The Most Intriguing and Elegant Black Flowers – 35+ Pics and Cultivation Tips

Black color represents elegance, mystery, power, and sophistication. As such, it is used in many different contexts as literature, lifestyle, fashion, home decor, and indoor gardening.

Though most flowers are by default deep purple (bat orchid) or maroon (black baccara rose or mourning widow), if you are lucky enough, you may encounter varieties that are almost black, like calla lilies, black pansy species, black dahlia species, or even some black roses. Here follows a list of 39 species that have black flowers and leaves, along with some very basic care requirements. Enjoy!

List of Black and Purple Flowers

1. Petunia “Black Mamba”

Black velvet petunia is one of the mysterious and enigmatic species of the Petunia family usually cultivated as a container or ground cover plant. It has ovate, slightly hairy leaves, and velvet-like deep maroon to completely black flowers. The flowers appear in summer, spring, and fall. Grow it in zones 10 and 11. Petunia Velvet Black is another similar plant considered one of the blackest flowers.

Cultivation: Plant black petunia well-drained, loamy or sandy soil kept evenly moist. Shelter from the fierce sun. It fierce and fearless appearance doesn’t shy away from aphids, snails, slugs, and whitefly.

2. Hyacinth “Midnight Mystic”

Hyacinthus orientalis “Midnight Mystique” is a deciduous perennial upright bulb that has sturdy stems that bear scented, bell-shaped deep purple-black flowers in the spring. Ingesting it can cause skin irritation.

Cultivation: Not prone to serious pests or diseases, save for slugs. Provide full sun to partial shade. Pinch spent flowers. Propagate by offsets.

3. Helleborus niger – Christmas Rose

This is a popular winter-flowering cut flower that bears large usually white flowers, but there is also a purple-black variety, though a very rare one. Emerging from the center are yellow stamens. The reason why this plant is called so is that it blooms around Christmas. It thrives in zone 8.

Cultivation: Provide partial shade, humusy and alkaline soil and remove spent flowers. Generally disease- and pest-free.

4. Viola sorbet “Black Delight”

This is a stunning hybrid species featuring velvety, deep purple-black flowers with a yellow center in spring and autumn, rarely in winter. It is excellent for containers, rock gardens, and ground covers. It can grow 8 inches tall.

Cultivation: Plant in well-drained, sandy soil.

5. Tacca chantrieri – The Black Bat Flower

Native to Southeast Asia, the bat flower has no scent, but its flowers more than make up for that disadvantage. It belongs to the family Dioscoreaceae and can grow up to 100 cm tall. The leaves are large, glossy, oval, but the flowers are erect, deep purple to almost black, positioned above the leaves and surrounded by long bracts. It makes the plant look like a bat in flight. The hanging stamens are in the matching color as the flowers which appear from June to November.

Cultivation: It prefers shadowy spots, humusy soil, high humidity where they rule protected from the wind.

6. Lily “Night Rider”

Now, this is a vigorous and mystic lily. It produces long-lasting trumpet-shaped dark flowers in deep maroon to almost black that have a satin sheen. The blooming period is in early summer. It thrives in zones 3-8 and can grow more than 15 cm tall.

Cultivation: Provide full sun to part shade and grow it in well-drained soil.

7. Viola “Molly Sanderson”

This is a rather compact plant and a gracious black flower that instills mystery elegance in the indoor garden. It is a stunning-looking flower that has black petals and a yellow central eye, along with heart-shaped green leaves. It belongs to the family Violaceae.

Cultivation: Plant in chalky and sandy soil. Provide full sun to partial shade, but shelter it from the direct sun. Deadhead after flowering.

8. Papaver macrostomum “Black Magic”

This pure black velvety specimen is ideal for an indoor or outdoor garden. It features black poppy flowers with yellow sepals. It is a real black poppy incredibly beautiful and mystic.

Cultivation: Grow it in a sunny position from seeds.

9. Hellebrous x hybridus “Double Black”

This is a hybrid double black-flowered rose with deep green stems and an erect stem holding the flower from late winter to spring. It may cause irritations if ingested. It grows in zones 4-9. There is another similar plant to this one and its botanical name is Hellebrous x hybridus “Black Diamond” or “Black Swan”.

Cultivation: Plant this hellebore in a compact, heavier soil in part shade. Avoid any extremes in watering.

10. Iris germanica “Black Obsidian”

Pure black Iris is very rare indeed. The reason for it is the concentration of iron and magnesium it contains and the surrounding rocks in the wild will give it a note of brown or red. You are lucky if you manage to get hold of this one. They are said to have protective qualities and many people display them at the front door. It flowers from mid to late spring and adds drama and depth to any display.

Cultivation: Water regularly, provide ample full sun, and choose any type of well-drained soil.

11. Aquilegia atrata – Dark Colombina

This is a stunning and long-lived plant whose deep purple to black flowers open in May and carry pale yellow stamens peeking out.

Cultivation: Sow it from seeds and maintain temperatures around 20 degrees C with increased humidity to get them to germinate.

12. Tulipa single late “Queen of the Night”

This tulip has shiny, uniformly shaped black petals that sit on tall stems. The pattern on the petals looks as if an artist has coated the brush in the purplish-black shade and started painting from the end of the stem upwards. It is a distinctive and unique species – a sight to behold. It makes a great cut flower and looks stunning as a bouquet.

Cultivation: Black tulip appreciates full sun to part shade and well-drained sandy or loamy soil.

13. Streptocarpus – Cape Primrose

This is a perennial plant that produces dark purple to almost black flowers nearly all year round.

Cultivation: Provide lightweight soil, water regularly, fertilize with African violet fertilizer monthly. It can get aphids and mealybugs.

14. Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’

Tulips offer the widest range of colors of all the blooming plants you can grow indoors and they are very affordable and widely available. They grow tall and produce large flowers. Look for those whose buds have not yet opened and keep them in a cool, well-lit room. Tulip “Vincent Van Gogh” is another similar species with longer petals.

Cultivation: Warmth makes this night tulip bloom quickly. Keep soil moist and add pebbles to increase weight.

15. Petunia grandiflora ‘Sophistica Blackberry’

This petunia hybrid produces deep maroon to almost black flowers in spring and summer. It grows to be 40 cm tall and 35 cm wide. It is a one-of-a-kind species with a mounded habit.

Cultivation: Provide full but sheltered sun and sandy or loamy soil very well-drained.

16. Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’

Black Dahlia is a highly decorative double-flowering plant, though it can be quite hard to find them and they usually come in deep maroon. Plant them in groups with other specimens for a more powerful visual effect. It attracts butterflies.

Cultivation: Full sun, average watering, and sandy soil.

17. Black Hyacinth ‘Dark Dimension’

This is an exclusive and highly scented black bulb that attracts swarms of bees and butterflies. It is also a jaw-dropping cut flower and is best displayed as a bouquet in a vase.

Cultivation: Provide full sun to partial shade and water regularly.

18. Cosmos atrosanguineus

Chocolate cosmos is a tender perennial plant native to Mexico that features brownish-red late summer flowers that emit instantly recognizable vanilla and chocolate scent. However, they don’t come back every year, so sow the seeds in early spring.

Cultivation: Chocolate cosmos achieves its optimum growth in a sunny location with semi-shade and well-drained soil.

19. Nemophila menziesii ‘Penny Black’

This is a compact species with luscious deep purple to black flowers rimmed with white. It is also known as Baby Black Eyes.

Cultivation: Provide full sun, average hydration, and quick-draining soil.

20. Calla Lily ‘Odessa’

Zantedeschia is a stunning variety with deep purple to almost black trumpet-shaped flowers, or, more accurately, spathes. The stems are sturdy and leaves bright green spotted with white. It also makes a stunning cut flower or a bouquet.

Cultivation: Full, moist sun. It causes serious discomfort if ingested.

21. Fritillaria persica – Persian Lily

This is a statuesque plant that produces tiny bell-shaped, deep black flowers. It grows in zones 5-8.

Cultivation: Plant it in a sunny spot in well-drained soil.

22. Calla Lily ‘Cantor Black’

This calla lily is native to South Africa and produces tall, erect, shiny deep purple to almost black flowers and spotted bright green foliage. It makes a lovely cut flower or a bouquet. Plant it with other individual plants in a larger pot to achieve a fuller look.

Cultivation: Select a sunny location sheltered from the strong afternoon sun for this lily.

23. Helleborus ‘New York Night’

This is an amazing jet black, purple-black to completely black single flowering species that makes wonderful floral displays if grouped with other species in a single, larger container. It can achieve a height of 24 inches and thrives in zones 4-9. It is bee-friendly, but deer, rabbit, and drought-resistant.

Cultivation: Provide full sun to part shade, water sparingly, and use fertile soil.

24. Echeveria ‘Black Prince’

Time for a black succulent species, this echeveria forms rosettes of outer purple-brown leaves to almost black with lime green centers. Exposed to direct sun, it can turn completely black.

Cultivation: Pot inadequate, well-draining soil, limit watering with special attention not to water the rosette.

25. Pansy ‘Black Beauty’

This is a neat, compact, clump-forming flowering plant in the genus Viola boasting deep green leaves and black flowers with yellow eyes in spring. It doesn’t live long, though and that’s its only disadvantage.

Cultivation: Deadhead after flowering. Grow from seed. Prone to leaf spot or mildew.

26. Petunia hybrida ‘Sweetunia Black Satin’

This black petunia is suitable for grouped containers or combination planters and boasts black, satin, trumpets in spring to late summer. It also makes a good candidate for bedding, containers, or hanging baskets.

Cultivation: Position in full sun, sheltered from the fierce rays. Water occasionally, but don’t mist.

27. Iris ‘Hello Darkness’

Bearded Iris is a stunning flowering plant that always commands and directs the gaze of its observers. It instills a touch of drama to a spring outdoor or indoor garden with thick, pale green stems,sword-like leaves, and deep purple to black flowers. It is a winner of many prestigious awards.

Cultivation: Full sun, humusy, well-drained soil, and regular moisture. Deer, rabbit, and drought-resistant, though ingestion may cause discomfort.

28. Alcea rosea ‘Nigra’

Another showy and mysterious species, Nigra or Hollyhock is a herbaceous perennial plant that produces deep purple blooms that look almost black from July to August. It is always happy to welcome butterflies and hummingbirds.

Cultivation: Ensure full sun and water frequently depending on the amount of light it receives, the type of soil, and location.

29. Zantedeschia ‘Black Star’

This is one of the most intense black Callas in the genus. It bears deep maroon to black spathes on tall and medium-thick stems. Black Star looks particularly charming with lower species or white Callas. It is found in moist areas in its native habitat in South Africa, so it is advisable to replicate these in indoor cultivation.

Cultivation: Full sun to partial shade, humusy, and regularly moist soil with somewhat increased humidity.

30. Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’

The aeoniums are succulent plants from the Canary Islands with thick, fleshy leaves in rosettes at the end of shoots or branches. They do well on sunny windowsills in the home, but they die after flowering, so cuttings should be taken before the flowers appear. A.arboreum atropurpureum is one variety that has chocolate-purple leaves whose color intensifies to black in strong sunlight.

Cultivation: Plenty of light at all times, normal watering in summer, a minimum winter temperature of 10 degrees C, and a gritty compost will keep aeoniums happy.

31. Primula ‘Silver Lace Black’

Silver Lace Black is a perennial plant with deep purple-brown to completely black flowers rimmed with white and with central yellow sepals. Accompanied by them is nicely textured olive-green foliage.

Cultivation: Grow it in a pot, keep it regularly watered and let it soak up the sun from any type of exposure.

32. Rose ‘Black Baccara’

Hybrid Tea Rose is a medium-large breath-taking species with velvety, usually deep burgundy flowers, rarely black and somewhat shiny, dark green foliage. It also makes amazing cut flowers for bouquets and vases.

Cultivation: Full sun, alkaline soil, moist but well-drained soil.

33. Iris ‘Before the Storm’

Considered as one of the blackest Iris varieties on the market, this species has long, thin, pale green stems bearing unusual, feathery, black flowers that resemble wings. The end where the stem meets the flower is wrapped in what looks like a corn’s attire.

Cultivation: Ensure full sun, regular moisture, loamy or sandy soil.

34. Adromischus tigynus – Calico hearts

This is an elegant, flat, paddle-shaped succulent with grey-green leaves with dark purple-brown to black speckles. Yellow-green blooms are overlooked compared to the foliage.

Cultivation: Position in bright light, reduce watering in autumn, and take a leaf or stem cuttings.

35. Aeonium arboreum “Atropurpureum” – Dark purple houseleek tree

A mature very dark purple species like this makes a striking silhouette with its tall branched stems and starry flowers that appear in late spring.

Cultivation: Take cuttings to propagate. Position in full sun. Water regularly to induce flowering.

36. Aeonium “Zwartkop” AGM – Black aeonium

Similar to the species above, this species has dark burgundy rosettes, almost black, with a bright green center. It is a highly prized cultivar and best grown with colorful species or a plain green variety to add a contrasting hue.

Cultivation: Some shade in summer is vital as well as a liquid plant food once a month from winter to late spring.

37. Alcea rosea – Black Hollyhock

A vigorous and robust grower, this plant features funnel-shaped deep purple-black flowers with a pale yellow throat in the summer and they’re arranged from the bottom up. It attracts pollinators but not deer or rabbits.

Cultivation: Full sun, regular moisture, deadhead after flowering, and grow from seeds.

What can I plant with black flowers?

Black flowers pair charmingly with maroon and white varieties, but it all depends on the effect you want to achieve. They still make a powerful statement even on their own. Should you decide to make a floral arrangement, make sure the plants you choose have the same light, water, and soil preferences.

Are there any natural black flowers?

Truth be told, there are not naturally black flowers. Usually, these flowers contain deep purple or maroon pigments, and the blackest flowering species is considered to be black petunia. They are usually the result of hybridization or the interference of another element in nature such as iron or magnesium.

What plants have black leaves?

Here is a list of 10 black species

1. Canna "Tropicanna Black" produces black, velvety leaves and scarlet flowers. 
2. Another such variety is Sambucus nigra "Black Beauty" with clusters of pink flowers. 
3. Ophiopogon planiscapus "Nigrescens" or Black Mondo is a foliage plant ideal for outdoor gardens. 
4. Solenostemon ‘Black Prince’ is another intriguing shrub and a personal favorite of mine featuring deep purple to black leaves and lavander flowers.
5. Heuchera ‘Obsidian’or Coral Bells also has deep maroon to black leaves whose color doesn't fade away in intensity throughout the year. It is a recipient of the Best New Plant Award in 2008. 
6. Mangave ‘Black Magic’ is a hybrid of Agaves and Manfreda species that has long, medium thick deep green to black leaves that bend outwards to hug a pot they are living in. 
7. Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’ is an ideal hanging-basket plant with muted brown to black leaves and pale pink flowers. 
8. Begonia ‘Enchanted Sunrise’ is a flowering plant that produces deep brown to almost black foliage and a flush of coral flowers. It makes a dazzling hanging basket or a large-pot plant. 
9. Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’ is another foliage, tuberous, frost-tender plant ideal for garden beds or containers. 
10. Ocimum basilicum ‘Purpurascens’is an annual herbaceous plant with deep, intense, shiny, leathery leaves that are so intensely purple that they look black. Flowers are white or pink. 

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are many types of deep purple or maroon to almost black flowering plants, including bromeliads, bulbs, even some succulents. Each one of these groups is unique in its own way and offers a variety of options to express creativity in interior design.

Black velvet flowers are not a common sight in indoor cultivation and convey seriousness and solemnity, but at the same time, they emit beauty in their mysteriousness and darkness. Choose a white pot for them and set them against a neutral backdrop for a powerful effect.