In honor of Halloween: houseplants that show off twisty tendrils, scary leaves, and macabre colors that can lend your home a moody ambiance. Here are five favorites that celebrate the dark side.
Featured image above by Geoff McKay via Flickr.
Begonia ‘Hallow’s Eve’
Appropriately named for the season, this rhizomatous begonia sports very dark leaves with some spotting and a festive orange center. It’s also covered with tiny hairs (don’t worry, they’re soft). Tricky to find in stores, this plant needs bright, indirect light and well-draining soil to thrive. You can let this begonia dry out a bit between waterings and it won’t protest. Note: Begonias can be mildly toxic.
Zamioculas zamifolia ‘Raven’
This trending variety of the popular ZZ plant is sought after for its dark, waxy leaves and its low-maintenance nature. Place your Raven in bright indirect light to keep the color vibrant. Luckily, this weird but wonderful plant can withstand a little neglect and forgetful watering. Well-draining soil is key. Parents and pet owners should know that all parts of these plants are poisonous.
Cordyline fruiticosa ‘Black Magic’
With its bold, near-black glossy foliage, this moody plant makes the perfect easy-care addition to your houseplant collection, as long as it’s placed in a brightly lit area. Come spring, you can move your plant outdoors, as it will thrive in a partly sunny spot and grow to 6-feet tall with regular watering. Cordylines have Polynesian origins, where it’s used to ward off evil spirits. This plant is toxic if ingested, so keep away from pets and children.
Peperonia caperata ‘Luna Red’
I love all the rippled varieties of Peperonia, but this one in particular, with its reddish hue, is perfect for Halloween. Crinkled, dark red, heart-shaped leaves resemble a dehydrated body part, and the slim, rat-tail like flower spikes add to the eeriness. Growing only to 8-inches high and wide, this small plant is perfect for ledges and tabletops. Place in bright but indirect light, and because it is native to Brazilian rainforests, add some humidity by placing your pot on a pebble tray filled with water, or put it in a bright bathroom where the shower is used. This plant is non-toxic.
Tacca chantrieri, Black Bat Flower
Not only does this plant have an appropriate name, but it’s also fantastically bizarre. Dark purplish black flowers look resemble bats, albeit ones with long, dangling whiskers. Hailing from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, this unique flower should be placed in bright, indirect light with good air circulation and moderate humidity. To keep it really happy, keep the soil moist and don’t let it dry out. This plant is non-toxic.
See also:
- Black Beauties: 8 Favorite Dark Colored Plants
- The Garden Decoder: What Is ‘Goth Gardening’?
- Spooky and Sustainable: 10 DIY Halloween Decoration Ideas From Our Archives, Plastic-Free Edition
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