Nature is filled with vivid colors and happy blossoms, so it’s easy to understand why many are fascinated with regal, mysterious, and even sinister-looking black flowers.
Whether it’s a hauntingly beautiful black dahlia or an enchanting black lily, these rare flowers carry a sense of elegance and mystery that can make any garden and home look extra luxurious.
In this article, we’ll dive into the different types of black flowers, their symbolism and meaning, and the best way to gift them.
Are there naturally black flowers?
Unfortunately, there are no truly black flowers in nature. Most of the flowers that people call “black flowers” actually have extremely dark shades of purple and maroon.
They may look similar to black, but you’ll still see a slight maroon or purple hue in them.
The pigments responsible for creating colors in flowers absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. To achieve a true black color, a pigment would need to absorb all wavelengths of light without reflecting any back, which can harm the plant.
As such, no flower or plant has produced a true black color.
What do black flowers symbolize?
Black flowers typically symbolize death, mourning, hatred, sadness, and revenge. This is because black is often associated with dark and sinister things.
However, recently, these flowers have also started being associated with more positive meanings like power, strength, and ambition.
18 Types of Black Flowers
Most black flowers are specially cultivated and don’t naturally grow like most brightly colored flowers, so they are extremely rare. Coming across one in a flower shop may not be easy, but they’re worth every effort and time you put into searching for them.
Here are 18 different types of black flowers you can give to people close to your heart.
Black Tulip ‘Queen of Night’
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Tulipa
Size: 20 to 24 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Spring
The ‘Queen of Night’ tulip is among the most popular varieties of tulips because of its dramatic petal color. Its velvety, almost black, burgundy petals create a striking contrast against the green foliage in gardens.
They also stand out when paired with other brightly colored flowers, creating a unique and dramatic flower arrangement.
The cup-shaped flower head also adds to its unique charm since a lot of flowers are star-shaped and dome-shaped.
If you’re thinking of buying them for a gift, wait for spring to come, as they only grow during that season.
Recommended use: Black tulips are often associated with strength, so a bouquet of the Queen of Night can be a great birthday gift for your child. It can show your hope for them to gain strength and even your affection since tulips also symbolize deep love.
Black Dahlia ‘Arabian Night’
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Dahlia
Size: 36 to 48 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennials
Bloom Time: Mid-summer to fall
The Dahlia genus has quite a wide variety of black flowers to choose from. Among these flowers, the Arabian Night is one of the most well-known.
These dahlias are typically spherical, and their rich crimson velvety petals can look almost black in certain lighting conditions. They can be mistaken for Black Embers because of their similarities, but Arabian Night dahlias are usually smaller.
Arabian Nights are great cut flowers that can make any bouquet and floral arrangement look sultry and mysterious. They bloom from mid-summer to fall, so there’s plenty of time to get your hands on these beautiful black flowers.
Black dahlias have a very negative connotation because of their association with the murder of Elizabeth Short. They’re often a symbol of death, betrayal, and sorrow, so don’t gift them lightly.
Recommended use: Due to the flower’s negative symbolism, you should only give them to people who are big fans of dahlias to avoid offending someone.
Alcea Rosea ‘Blacknight’ (Hollyhocks)
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Alcea – Hollyhock
Size: 5 to 6 feet tall
Life Cycle: Perennials
Bloom Time: Summer
Blacknight hollyhocks are attention-grabbing black flowers with their tall and thin stalks covered in deep raisin-colored flower heads.
Their stalks can usually grow up to a mature height of six feet, so they’re perfect for gardens. However, they’d also look good in vases together with other brightly-colored hollyhocks.
Recommended use: Hollyhocks symbolize ambition, so they’d make great gifts for friends who just graduated from university or high school to show your support for their dreams.
Petunia ‘Crazytunia Black Mamba’
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Petunia
Size: 14 to 16 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Spring to summer
Crazytunia Black Mambas are among the most majestic-looking black flowers you’ll find right now. They sport some of the blackest petals, which make their funnel-shaped single-bloom flower head look more beautiful.
The petals are velvety with white lines at the center that creates a contrast to the flower’s dark appearance. Some may appear with a hint of burgundy, while some may look dark purple when hit by sunlight.
Petunia flowers are often associated with anger and resentment. Despite some newer positive meanings associated with petunias, the black color of the Black Mamba may only reinforce the flower’s negative symbolism.
Recommended use: Gift them to someone who loves petunias or other unique flowers. The flower’s negative symbolism may offend the recipient, so write a note when giving it.
Rosa ‘Black Baccara’
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rosa hybrid
Size: 5 to 6 feet tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Spring to fall
Black Baccara roses are probably the most popular and sought-after type of black flower. These roses have extremely dark burgundy petals with a velvety texture.
They were cultivated by Jacques Mouchotte in France and have been among the most popular varieties of roses in the world since 2000.
Although other roses have a sweet aroma, Black Baccara has little to no fragrance, so if you’re looking for a fragrant flower, this may not be the best choice.
While roses are often used to symbolize true love, Baccara’s black color keeps the flower from expressing such symbolism. Instead, they’re used to symbolize death.
Recommended use: Instead of gifting them to your lover like what you do with most roses, you can give them to a friend who recently broke up with their lover to express sympathy.
Viola Cornuta ‘Molly Sanderson’
Family: Violaceae
Genus: Viola
Size: 6 inches tall
Life Cycle: Annual/ tender perennial
Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
Molly Sanderson flowers are a cultivar of the Viola genus that sport almost jet-black petals with a golden eye at the center.
They bloom during spring and can last up to early summer. Growing only to a mature size of 6 inches tall, these flowers are perfect for containers and flower arrangements.
Although violas typically symbolize positive meanings like faithfulness, innocence, modesty, and lasting love, the same is not true for black violas like Molly Sanderson. They are used to symbolize the pain of a hopeless love.
Recommended use: You can give a bouquet of Molly Sanderson to a person you’re in love with if you want them to know your feelings regardless of what their answer to your confession might be.
Black Calla Lily ‘Odessa’
Family: Araceae
Genus: Zantedeschia – Calla Lily
Size: 20 to 24 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Summer to fall
Odessa’s trumpet-shaped spathes have a dark, almost black, eggplant hue that distinguishes them from other calla lilies. This spathe is surrounded by arrow-shaped green leaves that complement its dark appearance.
Odessa flowers are excellent cut flowers that would look great in a bouquet with other white calla lilies. They can make a white bouquet look extra enticing with their mysterious and elegant appearance.
Recommended use: Black calla lilies, like Odessa, symbolize beauty, elegance, and mystery, so a bouquet of them would make a great gift for someone you find beautiful, like your wife or girlfriend.
Chocolate Cosmos ‘Black Magic’
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Cosmos
Size: 2 feet tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer, late summer to early fall
Black Magic is a cultivar of the Cosmos atrosanguineus or Chocolate cosmos that has dark, velvety crimson-colored petals. It typically has a wide-open cup-shaped flower head that grows atop tall, slender stems.
Aside from its beautiful dark appearance, another charm of Black Magic flowers is their scent. They have a sweet dark chocolate-like aroma that can make anyone crave sweets.
Unlike most black flowers that have negative symbolism, Chocolate cosmos, like Black Magic, symbolizes intense love and bond.
Recommended use: They make great gifts for your lover who has been with you for a long time. It’s also highly suggested to grab a box of chocolate to go with the flowers.
Black Iris ‘Before the Storm’
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Size: 3 to 4 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennials
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Irises are already unique because of their flower shape, but Before the Storm’s deep wine-colored petals just make them even more unique.
The bloom is composed of three upright petals and three drooping petals that create a very visually striking and dramatic flower head. It also has green, sword-like leaves that put emphasis on the unique bloom.
Another charm of this flower is its symbolism. Before the Storm and other black irises are often used to symbolize elegance, prestige, and pride, which are very fitting to the flower’s sophisticated appearance.
Recommended use: You can give them to a friend who recently got a promotion in their job with a note explaining the flower’s meaning.
Hyacinth ‘Dark Dimension’
Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Hyacinthus
Size: 8 to 12 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
Dark Dimension, just like any other hyacinth, has a very strong fragrance that makes it one of the best black flowers out there. It has an aroma similar to that of lavender, just a bit sweeter.
Its flowers bloom in clusters on a single stalk and have a dark purple hue that can sometimes look almost black. They’re also bell-shaped with thin, long petals.
After being cut, they can last for seven to 11 days, so they’d be great to use for bouquets or other flower arrangements.
Hyacinths are known to symbolize sorrow, so Dark Dimensions would be great funeral and sympathy flowers. They’re also sometimes used to symbolize a love that continues until death.
Recommended use: Send them as funeral flowers or sympathy flowers to any of your friends or relatives who recently lost a loved one. You can also bring them to your family member’s grave to express your love for them.
However, remember to consider the cultural and personal beliefs of the deceased and the bereaved before sending one.
Columbine ‘Black Barlow’
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aquilegia
Size: 28 to 30 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Early to late summer
Black Barlow is a striking perennial plant that can grab anyone’s attention. It has a double-bloom flower head that sports spiky, extremely dark purple petals dropping from its long, thin stem.
This exquisite flower leaves a bittersweet feeling to anyone who receives them because of their drooping and dark flower head. However, despite the bittersweet feeling often associated with the flower, many still search for it because of its beauty.
Recommended use: Columbine flowers symbolize fortitude, so Black Barlow would be a great gift for someone who is about to go on a new adventure or journey to give them courage and power.
Nemophila Menziesii ‘Penny Black’
Family: Boraginaceae
Genus: Nemophila
Size: Up to 4 inches tall
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Time: Early summer
When you think of Nemophila menziesii or Menzies’ Baby Blue Eyes, you often think of brightly colored small flowers, but the Penny Black variety of the flower is far from that. They have rich dark mulberry to purple colored petals that are bordered with white.
These five-petal, bowl-shaped flowers are great for hanging pots and can give your terrace or porch more personality. They can be excellent centerpieces for dining and coffee tables.
Nemophilas means “success everywhere,” so giving them to someone is like wishing for their success in whatever field they engage in.
Recommended use: A basket Penny Black flowers is an excellent gift choice for someone who just graduated or recently started a job.
Lilium Asiatica ‘Black Charm’
Family: Liliaceae
Genus: Lilium
Size: 30 to 36 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Black Charm is a star-shaped flower with deep mahogany petals that are so dark, they’re almost black. It has an orange stamen that complements the flower’s dark petals and a green, strong stem.
It’s a sought-after variety of Asiatic lily because of its mysterious and sophisticated look. It’s quite rare, so when you finally find it, don’t miss the chance of getting one.
Unlike other black flowers that have a velvety and matte texture, Black Charm has glossy, satin-like petals that give it a shiny effect when sunlight hits it.
Recommended use: Lily flowers can be used to symbolize love and passion, so a bouquet of Black Charm can be a great anniversary gift for your lover to express your affection. The flower’s slight red touch can make this symbolism more evident.
Moulin Rouge Sunflower
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Helianthus
Size: 5 to 7 feet tall
Life Cycle: Annual
Bloom Time: Summer
Sunflowers are already eye-catching with their huge blooms and bright yellow petals. But if you’re looking for a more eye-catching flower, then a black sunflower will surely take the cake.
Moulin Rouge is a variant of sunflowers whose petals have dark blood-red edges and an almost black center. Its bloom can be as wide as six inches, so you’ll see it even from afar.
This flower will be a great central flower for bouquets and flower arrangements. It can create a great contrast when paired with other smaller bright-colored flowers.
Recommended use: Sunflowers symbolize loyalty, so a Moulin Rouge would make a great birthday gift for your best friend. You can also give them to your spouse to express your faithfulness and love.
Helleborus ‘Onyx Odyssey’
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Helleborus
Size: 12 to 15 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennials
Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
Onyx Odyssey flowers, also called Winter Jewels or hellebores, feature a double-bloom, cup-shaped flower head with almost black, midnight purple petals. It also has cream-colored stamens that accentuate the petals’ dark hue.
The flower’s color doesn’t fade over time, so many homeowners and interior designers highly recommend using them as ornaments for homes. It’s also low maintenance, so it’s a great indoor plant to grow.
Aside from growing, they also make great cutting flowers because of their wide blooms. The flower head can grow to a mature size of three to four inches in diameter, so they’d make great central flowers for arrangements.
Hellebores were used as a poison in the past, which caused many to believe that they symbolize scandal. However, over the years, the plant has gained more positive symbolism like hope and peace.
Recommended use: A basket of Onyx Odyssey can be a great Easter gift for your relatives. Just slide in a note that explains your hopes that they can triumph over any setbacks life will bring to make the symbolism easier to understand.
Primula ‘Silver Lace Black’
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Primula
Size: 6 to 8 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennials
Bloom Time: Late winter to mid spring
Silver Lace Black is a variety of primroses that look like they come straight out of a cartoon movie. They have that old-fashioned look that movies always portray flowers with.
Its small, cup-shaped flower head is decorated with almost black, dark maroon petals that are outlined by a silver lacing. It also has a yellow center that perfectly contrasts the almost black petals.
Their scent is also not that strong, so they’re perfect for people sensitive to smell. Their attractive appearance also makes them perfect for floral arrangements like dinner table centerpieces.
Recommended use: Primroses symbolize young love, so Silver Lace Black is an excellent Valentine’s Day gift for young couples.
Geranium ‘Mourning Widow’
Family: Geraniaceae
Genus: Geranium
Size: 24 inches tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
The Mourning Widow, also called Black Widow and Dusky Crane’s-Bill, is a round-shaped flower with dark violet, almost black, petals.
A single stem of the flower usually carries a cluster of small flower heads, so they’re a bit smaller than other geraniums.
Its protruding carpel and stamen make this flower even more eye-catching. Its center is also sometimes a lot lighter than the petals, which accentuate the stamen and carpel.
Geranium flowers are often associated with positive symbolism like happiness, good health, and friendship. Hence, Mourning Widows can be used to convey feelings despite their dark and almost black color.
Recommended use: Bring a basket of Mourning Widows to a friend who recently got out of the hospital to wish them good health.
Don’t forget to write a note explaining the flower’s meaning, as they may not be familiar with the symbolism of geranium and take the black color negatively.
Aeonium Arboreum ‘Zwartkop’
Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Aeonium arboreum
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall
Life Cycle: Perennial
Bloom Time: Summer
Zwartkop is a succulent variety of Aeonium arboreum that’s known for its extremely dark appearance.
The plant grows in a rosette form with dark barn-red leaves in a tall, thick, stalk-like stem. Its center sometimes has a hint of green, which is like most Aeonium arboreums.
It can grow to a mature height of four feet tall and a diameter of eight inches. It’s a striking plant that can add a unique charm to a garden or room.
Recommended use: Zwartkop is a good gift choice for a housewarming party, as succulents are believed to attract positive energy into the house in feng shui.
