Plants come in a rainbow of vibrant colors, so it’s easy to underestimate the beauty of darker, more understated members of the plant family.
If you’re looking for a mysterious, classy, and slightly gothic-looking addition to your garden or home, why not choose one of these stunning black plants?
There are so many different kinds of plants on this list, from succulents to begonias, so there are black plants here to suit everyone!
1. Black Velvet Alocasia (Alocasia Reginula)
Black Velvet Alocasia is a rare plant that grows well indoors. This is a miniature jewel variety of the Alocasia family, originating from the jungles of Borneo and thriving in the warm, humid conditions of a tropical climate.
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2. Colocasia Black Magic (Colocasia Esculenta)
This tuberous, perennial plant has leaves that turn from a light green color to a darker shade of black with a purple tint. Colocasia Black Magic can grow up to 2.5 meters tall, although it can take up to 10 years to do so.
3. Black Rose Aeonium (Aeonium ‘Black Rose’)
Black Rose Aeonium, also known as the Aeonium Black Rose Succulent, grows leaves that range in color from deep burgundy to completely black. These plants do well in environments with lots of light and well-draining soil.
4. Nigra Hollyhock (Alcea Rosea ‘Nigra’)
The leaves of the Nigra Hollyhock plant are a dark maroon brown color at the edges and appear black in the center of the flower. This is primarily a biennial plant but it can also be grown as a short-lived perennial.
5. Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus)
Black Mondo Grass makes the perfect addition to any garden, adding contrast and drawing the eye. Each plant grows up to 20 cm in height and up to 30 inches in width.
6. Midnight Ruffles Hellebore (Helleborus ‘Midnight Ruffles’)
If you’re looking for ways to add some mystery and elegance to your garden, the Mightnight Ruffles Hellebore could be the black plant for you. The purple-back color of the petals contrasting with the yellow pistils is truly a sight to behold!
7. Bat Flower (Tacca Chantrieri)
For a spooky, gothic ambiance, try planting or decorating with some bat flowers! Tacca Chantieri is a type of Orchid that can be grown indoors or outdoors but prefers warm, tropical weather.
8. Before the Storm Tall Bearded Iris (Iris ‘Before the Storm’)
The Before the Storm Iris, or Before the Storm Tall Bearded Iris, is a herbaceous perennial plant. The flowers range from dark purple to black and have scalloped edges that make them look delicate and beautiful despite their low-level toxicity.
9. Black Taffeta (Heuchera)
Black Taffeta, also commonly known as Coral Bells, is notable for its large, black, shiny leaves. This plant will attract butterflies to your garden and it’s fairly low maintenance, so you can enjoy the gorgeous display from a distance.
10. Dark Dimension Hyacinth (Hyacinthus Orientalis ‘Dark Dimension’)
Dark Dimension Hyacinth is sometimes referred to as Black Hyacinth. The edges of the flowers’ petals are a blue-purple color, but towards the center, the flowers look jet black. This is a striking-looking plant that will make everyone envious of your garden!
11. Black Beauty Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra ‘Black Beauty’)
This stunning Elderberry plant combines dramatic, black foliage with pale pink flowers. If you’re looking to strike a balance between dark and light colors in your garden, Black Beauty Elderberry is an excellent choice.
12. Emerald Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia Caperata)
The leaves of Emerald Ripple Peperomia range quite a lot in terms of color, from shades of forest green to a silvery, burgundy, black color. This is a really interesting plant to look at, and since it’s non-toxic, it’s safe to grow indoors around pets.
13. Black Baccara Rose (Rosa ‘Black Baccara’)
You don’t get much more floral elegance than this Black Baccara Rose! Black Baccara Roses can often be deep red in color, but sometimes, they are so heavily pigmented that the petals look almost entirely black with hints of burgundy.
14. Sorbet Black Delight Viola (Viola Cornuta)
The Sorbet Black Delight Viola has blue-black petals that encircle a bright yellow and lilac center. This hybrid flower prefers to grow in partial shade and will bloom between late summer and mid-fall season.
15. Black Magic Mangave (Mangave ‘Black Magic’)
Black Magic Mangave almost looks like something out of a science fiction movie, so if you’re trying to make a visual statement in your garden or on your windowsill, this is the plant for you! Hence, the spiky black foliage thrives and turns a darker shade of black with lots of UV light.
16. Black Fancy Begonia (Begonia ‘Black Fancy’)
This dark, delicate-looking begonia plant is a type of rhizomatous begonia. Black Fancy Begonias need a specific environment in order to thrive, with moderate to high humidity, good air circulation, and moist soil.
17. Queen of Night Tulip (Tulipa ‘Queen of the Night’)
Tulips are a classic choice for a spring garden, but the Queen of Night Tulip will help your flower beds to stand out. At times, these tulips can look more dark purple than black, but the almost completely black tulips are especially rare and sought-after.
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18. Black Hens and Chicks (Echeveria ‘Black Prince’)
Echeveria ‘Black Prince’, commonly known as Black Hens and Chicks, is a type of succulent plant that can vary in color. Some of these succulents have green or dark red foliage, but others turn a very dark maroon or black color.
19. Zamioculcas ‘Raven’ (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia ‘Raven’)
Zamioculcas ‘Raven’ is the perfect black houseplant for people who don’t have a lot of time for plant care or who live in areas with varying degrees of sunlight.
This dark-leafed perennial plant doesn’t need to be watered very often and can tolerate low-light environments, although warm, brightly-lit areas are preferable.
20. Black Prince Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Black Prince’)
Black Prince Coleus is an award-winning evergreen shrub in the horticultural world. Thus, this plant’s purple-black leaves make it a visually fascinating outdoor plant, and it will be subtly decorative if you bring it inside for the winter.
21. Odessa Calla Lily (Zantedeschia Rehmannii Violacea)
The Odessa Calla Lily exudes sleek elegance, so whether you’re looking for a sophisticated addition to your garden or some floral decoration inside your home, this black lily is a great choice. The plant blooms, producing black flowers, during the summer.
22. Black Velvet Petunia (Petunia ‘Black Velvet’)
Black Velvet Petunias are dark, delicate-looking, and surprisingly hardy flowers that can stay in bloom from late spring into early winter. This flower grows best in a container or tub with some shelter as well as direct sunlight.
23. Purple Oxalis (Oxalis Triangularis)
You might also hear Purple Oxalis referred to as the purple-leaf shamrock because of the unique color of its foliage, which varies from red-black to a near-black shade of purple. This is a good low-maintenance black plant but you will need to plant it in well-draining soil.
24. Diabolo Ninebark (Physocarpus Opulifolius ‘Diabolo’)
Diabolo Ninebark is a variety of deciduous shrub, distinguishable by its large, black foliage and small, pale pink and white flowers. This plant is an especially good choice if you’re looking for a shrub border for your garden or flower bed.
25. Red Rubin Basil (Ocimum Basilicum ‘Purpurascens’)
Red Rubin Basil (also known simply as red basil) has reddish-black foliage and is often grown as an ornamental plant, but excitingly, it’s also edible! This basil tastes very similar to sweet basil, although the flavor is a little more potent than its traditional counterpart.
26. Black Pearl Pepper (Capsicum Annuum)
Black Pearl Pepper is another edible black plant suitable for gardeners and cooks alike! The foliage of this plant ranges from deep purple to black, but the really exciting thing about Capsicum Annuum is that hot peppers grow from the center of the flower!
27. Black Barlow (Aquilegia Vulgaris)
Black Barlow is a perennial plant that blooms into red-black flowers between the spring and summer seasons. These flowers can tolerate partial shade but they need a fine balance between moist and well-drained soil as well as regular pruning to prevent pest infestation and disease.
28. Chinese Jade (Sinocrassula Yunnanensis)
Chinese Jade is a variety of rosette succulent, with leaves such a dark shade of green that they look black. This is a small succulent, measuring just 1.4 inches in diameter per rosette on average, so it’s ideal if you don’t have much space for potted plants.
29. Black Knight (Alcea Rosea) – Black Plants
Alcea Rosea is a member of the hollyhock family, known commonly as Black Knight because of its rich black-red flower petals. Furthermore, the center of the flower is yellow with pale pistils, which contrast vividly with the petals and draw in butterflies and hummingbirds.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, even though plants and flowers are often associated with pale or bright colors. There is something equally beautiful about black plants!
Remember, some of these black plants have specific growing and climate requirements. While others are toxic, so make sure to research a plant in-depth before bringing one home.
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