Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ (Aeonium Zwartkop) is an award-winning succulent—also known as Black Rose or Black Tree Aeonium—that has earned the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit for its striking colour, architectural form, and exceptional hardiness.
Appearance & Habit
- Evergreen succulent shrub reaching approximately 1.0 m tall × 0.6 m wide, crowned by large glossy rosettes 15–20 cm in diameter.
- Winter or shaded rosettes appear deep red with lime‑green centres; in summer sun, they deepen to near‑black velvet tones.
- Originates from Madeira, the Canary Islands, and North Africa; a cultivar of Aeonium arboreum.
Flowering & Lifecycle
Spring brings bright yellow, star-shaped flowers in large conical clusters above mature rosettes. Post‑bloom, flowering heads die back and are replaced with new branching growth.
Cultivation & Care Tips
- Thrives in full sun to light shade; intense sunlight deepens the colour—just avoid sunburn during heatwaves.
- Prefers well-draining soil (e.g. cactus mix with perlite or pumice).
- Water sparingly: Young plants every 7–10 days; mature plants every 10–14 days. Reduce in winter.
- Frost hardy to light frost—perfect for most Australian climates.
Propagation
- Take a stem cutting (not a leaf) and let it callus for 1–2 days.
- (Optional) Dip in rooting hormone.
- Place into well-draining soil. Keep lightly moist until rooted.
- Gradually reintroduce to sunlight after rooting is established.
Landscaping & Container Use
Perfect as an architectural feature in terracotta pots, succulent borders, dry gardens, or summer bedding schemes. Its bold foliage and branching form create dramatic structure with very little maintenance required.
Awards & Recognition
Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’ proudly holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, recognising it as one of the most outstanding garden succulents available worldwide.
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.
We also have Aeonium 'Zwartkop' cuttings for sale when available. To check them out click the link below...
First time customers... Please read our Shipping Guide, in top or bottom menu, before placing your order.
Please Note:
- All plants are sent bare rooted with no pots and soil, or minimum soil only.
- Due to the drying process necessary for sending plants through the mail, plants may look slightly different than images shown on our website
- Some plants, may look wrinkled when they arrive, may be somewhat limp, or soft to the touch. This is normal as they have been dried out for for a number of days before shipping to avoid rotting in the mail.
- Succulents are very hardy plants and they will recover quickly, providing you unpack them as soon as you receive them follow some simple care instructions you will find with your order.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, please message us via our Facebook page at John & Norma's Succulents for the fastest Response.