There are many plants out there full of unique colors. From pinks to yellow to even metallic silvers, any color you may want. But what about those that don’t like a lot of color? Maybe you prefer black or darker colors in your home or garden?
There are a few truly, black plants such as the Chinese Jade and the Black Pansy, though there are many more that are dark green, purple, or red and give the appearance of black leaves and flowers.
You will be surprised how many black varieties there are of certain plants. Most of them are rare and hard to find, but if you can get your hands on them, you will have something unique and truly yours in the garden.
Are There Any Black House Plants?
It is rare for houseplants to be entirely black. Some house plants are dark. Usually, dark purple, green, or red are the most common. Some plants have solid black leaves or flower petals, but not many.
For that reason, we will be discussing many dark plants, not specifically black plants.
19 Best Black House Plants
1. Echeveria – Black Prince, Black Hens and Chicks
This plant generally has leaves that are dark at the tips, almost black, but change to dark red or dark purple in the middle and light green in the center. It is a flowering succulent that gets bright red flowers in fall and winter.
2. Sinocrassula Yunnanensis – Chinese Jade
The Chinese Jade is a black succulent that forms in little rosettes and does well with direct sunlight. They don’t need much attention or care but be careful keeping this plant around pets, as it can be toxic.
3. Aeonium Arboreum – Zwartkop, Black Rose
The Black Rose has thick, fleshy leaves. The bottom of the leaves is often a deep red that darkens to black at the end. It is a succulent, so it does well in a lot of sunlight. It needs a lot of direct sunlight or won’t darken to this color.
4. Ficus Elastica – Rubber Plant
These are large trees that have shiny leaves that are usually green. However, there are a few black varieties. These are the Black Prince and the Ficus Burgundy.
5. Marcgravia Azreal – Shining Vine
A very rare species of plant, the Shining Vine, isn’t really a black plant. Instead, it is a plant that usually is a very dark green to dark purple to the point it almost looks black. It often has an iridescent shine to it as well. This iridescent color is part of where it got its common name.
6. Peperomia Caperata – Burgundy Ripple
The Burgundy Ripple has dark purple to black leaves. However, where it gets its name from is the stems, which are a rich burgundy color. To keep the rich, dark color, you will want to keep it away from a lot of bright light, or the leaves may be bleached.
7. Coleus Scutellarioides – Black Prince
Coleus are plants often sporting small, green leaves that are pink or purple in the center. However, the Black Prince variety is a deep, solid purple. Sometimes, the margins may be lighter than the leaf, but not all the time. They are flowering plants that grow relatively bushy.
8. Peperomia Metallica – Red Tree
Originating in the rainforest, the Red Tree needs a lot of humidity and bright but indirect sunlight. They are usually dark brown to black with silver veins and red on the underside of the leaves. They also tend to grow brilliant flowers at the end of summer.
9. Tillandsia Aeranthos – The Black Airplant
Air plants are ridiculously easy to take care of. As their name suggests, they don’t need soil or water to grow, just air. Many people put them on display in glass jars. Most of the time, they are gray or silvery in color, but the Black Airplant is often dark purple or dark pink, even on the bracts where it blooms from.
10. Hemigraphis Alternata – Waffle Plant
Waffle plants get their name from the unique, puckered texture on the leaves. They are usually deep purple or green, often metallic in coloring. They are perfect hanging flowers and are perennial, so you can enjoy them for years to come.
11. Viola Tricolor (Hortensis) – Black Pansies
Black Pansies are truly black plants. Solid black, instead of dark green, red, or purple, is wanted by many plant enthusiasts worldwide. However, they are susceptible to environmental conditions and can be challenging to take care of.
12. Oxalis Triangularis – Purple Oxalis
The Purple Oxalis is an herbaceous, perennial plant that also goes by False Shamrock or Purple Shamrock. It has dark purple leaves that are small and heart-shaped, growing in a set of three leaves. Usually, they will bloom with small pink or white flowers.
13. Colocasia Esculenta – Black Magic
Also known as Taro Black Magic or Elephant Ears Black Magic, these plants are often dark purple. Even their leaves are dark purple as well. They have a similar appearance to Calla Lily flowers. Though they aren’t showy, they are exotic and pretty to look at.
14. Lithops – Living Stone
Living Stones are unique succulents. As the name suggests, they are plants that look like little stones. They can come in many colors, from bright orange to dark gray or black. Originating from South Africa, they can handle harsh conditions with relative ease. Unfortunately, the dark black color only appears when the plant is stressed, so there is a fine line to ride when getting this color to avoid killing your plant.
15. Ipomea Batatas – Solar Power Black
There are two kinds of Solar Power Blacks that are as dark as their name suggests, Blacks and Black Hearts. Both are sweet potato vines. One has big heart-shaped leaves while the other has lobed leaves.
16. Haworthiopsis Nigra – Haworthia Nigra
These plants are small and black. They originate from South Africa and don’t need a lot of attention. The leaves are triple-tiered, with brilliant silver lines running through them.
17. Strobilanthes Dyeriana – Persian Shield
Persian Shield is a perennial with dark purple and green leaves. They are soft-stemmed and handle cold climates easily. They prefer colder climates but grow better in hotter temperatures.
18. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia – ZZ Raven
ZZ Raven has waxy leaves. The Raven is a relatively new species. It has been bred to be a dark green to black color, and only one group is allowed to produce and sell them. It is a slow grower and shines in the proper lighting.
19. Calathea Roseopicta – Dottie, Rose Painted Calathea
Calathea Roseopictas are very fussy plants, even fussier than other Calatheas. Often, they are bright green or dark green on the tops of their leaves but are dark purple underneath their leaves. Roseopictas are related to Prayer Plants so that they will move throughout the night.
What Are Goth Plants?
Goth plants are often ones you can’t easily find in stores. They often have both dark leaves and flowers. While they may not be entirely black, they are usually dark green, dark red, or dark purple.
Goth plants aren’t an official category but encompass many darker-looking plants that may attract those that don’t necessarily want the usually bright green or colorful plants.
What Is the Most Goth Flower?
One of the most loved of all black plants is the Petunia Black Velvet. They are considered the blackest flowers in the world and are beautiful and velvety. Unfortunately, they are rare, highly in demand, and picky.
However, plenty of other flowers are considered perfect for goth gardens.
Are Black Sunflowers Real?
There are some black sunflowers. Usually, they are considered to have the most oil compared to other sunflower varieties. The most common one is Black Beauty. Some varieties have darker centers but are standard yellow colors.
Are Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers Real?
Chocolate Cherry Sunflowers are real. They are usually dark red on the petals. The seeds are a dark brown to a brownish red color, hence the chocolate cherry name. Despite their unique coloration, the seeds are still edible, much like other sunflower varieties. All sunflowers are edible, from their roots to their flowers.
What Is the Most Unique Flower in the World?
The most unique flower in the world is considered the Black Bat Flower. As the name suggests, it is a black flower with long stamens that are droopy and look similar to whiskers. Though the primary color is black, they also sometimes have hints of purples and blues.
Though it is black, we didn’t include it on the list as it is challenging to grow indoors, so it doesn’t make a great houseplant.
Summary
Whether you want a goth garden, greenhouse, or just a plant different from all the others you own, this list of black house plants is sure to fit you. Some are solid black, while others have rich colors.
If you want darker or even black plants, you will enjoy the 19 plants listed in this article, which include plants with a rich dark green to true black flowers and a little of everything to suit the look you want.
While the Petunia Black Velvet is one of the darkest flowers, there are plants with dark leaves and stems. There are even black sunflowers and dark versions of plants you may already have in your garden or home.