Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’

Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’, also known as Black Rose or Black Tree Aeonium, is a striking award-winning succulent valued for its exceptionally dark foliage, architectural form and easy-growing nature. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit and remains one of the most recognisable Aeonium cultivars.

Appearance & Growth Habit

This evergreen succulent shrub develops large rosettes of broad, spoon-shaped leaves carried at the ends of branching stems. In cooler weather or lower light, the foliage may appear deep red to burgundy with greener growth towards the centre, while strong light can intensify the mature leaves to extremely dark burgundy-purple or near-black tones.

Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ develops a naturally branching, tree-like habit over time, making it particularly effective as a feature plant in pots, succulent gardens and mixed landscape plantings. The combination of dark rosettes and exposed branching stems becomes increasingly architectural as the plant matures.

An Important Aeonium Parent

Beyond its value as a garden plant, ‘Zwartkop’ has also played a role in Aeonium hybridisation. American hybridiser Jack Catlin crossed ‘Zwartkop’ with Aeonium canariense, producing seedlings from which the well-known cultivars Aeonium 'Blushing Beauty' and Aeonium 'Velour' were selected. It is an interesting example of how the distinctive characteristics of an established cultivar can contribute to subsequent generations of ornamental Aeoniums.

Flowering

Mature rosettes may produce tall conical clusters of small yellow, star-shaped flowers. Individual Aeonium rosettes are monocarpic, meaning that a rosette dies after flowering; however, on a well-branched specimen the remaining non-flowering rosettes and branches continue growing.

Growing Conditions

‘Zwartkop’ performs best in bright light to full sun, with stronger light generally encouraging its characteristic dark foliage. In very hot Australian conditions, some protection from intense afternoon summer sun can help reduce the risk of leaf scorch.

Grow in a free-draining succulent potting mix and water thoroughly when required, allowing the mix to dry appropriately between waterings. Aeoniums make much of their active vegetative growth during the cooler months and commonly slow considerably during hot, dry summer weather, so watering should be adjusted to the plant's growth and prevailing conditions.

Established plants can tolerate cool conditions, but protection from significant or prolonged frost is advisable, particularly for young plants and container-grown specimens.

Propagation

Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ is readily propagated from stem cuttings. Healthy stems can be allowed to dry and callous before being established in a free-draining mix, providing a straightforward way to produce new plants or propagate selected branches from a mature specimen.

Garden & Container Use

With its dark rosettes and bold upright form, ‘Zwartkop’ makes an excellent architectural feature in terracotta pots, succulent borders, rock gardens and dry-style landscapes. Its near-black foliage provides particularly strong contrast alongside silver, blue-green, yellow and variegated succulents, while its height can add structure behind lower-growing rosette and groundcover varieties.

Awards & Recognition

Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, recognising its ornamental qualities and proven garden performance.

Aeonium 'Zwartkop' plants for sale shown in 70mm pot. You will receive same or similar plants as those shown in images. Colours will vary depending on time of year and growing conditions.