Which is easier to care for, Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask or Colocasia Green Goblin?

Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask: You want the most dramatic, deeply carved leaf texture available. Colocasia Green Goblin: You want a glossier finish rather than a matte, carved look

Plant Comparison

Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask vs Green Goblin

Both of these Colocasia cultivars are grown for texture rather than colour — plain green, but heavily puckered and crinkled rather than smooth. Pharaoh's Mask has deeply rippled leaves with prominent raised veining on the underside, giving it an almost carved look. Green Goblin is similarly crinkled but glossier and slightly smaller, with a wilder, less structured wave to the leaf.

Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask

Colocasia esculenta 'Pharaoh's Mask'

Deeply rippled, rounded leaves with prominent raised veining, especially visible on the underside. A dramatic, sculptural texture rather than any colour variegation.

Photo: Cephas / CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Colocasia Green Goblin

Colocasia esculenta 'Green Goblin'

Glossy, wildly crinkled green leaves with an untamed, wavy texture. Slightly smaller and glossier than Pharaoh's Mask.

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryColocasia Pharaoh's MaskColocasia Green Goblin

🍃 Leaf textureDeeply rippled, matte, carved lookGlossy, wavy, wilder crinkling

📐 Leaf shapeRounded, dramatic rippleMore elongated, looser wave

📏 Mature size80 cm–1.2 m60–90 cm — slightly more compact

💧 WateringLoves constant moisture; standing water toleratedSame — thrives wet

💡 Light needsFull sun to part shadeFull sun to part shade

📈 Growth rateFast in warm, wet, sunny conditionsFast

🪴 Best useBed, border, large container as a texture feature★Container or bed, slightly better suited to smaller spaces

🛒 AvailabilityUncommon, specialist sellersUncommon, specialist sellers

🐛 Pest riskAphids, spider mitesAphids, spider mites

🎯 DifficultyIntermediateIntermediate

Choose Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask if…

✓You want the most dramatic, deeply carved leaf texture available
✓You have space for a larger plant with rounded, sculptural leaves
✓You want raised veining that stands out especially from underneath
✓You are building a texture-focused foliage bed rather than a colour one

Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask Problem Guide →

Choose Colocasia Green Goblin if…

✓You want a glossier finish rather than a matte, carved look
✓You have slightly less space and want a more compact plant
✓You prefer a wilder, looser wave to the leaf edge
✓You want a plant that still reads as dramatic but takes up less room

Colocasia Green Goblin Problem Guide →

What They Have in Common

•Both are Colocasia esculenta cultivars grown purely for leaf texture, not colour
•Both need constantly wet soil and thrive in boggy or pond-margin conditions
•Both die back in cold weather and regrow from the tuber the following season
•Both need full sun to part shade and heavy feeding for their best display

The Verdict

Both solve the same problem — texture without variegation — so pick by scale and finish. Pharaoh's Mask is the larger, more sculptural, matte option; Green Goblin is the glossier, more compact alternative for a smaller bed or container.

🎭 Colocasia Pharaoh's Mask

🩺 Problem Guide →🌿 Care Guide →

👹 Colocasia Green Goblin

🩺 Problem Guide →🌿 Care Guide →