Black Rose Succulent Care: A Comprehensive Guide
Aeonium Black Rose
If you are lucky enough to have a black rose succulent, then you know that they are a special and unique plant. Not only do they look beautiful, but they also require very little care. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to take care of your black rose succulent. We will discuss everything from watering to fertilizing to pests. So if you want to learn more about black rose succulents, keep reading!
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What is a Black Rose Succulent?
The black rose succulent is a beautiful and unique plant that can add a touch of elegance to any space. Aeonium Black Rose is a type of succulent that is characterized by its dark purple almost black rubber leaves which can grow up to 3 feet tall.
These succulents have large, showy terminal rosettes with broad waxy pointed leaves. The plant forms clumps from its base that are made out of mostly gray-brown roots tightly packed together on top; it has an attention-grabbing appearance!
The leaves of these plants change color with the sun, turning a dark almost black hue in its presence and enjoying bright light when it's cold out. They also show off reddish-purple tinting to reflect their love for cooler temperatures.
It is a winter-growing succulent, which means it will enter a dormant period during the summer. The black rose Aeonium will bloom in the summer with cone-shaped inflorescence. The yellow flowers are very small and star-shaped. The black rose succulent is a plant that only blooms once and then they will die. But this doesn't happen every year and not all the rosettes will blossom at the same time so you can be sure that your plant won't die.
History/ Information About the Black Rose Succulent
Scientific name: Aeonium arboreum Zwartkop
Common name: black rose, black Aeonium, black beauty, black tree Aeonium, Black Head
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Canary Islands
Cold Hardiness: 30F
Height: Up to 3 ft
Propagation: by cuttings
Bloom Period: Summer
There is controversy surrounding the origin of the name of this succulent plant. Some agree it is Dutch Zwartkop while others say it is German Schwartzkopf. However, they both mean black head.
It is a winter-growing succulent, which means it will enter a dormant period during the summer.
How to Care for Black Rose Succulents
Every plant has its own growing requirements and the black rose succulent is no exception. In this section, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to take care of your black rose succulent.
If you want to have success with succulents either indoors or outdoors you need to make sure their light and water requirements are met.
Watering Requirements:
The black rose succulent requires very little watering. In fact, you only need to water them when the soil is dry. Be sure not to overwater your succulent as this can lead to root rot. Succulents, in general, don't like wet feet and will rot if they are constantly submerged in water. The black rose succulent is very good at storing water in its leaves and will survive drought conditions. The fact that they don't have the capacity to eliminate extra water fast is why you should not water them when the soil is wet.
If your black rose succulent is planted in a container, make sure there is a drainage hole at the bottom and that you are using well-draining soil. Also, don't leave it in a saucer that can hold water.
Underwatering isn't a good thing either. If the black rose succulent doesn't get enough water, it will start to wilt and the roots will die. So be sure to check the soil regularly and water when needed.
When in doubt, it's always better to underwater than overwater.
Light Requirements:
The black rose succulent needs plenty of light in order to stay healthy. The black rose succulent loves the sun and prefers full sun to partial shade. Black rose succulents need about six hours of direct sunlight for proper growth and to maintain their deep burgundy coloration with black edges on their leaves.
If your black rose succulent is grown outdoors you want to make sure it does not get sunburned. It is best to acclimate it to the sun gradually by placing it in a spot that gets morning sun or filtered light. It still can get sunburned during a heatwave so be sure to keep an eye on it and move it to a shadier spot if necessary.
If you grow your black rose succulent indoors, make sure that it gets a lot of sunlight. They will do best if they are placed in a south- or west-facing window. If you don't have a bright window, you can also place your black rose succulent under grow lights.
Do not keep black rose succulents in low-light conditions as this can lead to poor growth and etiolation (stretching).
Temperature Requirements:
The black rose succulent is a hardy plant and can tolerate temperatures down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they will do best if the temperature stays between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you live in a colder climate, you can overwinter black rose succulents indoors. Be sure to place them in a sunny spot and water sparingly. Black Aeonium does not like freezing temperature and will die if the temperature drops below 30F.
Soil Requirements:
Aeonium Black Rose is quite particular in what type of soil it likes. It prefers well-draining, sandy soil. A fast-draining potting soil mix made specifically for succulents and cactuses is ideal. You can also make your own soil mix by combining two parts non-peat-based potting mix, one part perlite, and one part pumice.
Fertilizer Requirements:
Succulents don't require much fertilizing. In fact, over-fertilizing can be harmful to them. A water-soluble fertilizer diluted down to half strength once a month during the winter to spring before it goes into dormancy is all it needs. Do not feed the Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ when it is dormant which is during the summer months for this unique succulent.
Here is a beautiful black rose succulent in the center surrounded by other types of succulents.
It is also referred to as the black tree Aeonium.
Black Rose Succulent Propagation
The black rose succulent can be propagated from stem cuttings or offsets. Propagating black rose succulents is easy if you follow these steps.
Using a sharp blade or knife that has been sterilized in alcohol to make a cut and remove a cutting from the parent plant. Remove any leaves from the lower part of the stem.
Dip the cut end into rooting hormone.
Let the cutting form a protective callus. This step can take up to 10 days. It works best when it is done outside in a warm but shady spot. When you notice a layer of hard tissue that has formed over the cut, you are ready to plant. The purpose of callusing is to protect the cutting from diseases and insects from entering the bottom of the plant.
Prepare your potting mix.
Choose a container that will allow for the cutting to grow a couple of inches.
Plant the cutting. Make sure to water right away. However, you do not need to water again until the soil begins to dry out.
After a few weeks, the cutting should have established roots and can be transplanted into a larger pot.
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Repotting Black Rose Succulents:
When black rose succulents outgrow their pots, they need to be repotted. You can tell if black Aeonium needs repotting by looking at the roots through the drainage hole of your pot.
To repot an Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ choose a container that is slightly bigger than the diameter of the plant. Remove the plant from its container by grasping the root base and shaking off any excess media. Then, make a hole in the new potting mix that is big enough for the root ball to fit.
Carefully place black Aeonium into the hole and fill around it with more of the new potting media. Gently pack it in and water generously. You can then place black rose succulents in a bright spot and water sparingly until the roots begin to grow.
Black Rose Succulent Pests:
The black rose succulent is susceptible to mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, scale insects, slugs, and snails. These pests like to suck and chew on the leaves. You need to be careful with certain pesticides as they can damage or kill black rose succulents.
Mealybugs are tiny white bugs that suck the sap from black Aeonium causing it to not get enough nutrients which can lead to poor growth, weak stems, and more likely to get diseases. To control mealybugs you should wipe away their cotton coverings with a cotton swab that has some rubbing alcohol on it. It might take several treatments to get rid of these black rose succulent pests.
Aphids are tiny green bugs that infest black rose succulent plants in large numbers. They suck on the sap of black Aeonium which causes stunted growth, distorted leaves, discolored foliage, and wilting. To get rid of aphids, use a forceful stream of water to knock them off the black Aeonium plant. You might have to repeat this several times until all the aphids are gone.
Spider mites feed on the leaves and stems of black rose succulents, causing them to develop yellow spots that will eventually turn brown and leave a permanent mark on the plant. Spider mites hate being wet so hit them with a blast of water but just be careful not to overwater the black Aeonium. It is a delicate balance.
Scale insects are small black or brown bugs that attach themselves to the stems and leaves of black rose succulents. They thrive in low light so look for them on the undersides of plants. The best way to get rid of scale is the same method for mealybugs, use a cotton swab with some rubbing alcohol on black rose succulents to wipe away the scale insects.
Slugs and snails love black Aeonium because of its fleshy leaves. They will chew large holes in your black Aeonium which can kill it if there are too many chewed areas. Slugs and snails can be controlled with bait that contains iron phosphate. It is safe to use and if snails and slugs don't eat it, then it will eventually break down into fertilizer.
Black Rose Succulent Care FAQs
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions to help you with black rose succulent care:
Is the black rose succulent frost tolerant?
The black rose succulent is not frost tolerant. It can not withstand freezing temperatures and will die. If you live in a zone that has very cold winters, you will want to move it inside. It is thought to grow best in USDA hardiness zone 9-11.
Is the black rose succulent an indoor or outdoor plant?
The black rose succulent can be both an outdoor and indoor plant. You just need to make sure that the growing requirements are met based on the type of setting and environment you choose.
Are black rose succulents toxic to pets?
The black rose succulent is not toxic to pets. However, some of the other plants in the Aeonium family are so it's best to keep an eye on your pet just in case.
How do I water my black rose succulent?
You only want to water black rose succulents when the soil has dried out. This means that you should not see any moisture on top of the potting mix or feel dampness when you touch it with your finger.
Why are my black rose succulent leaves falling off?
There are many reasons why black rose succulent leaves might be falling off. It could be a sign of overwatering, underwatering, pests, or diseases. You will need to troubleshoot the issue to determine the cause and fix it.
Why is my Aeonium Black Rose turning green?
The leaves will turn green unless you provide them with enough light or water. Don't worry green leaves are an easy remedy!
Caring for the Aeonium Black Rose
The black rose succulent is a beautiful plant that can be both an outdoor and indoor plant. With the right care, your black Aeonium will flourish in any environment. Just make sure that black rose succulents get plenty of bright light, the correct amount of watering, and well-draining potting soil. Looking for more growing tips? Check out my other posts or subscribe to my blog so you never miss a gardening tutorial.
