8 to 10 |
| Light | Full sun to part shade |
| Deer | Resistant |
How it fits a lavender garden
Black Swan cannot share a bed with lavender. It needs rich soil kept consistently moist, plus regular feeding, which would rot lavender in a season. Instead, think of it as a summer feature for the wet or watered parts of your outdoor space: a big pot by the back door, a damp corner near a downspout, a bed beside a pond.
From there, its dark foliage frames the view toward sunny lavender beds, and it makes a dramatic backdrop for brightly colored annuals in mixed containers. Plan sun, shade and wet spots together in the Companion Plant Planner.
Summer care
- Planting out: wait until nights stay warm, after your last frost. The Frost Date Estimator helps with timing.
- Water: keep the soil wet, especially in full sun, to prevent leaf scorch.
- Feeding: feed regularly through the growing season.
- Containers: use a large pot; this plant grows fast in hot weather.
Overwintering in Michigan
Black Swan is not hardy here. After the first frost blackens the leaves, dig the tuber, let it dry and store it in dry peat or wood shavings at about 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Or bring the potted plant indoors to a bright, warm spot and keep it growing as a houseplant until spring.
About the 20-cell tray
Black Swan is offered as a 20-cell plug tray, with larger plugs suited to potting up for containers or planting a bold summer bed. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Can I eat it? It is Colocasia esculenta.
No. Grow it as an ornamental. The raw leaves and tubers contain calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and skin.
Will deer eat it?
Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone.
Does it flower?
Flowers are insignificant. The leaves are the whole show.
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