English
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
Русский
Español
简体中文
हिन्दी
日本語
Plants with dark leaves add wonderful interest to your landscape. Succulents boast several specimens with dark foliage including the Blue Barrel Cactus. All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. “Cactus” is a botanical family, while “succulent” refers to a broader group consisting of several botanical families.
While some plants are almost a true black, many are actually dark purple or, less often, dark blue. But regardless of their precise shade, their dark leaves can provide a striking color contrast with plants that have bright leaves (for example, golden foliage). Some of them have attractive flowers, too, but more often people grow them for their foliage.
Most succulents are great low-maintenance alternatives to plants that demand more of your attention. Thanks to their drought-tolerance, they are just the thing for gardeners who do not have enough to be constantly watering plants that can’t get through a dry period on their own. Learn about eight great choices in succulents with dark foliage.
-
01
of 08Black Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Many types of hens and chicks (or “houseleeks”) have dark foliage. The aptly named Sempervivum ‘Black’ is just one of them. Often, the types of hens and chicks plants that qualify as black plants bear their dark color at the tips of the leaves. Plant the chartreuse/golden Angelina stonecrop (Sedum rupestre ‘Angelina’) as a companion plant to create a nice color contrast.
- USDA Zones: 3 to 8
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 6 to 12 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
-
02
of 08Black Zebra Cactus, or “Haworthia” (Haworthiopsis limifolia)
The Haworthias will remind many of Aloe vera plants. Both are treated as houseplants in the North. The raised spots on Haworthiopsis limifolia are bumpy to the touch and stand our visually since they are brighter than the rest of the leaf surface.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Height: 6 to 12 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
-
03
of 08Mexican (or Black Prince) Hens and Chicks (Echeveria ‘Black Prince’)
Sempervivum plants and Echeveria plants are very similar in appearance; in fact, both can have the common name of “hens and chicks.” But Sempervivum usually bear small teeth along their leaf margins, while Echeveria leaf margins are smooth. A more important difference between them is this: Sempervivum is very cold-hardy, while Echeveria is not.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 12
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: Usually about 4 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
-
04
of 08Purple Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’)
This evergreen perennial also boasts good deer resistance. Greenish-black leaves, chartreuse bracts, and red stems all combine to ensure that this plant will add interest to any rock garden.
- USDA Zones: 4 to 9
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Height: 12 to 18 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Continue to 5 of 8 below. -
05
of 08Black Knight Hens and Chicks (Echeveria affinis ‘Black Knight’)
Another strikingly black plant is Echeveria ‘Black Knight.’ It’s especially attractive when it develops new leaves. There’s a contrast between the lighter inner leaves (which is the new growth) of the rosette and the darker outer leaves. As with all succulents, the outer leaves should be removed as they die to prevent them from harboring aphids and other pests.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 6 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
-
06
of 08Black Rose Tree Houseleek (Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’)
Do not confuse “houseleek” with “tree houseleek.” As the “tree” in the common name suggests, the latter is a taller plant (although hardly a tree). If you miss the distinction in the common name, remember that the species name, arboreum, comes from the Latin arboreus, meaning “of a tree.” Take advantage of this plant’s height relative to many other succulents and place it in the center or to the back of any grouping of succulents so that it serves as a focal point.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
- Height: 3 to 4 feet
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
-
07
of 08Chocolate Drop Stonecrop (Sedum ‘Chocolate Drop’)
Chocolate Drop is just one of many cultivars of stonecrop, the best-known cultivar being ‘Autumn Joy.’ But Chocolate Drop has much more interesting foliage than does its better-known relative: a rich burgundy that approaches black at times. Chocolate Drop also sports pink flower clusters that are reasonably attractive. It does tend to flop over, so give it support for the best display value.
- USDA Zones: 4 to 8
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 1 foot
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
-
08
of 08Blue Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus glaucescens)
The Blue Barrel cactus is such a deep blue that some people think of it as a black succulent. Those who seek a more truly black cactus may prefer Echinopsis ancistrophora ‘Arachnacantha.’ Watch out for the thorns if you have kids playing in the yard. Yellow flowers add interest to the foliage.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 1 to 2 feet
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Read the full article here
