Name: Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf'
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: A611-schwar
Rating: 5.0 (3 reviews)

Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf'

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Most of our plants are shipped bare-root. Please note that the plant you receive may not be an exact likeness of the images shown.

Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf', also known as Black Rose or Black Beauty, is a striking succulent prized for its dark, almost black, rosettes. The leaves are glossy, forming tight spirals as they grow, creating a dramatic and captivating appearance.

This drought-tolerant plant requires bright sunlight and well-draining soil, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor cultivation in mild climates. 'Schwarzkopf' adds a bold touch to succulent arrangements, gardens, or containers, making it a first-choice plant.

We often feature this plant in our RHS display gardens due to its ability to create a great contrast of colour to nearby succulents.

Also named Aeonium ‘Zwartkop’.

Also known as:

Aeonium 'Zwartkop'
Black Rose
Black Beauty
Purple Aeonium

Where it thrives

Sunlight Full Sun 5+ hrs of sun

Recommended location Balcony

Recommended location Patio

Recommended location Conservatory

Recommended location Rockery

Plant characteristics

Growability Intermediate

Growth form Branching

Growth rate Moderate

Minimum temperature -2°C

Mature size, height and width 120 cm x 100 cm

Foliage colour Black, Red, and Green

On Arrival

Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' is delivered bare-root, so it will need time to establish after planting. Carefully unpack the plant, remove any remaining packaging and check it has arrived in good health.

Plant Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' in fresh, free-draining compost, spreading the roots naturally rather than folding them tightly. For the best start, bury a suitable section of healthy bare stem to anchor a top-heavy plant securely and encourage stronger rooting. Aeoniums tolerate having part of the bare stem buried, but keep every leaf and rosette above the compost surface. Tap the pot lightly on the potting bench several times to settle the compost, but do not compress it heavily.

Wait five to seven days before watering. This allows any small root injuries from lifting and transport to dry, reducing the risk of rot. After this settling period, water lightly until the plant has established, then move to the full 3 D's method.

Keep Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' in a bright, sheltered position while it establishes. Avoid intense midday sunshine for the first week, then gradually introduce it to its recommended light conditions. Some lower-leaf loss or temporary softness is normal while new roots develop.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Give Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' a thorough soak, letting excess water drain freely from the pot, then wait until the compost has dried before watering again. Remember our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry.

Aeoniums do their main growing in the milder parts of the year, chiefly spring and autumn. Growth slows right down through the coldest UK winter weather and pauses again in high summer heat, so Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' takes up most water during spring and autumn, when a large, leafy specimen drinks plenty. Check the compost regularly and water by its condition rather than to a set schedule.

Keep the plant much drier during hot summer dormancy and cold winter weather. It is always best to water in the mornings so any excess can drain and evaporate before nightfall.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions may include Balcony, Patio, Conservatory, and Rockery. Good, strong natural light keeps the branching even and the rosettes full and compact, and helps the stems thicken into a sturdy, self-supporting framework.

Avoid dark rooms or positions far from a window, which cause weak, drawn stems that struggle to hold the heavy heads. Introduce stronger sunshine gradually after winter or delivery, and give temporary shade during intense heatwaves if the leaves begin to scorch.

Compost and drainage

Plant Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' in a free-draining mixture of roughly 60% multi-purpose compost and 40% horticultural grit or perlite, our recommended blend for Aeoniums. Always use a pot with drainage holes.

Large branching Aeoniums become genuinely top-heavy as they mature, so choose a stable, well-weighted pot that gives the roots room to develop, but avoid going too large, as excess compost stays wet for longer and takes much longer to dry out.

A terracotta pot is preferred: the extra weight adds stability against the tall, spreading crown, while the porous walls aerate the compost and aid root development.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should feed Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' for its first three to six months of growth. After that, apply a balanced liquid feed at half strength roughly once every two weeks while the plant is actively growing through its spring and autumn growing season.

Feed only when the compost is already moist, preferably just after watering. Do not feed Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' during summer dormancy or prolonged cold weather, as soft, forced growth is far more susceptible to rot and frost damage.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' is -2°C. Being frost-tender, move it into a bright, airy and protected position before conditions fall below this level; it is not hardy like a Sempervivum. A large specimen can be awkward to shift, so plan its winter quarters in a greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool room before the cold arrives.

Keep the compost considerably drier during cold weather, watering only around every six weeks on average, and use horticultural fleece for additional protection during short cold spells while still allowing air to circulate around the crown.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural fleece

Summer care

During prolonged hot weather Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' may enter summer dormancy. Growth slows, the colours can deepen and the rosettes close towards their centres while lower leaves shrivel and drop. This is a natural response to heat and nothing to worry about, though on a large plant the leaf drop can look dramatic.

Move Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' out of intense afternoon sunshine if the leaves scorch. Reduce watering considerably and stop feeding while the rosettes stay closed. A half-strength liquid seaweed feed misted over the foliage in the cool of early morning, every couple of weeks, acts as a tonic that helps Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' cope with heat stress without wetting the roots. Normal care can resume when temperatures cool and the rosettes begin to reopen.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: liquid seaweed feed

Repotting

Repot Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' during spring or early autumn, either annually or when it becomes root-bound, unstable or too large for its container. Replace tired compost with a fresh, free-draining mixture and choose a pot only moderately larger than the existing one.

Older branching Aeoniums develop long sections of bare woody stem. These can be planted 4-6 inches (10-15cm) deeper to encourage additional roots and improve stability, but never bury leaves or rosettes. Handle the branches carefully and support the main framework, as mature stems can split at the junctions if placed under pressure.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Stretched stems, widely spaced leaves and loose rosettes usually mean Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf' needs more light. Move it gradually somewhere brighter and rotate the pot to keep the branching balanced and self-supporting.

Soft stems, dark tissue or sudden collapse are usually linked to excess moisture, particularly in cold weather or summer dormancy. Remove damaged growth and let healthy material dry before watering again.

Older lower leaves naturally dry and fall as the plant matures, gradually revealing the distinctive branching stems beneath the rosettes. Each rosette is monocarpic, dying after it flowers, but a large branching plant carries on unharmed through its many other heads.

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Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf'

Where it thrives

How to care for Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf'

Plant characteristics

On Arrival

Watering

Light and position

Compost and drainage

Feeding

Winter care

Summer care

Repotting

Common problems

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Frequently Asked
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Aeonium 'Schwarzkopf'

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