Colocasia esculenta ‘Pink Sapphire’

Colocasia esculenta ‘Pink Sapphire’ is a stunning tropical elephant ear admired for its bold pink stems and striking green leaves with pinkish veins and highlights. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and slightly cupped, creating an architectural and vibrant tropical presence. The combination of green foliage and pink accents makes this variety a showstopper in both indoor pots and outdoor tropical garden settings.

Origin

‘Pink Sapphire’ is a cultivated hybrid of Colocasia esculenta, originating from Southeast Asia. It was selectively bred for collectors and tropical plant enthusiasts who want dramatic foliage with colorful stems, offering a tropical flair with a touch of elegance.

What Makes ‘Pink Sapphire’ Special

The most notable feature of ‘Pink Sapphire’ is its bright pink stems, which contrast beautifully with the green leaves. The veins and subtle highlights in the leaves often carry a pink hue, enhancing the plant’s tropical and exotic appearance. Compared to other Colocasias with darker foliage like ‘Black Magic’ or ‘Kona Coffee’, ‘Pink Sapphire’ brings vibrancy and a cheerful pop of color, perfect for pairing with both light and dark-leaved tropical plants.

Care

‘Pink Sapphire’ thrives in moist, nutrient-rich soil. Keep the soil evenly damp but avoid waterlogging. Indoor plants should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on room humidity and temperature. Outdoors, it enjoys consistently moist soil or can be grown near ponds and water features. For indoor growth, placing the pot on a shallow tray with water and pebbles helps maintain humidity and keeps the foliage vibrant.

It prefers bright, indirect light, with some tolerance for gentle morning or late afternoon sun. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, which can scorch the leaves and fade the pink highlights.

Repot every 1–2 years using a moisture-retentive, well-draining mix such as cocopeat, compost, and perlite. Fertilize every 2–3 weeks during the growing season to encourage healthy, colorful leaf growth. Reduce feeding in cooler months when growth slows.

Temperature & Humidity

‘Pink Sapphire’ prefers warm temperatures (18–28°C) and high humidity. Indoor plants benefit from misting or a pebble tray. Outdoors, it thrives in partial shade and consistently moist soil, especially in tropical and subtropical climates.

Pet and Reptile Safety

Like all Colocasias, ‘Pink Sapphire’ is not safe for pets or humans due to calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves and stems. It is reptile safe for display purposes if reptiles do not consume the foliage.

Indoor or Outdoor Use

‘Pink Sapphire’ is versatile and can thrive both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, it makes a dramatic statement in bright, humid rooms. Outdoors, it enjoys partial shade and consistently moist soil, making it ideal for patio containers, tropical garden beds, or near water features. While it prefers damp soil, it does not require permanent standing water, though a water tray indoors helps maintain humidity.

Comparison to Other Colocasias

• Leaf Color & Stems: Green leaves with pink stems and veins; contrasts beautifully with dark-leaved Colocasias like ‘Black Magic’.

• Visual Impact: Bright, cheerful tropical presence with a pop of color; ideal for mixed collections.

• Growth Habit: Upright, medium to large leaves; architectural and eye-catching.

Summary Care

• Soil: Moist, nutrient-rich, well-draining

• Water: Keep evenly damp; water 1–2 times per week

• Light: Bright indirect light; gentle morning or late sun

• Temperature: 18–28°C

• Humidity: High

• Fertilizer: Every 2–3 weeks during growing season

• Pet Safe: ❌ No

• Reptile Safe: ✅ With caution

Final Thoughts

Colocasia esculenta ‘Pink Sapphire’ is a tropical showstopper that adds vibrancy, color, and drama to any indoor or outdoor space. Its pink stems and green leaves with subtle pink highlights make it a statement plant, perfect for tropical gardens, patios, or bright indoor areas. With consistent moisture, warm temperatures, and bright indirect light, ‘Pink Sapphire’ thrives and pairs beautifully with both dark and light-leaved Colocasias, creating an eye-catching tropical display.