The Colocasia esculenta ‘Bikini Tini’ is a cultivar of the Elephant Ear plant known for its almost black foliage. Its leaves are held upright on purple-black petioles, creating a vase-like silhouette distinct from many other Colocasia varieties. This tropical perennial provides an architectural element to garden spaces or container plantings. Its rapid growth and deep coloration make it a popular specimen.
Essential Environmental Needs
This cultivar thrives best in full sun to partial shade exposure throughout the day. While the plant can tolerate some shade, placing it in full sun encourages the deepest, richest coloration in the dark foliage, though this placement necessitates increased water availability.
Soil composition should be rich in organic matter, mimicking the fertile, marshy conditions of its natural habitat. The plant is a heavy feeder, so the growing medium must be highly fertile and capable of retaining significant moisture without becoming completely anaerobic. Maintaining consistently moist soil is paramount, as the plant will quickly suffer if the root zone is allowed to dry out.
High water requirements mean this plant is often successfully grown in bogs or even containers where a small amount of standing water is maintained at the base. As a tropical species, ‘Bikini Tini’ prefers high warmth and humidity to sustain growth. It is generally hardy only in USDA zones 8 through 10, meaning it requires protection or overwintering procedures in cooler climates.
Planting and Initial Setup
Timing the initial planting should only occur well after the last danger of frost has passed in spring. Warm soil temperatures are required for the tuber to break dormancy and begin producing shoots, typically when temperatures are reliably above 65°F (18°C). When planting the tuber, it should be situated with the pointed growing tip facing upward and covered with approximately 1 to 2 inches of soil.
If planting in the ground, spacing tubers roughly 2 to 4 feet apart allows enough room for the mature foliage to fully unfurl, ensuring good air circulation. For container gardening, selecting a large pot is advisable due to the plant’s rapid growth rate and substantial final size. A container at least 18 to 24 inches in diameter will provide sufficient space for the root system.
Whether planted in the ground or in a container, the initial setup should involve thoroughly soaking the planting area. This ensures the tuber has immediate access to the high levels of moisture it requires to activate the growth process.
Routine Seasonal Maintenance
During the active growing season from late spring through fall, the consistent delivery of water and nutrients becomes the primary focus. The high leaf surface area results in significant transpiration, necessitating daily moisture checks, especially for container specimens. Allowing the soil to become dry, even for a single warm day, can result in leaf scorch or wilting.
To support its vigorous growth, ‘Bikini Tini’ requires a generous and frequent fertilization schedule throughout the season. Applying a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer at the beginning of the season provides foundational nutrition. This should be supplemented every two to three weeks with a high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer, applied during routine watering.
Gardeners should regularly inspect the undersides of the leaves for common pests like spider mites and aphids. If pest populations are detected, a strong jet of water can often dislodge them, or horticultural soap can be used as a targeted treatment. Promptly removing any yellowing or damaged leaves encourages the plant to redirect its energy toward fresh foliage, improving the plant’s overall appearance and maintaining good air flow.
Preparing for Dormancy
In regions where winter temperatures drop below freezing, ‘Bikini Tini’ must be prepared for dormancy. This process should begin shortly after the first light frost, which signals the end of the active growing season by causing the foliage to collapse. The plant should not be moved until the leaves have fully browned, indicating that the plant has pulled energy back into the tuber.
Once the foliage has completely died back, the stems should be cut down to approximately 6 inches above the soil line. The tuber should then be carefully lifted from the ground using a pitchfork, ensuring the outer skin is not damaged. After lifting, the tuber needs to be allowed to air-dry for several days in a shaded, well-ventilated area to heal any small wounds and prevent fungal development during storage.
For storage, the cleaned, dry tubers should be placed in a breathable medium, such as:
- Peat moss.
- Dry sawdust.
- Vermiculite.
The storage location needs to be dark, dry, and maintained at a temperature range of 40°F to 50°F (4°C to 10°C) to prevent freezing and premature sprouting. Checking the tubers periodically during the winter for signs of rot or shriveling ensures they remain viable.