Do you have an interest in learning about different varieties of colocasia? Perhaps you’re feeling confused about the various forms of this rare flowering plant. It belonging to the Araceae family, is renowned for its striking foliage colors and rapid growth rate. Originating from Asia, it thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.
Given the abundance of natural and hybrid varieties available, it can be challenging to select a specific one. To address this, we have compiled a list of common and popular colocasia varieties for your enjoyment.
1. Colocasia Black Coral
The cultivar known as Black Coral is among the smaller members of this genus, typically growing to a height of just 2 to 3.5 feet. Its unique characteristics include glossy black leaves that are somewhat narrower than those of other colocasia varieties. On the light black leaf surface, there are greenish stripes, while the petioles have a reddish hue. Black Coral is well-suited to colder regions, thanks to its ability to adapt to these conditions.
2. Pharaoh Mask
The Colocasia Pharaoh Mask cultivar boasts particularly striking leaves that differ from those of other colocasia plants. The leaves are larger in size and a light green color, with noticeable dark purple veins that lend the plant a somewhat ominous and enigmatic appearance. The leaf tips curl downward, and the stems and petioles feature a purplish hue as well.
3. Nancy’s revenge
Next, let’s learn about Colocasia Nancy’s Revenge. This cultivar can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters and features dark green leaves with yellow markings on their surface. The yellow marks form a distinct “Y” shape, adding to the plant’s unique appearance.
4. Black Magic
Another colocasia variety to consider is Colocasia Black Magic, also known as Arum esculenta. Despite its name, the foliage of this cultivar is not entirely black. Instead, the leaves feature a dark, purplish color with a combination of shades of purple and brown. The petioles, or leaf stalks, have a similar appearance to the leaves themselves.
5. Aloha
Colocasia Aloha, also referred to as “Royal Hawaiian,” is another stunning cultivar to consider. This plant can grow to heights of 24 to 36 inches and features striking foliage with a dark purple hue and green veins. The leaves are particularly noteworthy for their remarkable color combination, making this an attractive addition to any collection. Additionally, Colocasia Aloha is an upright-growing plant.
6. Coal Miner
Colocasia Coal Miner features smooth, large leaves with glossy veins that reflect light. Rather than spreading across the entire leaf, these veins are present as a shiny line. The surface of the leaf is purplish, with a light purplish apex and darker purple color on the upper side of the leaf. The underground stem of this cultivar is also the same color as the leaves, creating a visually appealing plant overall.
7. Maui Gold
Colocasia Maui Gold is an annual plant that typically grows to a height of 24-40 inches. This variety is particularly appealing to garden enthusiasts because of its golden veins, which stand out against the green leaves. While the leaves themselves are not particularly dark, the golden accents on their surface give this cultivar an aristocratic appearance. Colocasia Maui Gold can thrive in a variety of climates, from cool areas to hot weather.
8. Blue Hawaii
Moving on, we have the Colocasia Blue Hawaii. This cultivar can grow up to 5 feet in height and 2 feet in width. Its unique feature is the blue margins and veins on its heart-shaped leaves, which catch the attention of many garden enthusiasts. The surface of the leaves is light green, with clear dark purple veins running through them. The stalks of the plant are also a dark purple color. Compared to other colocasia varieties, Colocasia Blue Hawaii is considered tall.
9. Tropical Storm
Colocasia Tropical Storm is a compact cultivar that typically grows up to 2.5 feet in height. It is known for its dark, purplish-black foliage, with a creamy white center on each leaf. While not completely black, the deep purple color of the leaves gives this variety a unique and striking appearance.
10. Kona Coffee
Colocasia Kona Coffee is a comparatively dwarf and compact variety of colocasia cultivars. The leaves are dark chocolate colored near to blackish foliage having a slightly similar structure to a cup. The stalks are also black.
11. Coffee Cup
Colocasia Coffee Cup is a bush-like cultivar that can reach a height of almost 1.5 meters. The green leaves with purple veins have a distinctive cup-like shape, giving them a superior appearance. The petioles of the leaves are blackish and attached to the central point of the leaf lamina. These plants are perennials and are named after coffee cups due to the cup-shaped form of their leaves.
12. Black Beauty
Colocasia Black Beauty is an extraordinary member of the colocasia family. Its leaves are a dark green color with prominent green veins, but what sets it apart are the black spots on the leaf surface, giving the appearance of black pigmentation between each vein. The light green stalks are tall and support the large leaves, making for a striking appearance in any garden or landscape.
13. Black Gecko
Colocasia Black Gecko is a cultivar with large, striking leaves. Its giant leaves are entirely black, including the petioles and stems. Additionally, its unique crinkled foliage causes the leaves to curl and droop.
14. Red-Eyed Gecko
It sounds like the red-eyed gecko colocasia plant is a popular and attractive variety due to the dark red spot at the beginning of its central vein. The leaves are a soft green color with a small red spot in the center, and the stalks are pinkish. It’s no wonder why it’s becoming a popular choice for gardeners around the world.
15. Morning Dew
Colocasia Morning Dew is a beautiful cultivar with glossy green leaves that have a unique characteristic of becoming glittery due to their light green or yellow stripes when exposed to the sun. The leaves are also described as gigantic and dark green with yellowish marks, while the stalks are light green and medium-sized. It seems like a plant that would be a great addition to any garden or indoor space.
16. Milky Way
Colocasia Milky Way is a cultivar of Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as elephant ear or taro. It is a tropical perennial plant that is grown for its large, decorative leaves. ‘Milky Way’ is known for its striking foliage, which features green leaves with splashes and speckles of white, resembling a starry night sky.
17. Lemon Lime Gecko
Colocasia Lemon Lime Gecko is a tropical plant that is grown for its large, striking foliage, which is variegated with shades of green and yellow. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a lime green color at the center and lemon yellow edges. The plant typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and has a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
18. Mojito
Colocasia Mojito is a tropical plant that is grown for its large, striking foliage, which is variegated with shades of green and white. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a green center and white edges. The plant typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and has a spread of 2 to 3 feet.
19. Light Pillar
Colocasia Light Pillar is a tropical plant that is grown for its large, upright foliage, which has a striking vertical form. The leaves are arrow-shaped, with a glossy, dark green color. The plant typically grows to a height of 5 to 6 feet and has a narrow, columnar shape, with a spread of only 1 to 2 feet.
20. Pink Sapphire
Colocasia Pink Sapphire is a tropical plant that is grown for its large, heart-shaped leaves that have a striking pink coloration. The leaves are pink and green, with the pink color becoming more intense as the plant matures. The plant typically grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet and has a spread of 2 to 3 feet.
21. Pink Venom
Colocasia Pink Venom is a tropical plant that is grown for its large, dramatic foliage, which has a striking pink and green coloration. The leaves are heart-shaped, with a pink center and green margins.
22. Esculenta ‘White Lava’
Colocasia esculenta ‘White Lava’ is a cultivar of the elephant ear plant that is grown for its striking foliage. The leaves are arrow-shaped and have a glossy texture with green veins that contrast against a white background, creating a marbled effect.
23. Yellow Splash
To conclude our list of colocasia varieties, we have the colocasia yellow splash, which is a hybrid cultivar featuring a unique combination of yellow and green foliage. This rare variety showcases large leaves adorned with grey-green veins, a dark green leaf surface, and creamy yellow patterns. The stalks are green, and it is also a large plant.
Take a look at all the varieties of colocasia and choose one that speaks to you. These extraordinary plants are ready to add beauty to your home garden.
