Echeveria Black Prince
Echeveria 'Black Prince'
📖 About this plant
Echeveria Black Prince is a dramatically dark succulent that forms stunning rosettes of deep chocolate-brown to almost black triangular leaves. The intense dark coloration creates a striking contrast against lighter-colored plants and makes it a standout in any succulent arrangement. New leaves emerge from the center with a bright lime-green color that darkens progressively to nearly black as they mature, creating a beautiful gradient effect within the rosette. In late autumn, it produces surprising bright scarlet-red flowers on tall stems that create a dramatic visual contrast against the dark foliage. It’s a must-have for gothic-themed gardens and dark plant collections.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full Sun to Bright Indirect Light
When soil is completely dry (every 2-3 weeks)
30-50%
15-27°C (60-80°F)
Gritty, well-draining cactus/succulent mix with 50% perlite or pumice
Diluted succulent fertilizer once in spring and once in summer
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Mexico (hybrid cultivar)
- 📏 Max height
- 15 cm (6 in) tall, 15-20 cm (6-8 in) wide rosette
- 📐 Spread
- 15-20 cm (6-8 in)
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Late autumn to winter
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Bright red, star-shaped flowers on arching stems with yellow centers
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark chocolate-brown to near-black fleshy rosette; bright green center on new growth
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial (3-8 years)
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets — safe for households
- 🌱 Propagation
- Leaf cuttings or beheading; allow callus 2-3 days before planting in dry soil
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic to humans and pets — safe for households
Common issues
- Greening out (losing dark color) in insufficient light, root rot from overwatering, mealybugs hiding between tight leaves, sunburn bleaching in extreme afternoon sun, etiolation stretching in shade
💡 Care tips
- The dark coloration requires plenty of light — at least 6 hours of bright light daily. Without enough sun, leaves will turn green. The contrast between new green center leaves and mature dark outer leaves is part of its charm. Excellent as a focal point in succulent arrangements. Water sparingly in winter during dormancy. Leaf propagation is easy but new plants may have slightly different color intensity.
