If you love the look of dark plants in your garden, why not bring that dramatic flair indoors by growing dark houseplants in your home? While some houseplant parents may prefer brightly colored flowers and plant leaves, plants with richly hued foliage in dark shades of purple, black, and burgundy can add a moody and mysterious feel to home decor that’s totally unique.
Whether you fancy all things gothic or you’re just looking for a houseplant with unusual charm, the plants in the list below were specially curated just for you!
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- 18 dark houseplants to keep for dramatic elegance
- 1. Inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
- 2. Velvet plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
- 3. ‘Raven’ ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- 4. ‘Black Velvet’ alocasia (Alocasia reginula)
- 5. ‘Burgundy Ripple’ peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
- 6. Aeonium ‘Black Rose’ (Aeonium atropurpureum)
- 7. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
- 8. Chinese jade (Sinocrassula yunnanensis)
- 9. Hen and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
- 10. Coleus (Coleus spp.)
- 11. False aralia (Plerandra elegantissima)
- 12. ‘Black Prince’ echeveria (Echeveria affinis)
- 13. ‘Rose Painted’ calathea (Goeppertia roseopicta)
- 14. ‘Black Magic’ taro (Colocasia esculenta)
- 15. ‘Black Cardinal’ philodendron (Philodendron erubescens)
- 16. Rex begonias (Begonia rex-cultorum)
- 17. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)
- 18. Lithops (Lithops localis)
- Summary
18 dark houseplants to keep for dramatic elegance
Dark houseplants look bewitching on their own, but their romantic look can be intensified by keeping a few dark houseplants together in a single collection. Whether you’re a houseplant pro or a beginning plant keeper, the list below includes both tropical plants and drought-tolerant succulents to suit any aesthetic and gardening skill level.
1. Inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
| Houseplant Name: | Inch plant |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Trailing vines |
Easy-going inch plants are prized for their colorful leaves, which are available in both purple and green variations. Both varieties feature leaves with deep purple undersides, which make inchplants a joy to behold from any angle. Plus, when inch plants are backlit by the sun, the plant’s leaves take on a silvery hue, which is truly unique.
Inchplants look their best when they’re grown in hanging baskets, which allow the plant’s cascading stems to show to their fullest. However, you can also keep inch plants in a traditional pot on a windowsill or another location in your home that receives bright, indirect light. Easy to grow and even easier to propagate, inch plants are quick to root in water, and mature plants can grow up to 1” per week!
2. Velvet plant (Gynura aurantiaca)
| Houseplant Name: | Velvet Plant |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Textured leaves; Bright flowers; Trailing vines |
Also known as the purple passion plant, the velvet plant is another excellent choice for anyone who loves dark and dramatic houseplants. While velvet plants are mostly known for their vivid leaves, which feature a deep green base that’s coated in millions of tiny purple hairs, these plants also readily bloom indoors. Velvet plant flowers are small yet colorful, with a golden-orange hue that perfectly complements the plant’s violet leaves.
When caring for velvet plants, be sure to provide your plants with adequate drainage and water only when the top 1 to 2” of soil feels dry. Because of the dense hairs on velvet plant leaves, misting is not recommended, as it can cause the leaves to collect water and droop. Like inch plants, purple passion plants can be grown in pots or hanging baskets, and they do best in bright, indirect sun.
3. ‘Raven’ ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
| Houseplant Name: | Raven ZZ Plant |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light to low light |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Plant Type: | Succulent |
| Special Features: | Easy-care |
Most houseplant parents are familiar with the original version of the ZZ plant, which produces glossy green leaves. However, if you're on the hunt for darker plants, Raven ZZ is the ZZ plant you need to be looking for. This stunning cultivar has the same strong silhouette as other ZZ plants, but Raven ZZ features deep, dark leaves that appear nearly black in most lighting.
An excellent candidate for low-light locations, Raven ZZ, is a no-nonsense plant that doesn't need much sun to thrive. When mature, ZZ plants can stretch up to 4’ in height, but they rarely flower indoors. And, while ZZ plants are categorized as tropical, they are drought resistant, and they should only be watered sparingly to avoid root rot and other issues.
4. ‘Black Velvet’ alocasia (Alocasia reginula)
| Houseplant Name: | Black Velvet Alocasia |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Striking foliage |
‘Black Velvet’ alocasia, also known as the ‘Black Velvet’ elephant ear, is a striking plant with dark and velvety leaves ornamented with highly contrasting, bright white veins. A true show stopper of a plant, ‘Black Velvet’ can hold its own in any plant collection, but it looks particularly appealing when paired with other dark beauties like rubber plants and false aralias. Compared to some other elephant ear plants, ‘Black Velvet’ is a relatively slow grower, and these plants only grow to about 18” in height when mature.
While beginning plant parents can have success growing ‘Black Velvet,’ this plant can be a little bit finicky, so be sure to provide your plant with the proper balance of light and moisture. Like many other tropical plants, ‘Black Velvet’ craves extra humidity, and it will grow best near a humidifier or on top of a pebble tray. ‘Black Velvet’ alocasias can also grow happily in brightly lit bathrooms, but keep in mind that these plants are toxic to pets.
5. ‘Burgundy Ripple’ peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
| Houseplant Name: | Burgundy Ripple Peperomia |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Textured leaves |
Most peperomias are wonderfully low-maintenance plants, and you can find peperomia varieties in various shapes and colors. However, if you’re on the hunt for a dramatic plant, the ‘Burgundy Ripple’ is a hauntingly beautiful houseplant that’s sure to fit into any indoor plant collection. ‘Burgundy Ripple’ is mostly known for its heart-shaped leaves, which are textured with tiny ripples and display a deep red or dark green coloration.
An excellent plant for beginners and experts alike, ‘Burgundy Ripple’ grows to about 8” in height, and it requires minimal maintenance. Just give your plant a touch of water weekly and keep it in indirect sunlight, as full sun can damage the plant’s richly colored leaves. Mature plants can sometimes send up slender flower spikes, which usually appear in spring or summer.
6. Aeonium ‘Black Rose’ (Aeonium atropurpureum)
| Houseplant Name: | Aeonium Black Rose |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Plant Type: | Succulent |
| Special Features: | Low watering needs |
A member of the succulent family, ‘Black Rose’ is a no-nonsense plant that has all the dramatic color you could want but in an ultra-low maintenance package. There’s no doubt that plant lovers will find much to adore in the deep purple to near black leaves and clustered, star-shaped, yellow flowers of 'Black Rose' aeoniums. But these plants are also super hardy with minimal watering needs and an easygoing and adaptable nature.
Interestingly, ‘Black Rose’ aeoniums are monocarps, which means the plant blooms just once before dying away – but the flowers are spectacular as long as they last! Like other succulents, ‘Black Rose’ grows best in warm temperatures and lots of sun, although these plants can handle dappled light too. For best results, succulents like ‘Black Rose’ aeoniums should be planted in sandy and well-draining soil, and though they should be watered infrequently all year round, they’ll need even less water during their winter dormancy period.
7. Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)
| Houseplant Name: | Rubber Plant |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Striking foliage |
Native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia, the rubber plant is a relatively common indoor specimen, although that doesn't make it any less spectacular! Named for its latex sap, which was once used to create a natural rubber product, rubber trees can also purify indoor air and provide shade to small, sun-sensitive houseplants. But while rubber trees are certainly functional, these plants are mostly known for their glossy, dark green leaves… although you can also find rubber trees with variegated foliage too.
While mature rubber tree leaves are captivating on their own, new rubber tree leaves are often covered in bright red leaf sheaths, which add even more color to houseplant collections. Although rubber trees may look like the tropics, these plants are surprisingly easy to keep, and they can tolerate a range of conditions, including medium to bright, indirect light. In the wild, rubber trees can grow up to 100’ tall, although they generally stay under 10’ in height when kept in pots.
8. Chinese jade (Sinocrassula yunnanensis)
| Houseplant Name: | Chinese Jade Plant |
| Light Requirements: | Bright to bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Plant Type: | Succulent |
| Special Features: | Low watering needs |
The Chinese Jade succulent is an exceptionally hardy and drought-resistant little plant from Asia. These plants grow in small, tight clusters, and their pointed and fleshy leaves feature a unique grayish-green coloration that’s sure to stand out on houseplant shelves. If left in direct sunlight, Chinese jades can turn nearly black in color, but their leaves will take on a lighter hue in lower light.
Like other jade plants, Chinese jades are mostly kept for their fleshy leaves, but these plants can also yield small, white flowers adorned with contrasting red sepals. Flowering is more common on plants kept in bright light, and these plants usually flower in late summer to early autumn. As with aeoniums and other succulent species, Chinese jades should be watered sparingly, and the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings to prevent issues like root rot.
9. Hen and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
| Houseplant Name: | Hen and Chicks |
| Light Requirements: | Bright light |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Plant Type: | Succulent |
| Special Features: | Low watering needs |
Another succulent variety, hen and chick plants, are often grown outdoors in rock gardens, but they look right at home in houseplant collections too. There are many types of hen and chicks, and plants can come in different colors; however, if you’re looking for a plant with dark leaves, ‘Emerald Empress’ is a particularly alluring variety. This hen and chick cultivar features a rosette of deep burgundy leaves with green accents, which will add a nice pop of color when grown beside dark alocasias and other tropical plants with broad flat leaves.
Hen and chicks prefer well-draining soil, and they should be kept in pots with plenty of drainage holes to prevent root rot. Beyond that, these hardy plants also grow best in warm and sunny locations, and they can get leggy in lower-light areas. Interestingly, the ancient Romans believed hen and chicks protected their homes from lightning strikes, which may not have a scientific basis, but it’s a fun fact anyway!
10. Coleus (Coleus spp.)
| Houseplant Name: | Coleus |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Colorful foliage |
Also known as “painted nettles,” coleus plants are prized for their vibrant leaves, which come in an assortment of colors, including a deep burgundy hue, as well as rich shades of red and purple. Coleus plants are typically grown outdoors, and they’re common sights in autumn container gardens and porch planters, where their vibrant leaves add lots of interesting color. But with a bit of extra attention, coleus plants can also be kept as charming houseplants.
Coleus plants need to be kept in a bright space with plenty of light if you want to support their leafy growth and encourage the plant to produce more vibrant colors. In general, coleus should be watered once or twice per week to keep the soil moist but never soggy. Outdoors, coleus plants are quite low maintenance, but indoor plants crave a bit of added humidity, so keep your plants near a humidifier or on a pebble tray to prevent crispy leaves.
11. False aralia (Plerandra elegantissima)
| Houseplant Name: | False Aralia |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Textured leaves; Vertical interest |
A top foliage plant to try if you want to add height and vertical interest to your collection, the false aralia plant features slender, serrated leaves and a deep, dark leaf color. These plants can be grown on their own in pots, and they can stretch up to 6’ tall indoors when mature. However, you can also try false aralias in mixed plant arrangements, along with plants like velvet plants and crotons, for even more nuance and color!
To get the most out of your false aralia plants, pot up your plants in rich, well-draining soil and keep your plants in bright, indirect light to ward against leaf scorch. While these plants can get quite tall, they are relatively slow growers, and they won’t need to be repotted all that often. Just be sure to water your aralia plants regularly, as overly dry soil can cause these plants to drop their lower leaves.
12. ‘Black Prince’ echeveria (Echeveria affinis)
| Houseplant Name: | Black Prince Echeveria |
| Light Requirements: | Bright light |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Plant Type: | Succulent |
| Special Features: | Low watering needs |
Another easy-to-grow succulent for gardeners of all levels, ‘Black Prince’ echeveria features highly saturated green and deep burgundy leaves, which become darker in tone when the plant is kept in direct sunlight. In winter, this pint-sized plant produces clusters of gorgeous red flowers that appear atop a slender flower stem. Like many other echeveria varieties, ‘Black Prince’ leaves are covered in a waxy coating that helps lock in moisture and preserves the plant even in times of drought.
Growing best in bright light and well-draining soil, ‘Black Prince’ plants should only be watered once when the soil is fully dry to the touch. When mature, these plants stand about 6” tall, but they tend to grow horizontally, and a single plant can produce multiple babies or pups, which can be separated from the parent plant or allowed to grow right where they are. As with other succulents, low light can cause ‘Black Prince’ echeveria to grow leggy, so make sure you keep your plants in a sunny window or under a bright grow light.
13. ‘Rose Painted’ calathea (Goeppertia roseopicta)
| Houseplant Name: | Rose Painted Calathea |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | High to moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Colorful foliage |
Calatheas are some of the most popular foliage plants you can find, but if you adore dark plants, ‘Rose Painted’ calathea may be the cultivar for you. These tropical plants are known for their highly patterned, rounded leaves, which come in both green and darker colorations. Dark varieties typically feature brilliant purple or pink streaking on the leaf’s surfaces, which is quite distinct and always thrilling.
As houseplant parents know, calathea can sometimes be tricky to care for, but this is mostly due to watering issues. Like other tropicals, calatheas require consistent moisture, but soggy soil can rot their roots and cause other issues. To keep your calathea happy, only water your plants when the top 1” of soil feels dry to the touch, and consider keeping your plant near a humidifier to boost ambient humidity levels.
14. ‘Black Magic’ taro (Colocasia esculenta)
| Houseplant Name: | Black Magic Taro |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Dark, dramatic foliage |
'Black Magic' taro has a dramatic look with thick and lush leaves in a dark eggplant color and brilliant, burgundy-toned stems. This plant’s colorful heart-shaped leaves can stretch up to 3’ in length, while the entire plant can grow between 3 to 6’ in height. In warm areas, ‘Black Magic’ taro plants can be grown outdoors as ornamentals; however, these plants aren’t cold hardy, and they are typically grown as houseplants in cooler spots.
Native to tropical areas of Southeast Asia, taro plants should be watered regularly, and they will need to be provided with extra humidity to keep their leaves from developing dried edges. Indoors or out, ‘Black Magic’ grows best in dappled light; however, if your home is very well-lit, you can shelter this plant from too much bright sun by adding a sheer curtain to your window. While there’s no doubt that ‘Black Magic’ will enchant you with its vivid leaves, this plant is toxic, so it may not be a good choice for homes with pets and small children.
15. ‘Black Cardinal’ philodendron (Philodendron erubescens)
| Houseplant Name: | Black Cardinal Philodendron |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Colorful foliage |
A relatively rare variety of philodendron, ‘Black Cardinal’ can be hard to find at local plant nurseries, but you can often track these plants down online. With broad and glossy leaves, ‘Black Cardinal’ slightly resembles a miniature rubber plant, although these plants only grow to about 3’ in height. When ‘Black Cardinal’ leaves first unfurl, they exhibit an intriguing red or burgundy hue, while mature leaves take on a deeper green, near black, coloration.
Well-suited for bright and indirect light, ‘Black Cardinal’ plants can be sensitive to full sun, which can cause their delicate leaves to turn yellow. Aside from light requirements, ‘Black Cardinal’ also craves extra humidity, and plants need to be watered regularly too. However, as ‘Black Cardinal’ plants can be prone to root rot, it’s best to wait until the top 1 to 2” of soil feels dry to the touch to bring out your watering can.
16. Rex begonias (Begonia rex-cultorum)
| Houseplant Name: | Rex Begonia |
| Light Requirements: | Bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Colorful, textured leaves |
Begonias are popular plants to grow both indoors and out, and Rex begonias, in particular, are particularly coveted. Known for their colorful and patterned leaves, these stunning plants can be found in almost every color you can imagine, including green, red, and pink. But if you love plants with dramatically dark foliage, look for rex begonias with leaves in shades of deep burgundy or purple.
Like most begonia species, rex begonia is relatively easy to keep, although they will grow better indoors with a bit of extra humidity. Bright and indirect sunlight is ideal for these plants, while direct sunlight can damage their dainty leaves. Since begonia leaves sport tiny hairs, keep the leaves as dry as possible and provide extra humidity to your plants with either a pebble tray or humidifier.
17. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas)
| Houseplant Name: | Sweet Potato Vine |
| Light Requirements: | Bright to bright, indirect light |
| Water Requirements: | High to moderate |
| Plant Type: | Tropical |
| Special Features: | Trailing vines; Easy to propagate |
Sweet potato vines are often grown outdoors in container gardens where their trailing vines act as spiller elements in mixed arrangements. But these plants can also grow beautifully indoors, and they work particularly well in hanging baskets, although you can also grow sweet potato plants in a tabletop pot with a trellis. Sweet potato vines are available in both bright green and dark purple varieties, and both feature heart-shaped leaves and fast-growing stems that can stretch over 6’ in length.
Preferring bright, indirect sunlight and well-draining yet moist soil, sweet potato vines can be allowed to grow wild, or you can prune them often for a more well-kempt look. But don’t throw out any cuttings you take from your plants, as sweet potato vines can be easily propagated in water. When provided with enough light, these plants can also produce purple, trumpet-shaped flowers, which typically appear in spring to summer.
18. Lithops (Lithops localis)
| Houseplant Name: | Lithops |
| Light Requirements: | Bright light |
| Water Requirements: | Low |
| Plant Type: | Succulent |
| Special Features: | Low watering needs |
Also known as living stones, lithops are one of the most curious-looking plants you can find, and they’re must-haves if you love oddball plants with lots of unique flair. These plants come in an assortment of colors, including shades of tan and brown, and some varieties are darker than others, so don’t be afraid to shop around to find dark-hued lithops if you like that look. When provided with the proper growing conditions, lithops will also sometimes flower bright yellow blooms, which emerge from the split between the plant’s two succulent leaves.
Native to the semi-arid regions of South Africa, lithops are ultra-hardy plants that can get by with infrequent watering and minimal fertilizer. Since they’re adept at water storage, lithops can be prone to rot, so be sure to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings and water your plants even less during the winter months. Aside from their curious beauty, lithops are some of the smallest houseplants you can find, which makes them exceptional choices for apartment dwellers and anyone else with limited space for houseplants.
Summary
Dark houseplants may not be for everyone, but if you love unusual plants with a dramatic look, these moody plants are some of the best statement plants you can find! Since they’re less common, dark houseplants can be a bit harder to track down, but you can usually find them online or at boutique plant shops.
Gothic-looking plants can be as easy to maintain as other houseplant species, although finding a proper balance of lighting can be particularly important for plants with dark leaves. Windowsills that receive bright, indirect light tend to work best for most dark plants, while full sun may scorch the leaves of more delicate species. And don’t forget to add a humidifier or a pebble tray to humidity-loving species to keep their leaves looking crisp and beautiful!
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