These black plants that you can grow in water combine striking leaves with crystalline roots for beautiful indoor displays!
If your indoor garden is starting to look a little too green, it might be time to try something different. These black plants bring rich tones that pair beautifully with clear glass vases, where both foliage and roots become part of the display. Here are some of the best black plants you can grow in water.
Black plants you can grow in water
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Note: Although not completely black, these plants have beautiful dark foliage that often appears almost black indoors, making them ideal for dramatic water displays.
1. Black Velvet Alocasia
Botanical name: Alocasia reginula
Velvet leaves just steal the spotlight, and it’s growing Alocasia in demi-waters The culture also allows you to admire its fascinating root system. It is one of the “jewelry allotments”, prized for its compact size and embossed foliage rather than giant leaves.
One more thing to remember is that this plant dislikes frequent changes in location. So once you find a bright spot with indirect light, it’s happiest when you leave it undisturbed.
Pro tip: These LECA clay pebble they are ideal for root support while improving air flow in a semi-water culture.
2. Rubber factory
Botanical name: Ficus elastica ‘Black Prince’
One of the nicest things about it rubber factory watching a new leaf unfold. Before opening, each leaf remains wrapped in a reddish pouch called stipulewhich naturally dries up and falls off as soon as the leaf swells.
When taking cuttings, be sure to rinse off the milky sap and allow the cut end to dry for 15-20 minutes before placing in water.
Attention: The juice can irritate sensitive skin, so it is worn gardening gloves it’s always a good idea. Try using these sharp ones bypass pruning shears to make cleaner cuts and encourage successful rooting.
3. Raven ZZ Plant
Botanical name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’
Don’t be fooled if your new Raven ZZ leaves look bright green at first. this is exactly how they should look. Over the next few weeks, they will slowly delve into glossy black shade the plant is famous for.
Now, water propagation requires a little patience because first the plant develops underground rhizomes before producing noticeable roots. So if it takes more than 3-4 weeks for roots to appear, don’t worry!
Pro tip: Continue to change the water every week. Fresh water helps keep growing roots healthy during the long rooting process. And a minute glass propagation tube makes it easier to monitor root growth over time.
4. Philodendron Black Cardinal
Botanical name: Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’
One of the most interesting things the black cardinal it’s how its leaves change as they mature. Fresh growth often emerges in shades of bronze or burgundy before slowly deepening into rich, almost black foliage the plant is known for.
Black Cardinal is also self-seeding, so it grows in a neat, upright clump rather than sending out long vines.
Here are some hanging glass planter options to use to display changing leaf colors while keeping cuttings upright.
5. Coleus Black Dragon
Botanical name: Coleus scutellarioides ‘Black Dragon’
Coleus is one of those plants that is hard to keep you waiting. Fresh cuttings take root quickly in the water, but the real secret to keeping it lush isn’t watering. removes flower spikes.
Their sting encourages the plant to continue producing them dramatically ruffled leaves instead of transferring the energy to seed formation. Or just use precision garden clippings to make it easier to remove the flowers without damaging the stems.
Pro tip: Cooler nights, combined with plenty of bright light during the day, encourage the foliage to develop deeper burgundy and almost black tones that we want!
6. Black Pepperl Peperomia
Botanical name: Peperomia ‘Black Pearl’
With a lovely compact size, black pearl peperomia is a beautiful plant with lush and glossy black foliage. These thick leaves naturally store moisture, so this peperomia handles the occasional watering that is lacking better than many leafy houseplants.
When growing in water, keep only the stem submerged to avoid leaf rot. Also, a small jar works better than a large size as it helps keep stems upright and creates a cleaner display.
You can go with these fluted glass tabletop vase options, which seem just the right size for solid fates.
Seeing the white roots slowly spread under the black leaves is a combination that is hard to ignore. Just give them fresh water and the right amount of light and you’ll have a bold and attractive indoor display.
