Colocasia ‘Marry the Night’

Colocasia ‘Marry the Night’ is a dramatic tropical elephant ear celebrated for its intense black-purple foliage with subtle glossy highlights. The leaves are large, heart-shaped, and slightly cupped, creating a bold and sculptural tropical presence. Its upright, sturdy stems complement the dark leaves, making this variety a standout statement plant for indoor pots or outdoor tropical gardens.

Origin

‘Marry the Night’ is a cultivated hybrid of Colocasia esculenta, bred for its dark, dramatic foliage and manageable growth habit. Like all Colocasias, it is descended from Southeast Asia and Indian tropical regions, where these plants thrive in warm, humid, and wet conditions. This variety was selected for collectors who want bold, almost black foliage with an architectural growth habit.

What Makes ‘Marry the Night’ Special

The defining feature of ‘Marry the Night’ is its deep black-purple leaves, which create a dramatic contrast in any collection. Compared to other dark-leaved varieties like ‘Black Magic’ or ‘Anubis’, ‘Marry the Night’ has a slightly glossier texture and more sculptural upright leaves. This makes it perfect for indoor display in large pots or as a focal point in tropical garden beds.

Care

‘Marry the Night’ 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 shallow standing water. A shallow tray with water and pebbles beneath indoor pots helps maintain humidity and encourages strong, vibrant foliage.

It prefers bright, indirect light, with tolerance for gentle morning or late afternoon sun. Avoid harsh midday sunlight, which can scorch the leaves and reduce the glossy black appearance.

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 bold leaf growth, and reduce feeding in cooler months when growth slows.

Temperature & Humidity

‘Marry the Night’ 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, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates.

Pet and Reptile Safety

Like all Colocasias, ‘Marry the Night’ 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

‘Marry the Night’ works beautifully both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, it makes a dramatic statement plant in bright, humid rooms. Outdoors, it prefers partial shade and consistently moist soil, ideal for tropical garden beds, patio containers, or near water features. While it prefers damp soil, it does not require permanent standing water, though a water tray indoors can help maintain humidity.

Comparison to Other Dark-Leaved Colocasias

• Leaf Color: Deep black-purple with glossy highlights; slightly glossier than ‘Black Magic’ or ‘Anubis’.

• Visual Impact: Bold, dramatic, and architectural; perfect for statement plant collections.

• Growth Habit: Upright, medium to large size; compact enough for indoor display.

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 ‘Marry the Night’ is a tropical beauty that adds drama, elegance, and bold foliage to any indoor or outdoor space. Its black-purple glossy leaves and upright growth habit make it a versatile statement plant for pots, patios, or shaded tropical garden beds. With consistent moisture, bright indirect light, and warm temperatures, ‘Marry the Night’ thrives and pairs beautifully with lighter-leaved or contrasting tropical plants, creating a stunning and dramatic display.