Are you a lover of the dark and moody aesthetic? Do you dream of creating a hauntingly beautiful garden that embraces the shadowy side of nature? Look no further than these stunning plants that will transform your outdoor space into a goth garden haven.

Perennial Plants for a Goth Garden

Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’)

This low-growing, grass-like perennial is the ultimate gothic ground cover. With its inky black blades that form dense, lush mats, black mondo grass creates an alluring, almost otherworldly presence in the garden. Native to Japan, this hardy plant thrives in partial shade to full sun and is drought tolerant once established. Use it to line pathways, cascade over walls, or intermix with lighter-colored plants to make the black foliage really pop. In late summer, tiny bell-shaped lavender flowers emerge, adding a delicate contrast to the deep, mysterious hues.

Coral Bells ‘Plum Pudding’ (Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’)

For a touch of gothic elegance, look no further than the stunning Coral Bells ‘Plum Pudding’. This compact perennial boasts large, rounded leaves that start off a deep, inky purple and mature to a rich, velvety black. In spring, tall flower spikes rise above the foliage, bearing delicate bell-shaped blooms in shades of pink or white. ‘Plum Pudding’ prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, making it an ideal choice for woodland gardens or shady borders. Its dramatic coloring pairs beautifully with silver-leaved plants or fiery red flowers for a striking contrast.

Black Lenten Rose (Helleborus x hybridus ‘Onyx Odyssey’)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Black Lenten Rose is a must-have. Also known as the Hellebore, this evergreen perennial produces large, saucer-shaped flowers in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The blooms appear in late winter to early spring, nodding atop sturdy stems and providing a welcome burst of color when little else is growing. The leathery, palmate leaves are also a rich, inky black, creating a dramatic backdrop for the ethereal flowers. Black Lenten Roses thrive in partial shade and well-draining, alkaline soil. Plant them under trees or in shady borders for maximum impact.

Halfeti Black Rose

For the ultimate in gothic elegance, the Halfeti black rose is a must-have. Originating from the small Turkish town of Halfeti, this rare and mysterious rose variety produces blooms in the deepest, darkest shade of black imaginable. The velvety petals have an almost inky quality, creating a mesmerizing contrast against the thorny, ebony-colored stems.

What makes the Halfeti black rose so special is its elusive and unpredictable nature. The flowers only develop their signature black hue when grown in the unique soil and microclimate of the Halfeti region. Elsewhere, the roses may appear a deep crimson or burgundy instead. This capricious quality only adds to the plant’s allure and mystique.
Despite its rare and finicky nature, the Halfeti black rose is surprisingly easy to grow. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, and is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. Plant it as a statement piece in your goth garden, allowing the dramatic blooms to take center stage. Pair it with silvery-leaved plants or lighter-colored flowers to make the black petals really pop.

Black Barlow Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris ‘Black Barlow’)

For a touch of gothic elegance, the Black Barlow columbine is a stunning perennial choice. This unique variety of the classic columbine flower boasts large, pom-pom-like blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black. The intricate, spurred flowers appear in late spring to early summer, nodding atop tall, slender stems that sway gently in the breeze.

In addition to the mesmerizing black flowers, the Black Barlow columbine also features lacy, blue-green foliage that provides a lovely contrast. This hardy perennial prefers partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, making it a great choice for woodland gardens or shady borders. Its dramatic coloring pairs beautifully with silver-leaved plants or fiery red flowers for a striking gothic look.

Blacknight Hollyhock (Alcea rosea ‘Blacknight’)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Blacknight hollyhock is a must-have annual. This towering plant produces large, single-flowering blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The velvety petals have an almost inky quality, creating a mesmerizing contrast against the tall, sturdy stems.
In addition to the dramatic flowers, the Blacknight hollyhock also features large, lobed leaves that are a rich, almost black hue. This creates a stunning, cohesive look that is sure to turn heads in your goth garden. The plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, reaching heights of up to 6 feet tall.

Green Wizard Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea ‘Green Wizard’)

For a unique twist on the classic coneflower, the Green Wizard variety is a must-have. This striking perennial features large, daisy-like blooms with deep, almost black centers surrounded by drooping, chartreuse-colored petals. The effect is both mesmerizing and unsettling – like a portal to another, more mysterious world.
In addition to the captivating flowers, the Green Wizard coneflower also boasts dark, almost black-tinted foliage that provides a dramatic backdrop. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it an easy-to-grow addition to your goth garden. Plant it alongside silvery-leaved plants or fiery red flowers for maximum impact.

Andean Silver-Leaf Sage (Salvia discolor)

For a touch of gothic elegance, the Andean silver-leaf sage is a stunning choice. This unique variety of sage features large, velvety leaves that are a deep, green leaves with purle stems covered in a shimmering, silvery-white fuzz. The effect is both mysterious and captivating, especially when the leaves catch the light.
In late spring to early summer, the Andean silver-leaf sage produces tall spikes of small, tubular flowers in shades of purple or blue. These blooms provide a lovely contrast to the dark foliage, creating an almost otherworldly appearance. This hardy perennial thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it a great choice for hot, dry gardens.

Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Black Bat Flower is a must-have. Also known as the Devil Flower or Cat’s Whiskers, this exotic perennial features large, bat-like blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The unique, spidery petals and long, whisker-like bracts give the flowers an almost alien, otherworldly appearance.
In addition to the mesmerizing black flowers, the Black Bat Flower also boasts large, tropical-looking leaves that are a rich, inky hue. This creates a stunning, cohesive look that is sure to turn heads in your goth garden. The plant thrives in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, making it a great choice for shady borders or woodland gardens.

Queen of Night Tulip (Tulipa ‘Queen of Night’)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Queen of Night tulip is a must-have. This dramatic variety features large, cup-shaped blooms in the deepest, darkest shade of purple-black imaginable. The velvety petals have an almost inky quality, creating a mesmerizing contrast against the sturdy, ebony-colored stems.
What makes the Queen of Night tulip so special is its ability to command attention. The massive, almost black flowers rise up from the soil like mysterious sentinels, their regal presence commanding the eye. Plant them in bold drifts or as focal points in your goth garden for maximum impact.
Despite their dramatic appearance, Queen of Night tulips are relatively easy to grow. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, and are hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. Just be sure to plant the bulbs in the fall for a stunning spring display. Pair them with silvery-leaved plants or fiery red flowers for a striking gothic look.

Black Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Black Magic’)

For a touch of exotic elegance, the Black Calla Lily is a stunning choice. This unique variety of the classic calla lily features large, trumpet-shaped blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black. The velvety, almost iridescent petals rise up from sturdy, ebony-colored stems, creating a mesmerizing and almost otherworldly appearance.
In addition to the captivating flowers, the Black Calla Lily also boasts large, arrow-shaped leaves that are a rich, inky hue. This creates a cohesive, gothic look that is sure to turn heads in your garden. The plant thrives in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, making it a great choice for shady borders or woodland gardens.

Black Elephant Ear (Colocasia esculenta ‘Black Magic’)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Black Elephant Ear is a must-have. This dramatic, tropical-looking plant features massive, heart-shaped leaves in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The enormous, almost prehistoric-looking foliage creates an almost otherworldly presence in the garden.

In addition to the mesmerizing black leaves, the Black Elephant Ear also produces small, inconspicuous flowers that emerge from the base of the plant. These blooms are a rich, almost inky hue, providing a subtle contrast to the dramatic foliage. This hardy perennial thrives in partial shade and moist, well-draining soil, making it a great choice for shady borders or tropical-inspired gardens.

Black as Black Iris (Iris ‘Black as Black’)

For a touch of gothic elegance, the Black as Black iris is a stunning choice. This unique variety of the classic bearded iris features large, velvety blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The ruffled petals have an almost iridescent quality, creating a mesmerizing and almost otherworldly appearance.
In addition to the captivating flowers, the Black as Black iris also boasts sword-like foliage that is a rich, inky hue. This creates a cohesive, gothic look that is sure to turn heads in your garden. The plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soil, making it a great choice for hot, dry gardens.

Annual Plants for a Goth Garden

While black perennials can provide a striking, long-lasting backbone to your goth garden, don’t overlook the power of black annuals to add drama and intrigue. These short-lived beauties come in a range of shapes and sizes, allowing you to mix and match for maximum gothic impact.

Black Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)

For a bold, architectural statement, the Black Prince coleus is a must-have. This striking annual features large, velvety leaves in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The ruffled, almost iridescent foliage creates a mesmerizing contrast against lighter-colored plants.
In addition to the captivating leaves, the Black Prince coleus also produces small, inconspicuous flowers that emerge from the base of the plant. These blooms are a rich, almost inky hue, providing a subtle contrast to the dramatic foliage. This heat-loving annual thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a versatile choice for your goth garden.

Pansy ‘Black Beauty’

For a touch of gothic elegance, the Pansy ‘Black Beauty’ is a stunning choice. This unique variety of the classic pansy features large, velvety blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black. The ruffled petals have an almost iridescent quality, creating a mesmerizing and almost otherworldly appearance.
In addition to the captivating flowers, the Pansy ‘Black Beauty’ also boasts lush, green foliage that provides a lovely contrast. This cool-weather annual thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it a great choice for spring and fall gardens. Plant it alongside silvery-leaved plants or fiery red flowers for maximum impact.

Black Mamba Petunia (Petunia ‘Black Mamba’)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Black Mamba petunia is a must-have. This dramatic annual features large, trumpet-shaped blooms in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The velvety petals have an almost iridescent quality, creating a mesmerizing and almost otherworldly appearance.

Black Indoor Plants for a Spooky Effect

While outdoor gardens are the perfect canvas for dark and dramatic plants, don’t overlook the power of black-hued houseplants to set a moody, gothic tone indoors. These shadowy beauties can bring an air of mystery and intrigue to any room, making them ideal for creating a spooky, supernatural vibe.

Alocasia Polly ‘African Mask’

For a true gothic showstopper, the Alocasia Polly ‘African Mask’ is a must-have. This dramatic houseplant features large, arrow-shaped leaves in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The velvety, almost iridescent foliage has an almost prehistoric quality, creating a mesmerizing and otherworldly presence.

In addition to the captivating leaves, the Alocasia Polly also produces small, inconspicuous flowers that emerge from the base of the plant. These blooms are a rich, almost inky hue, providing a subtle contrast to the dramatic foliage. This tropical plant thrives in bright, indirect light and consistently moist, well-draining soil, making it a great choice for a shadowy corner or moody entryway.

Raven ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’)

For a touch of gothic elegance, the Raven ZZ plant is a stunning choice. This unique variety of the classic ZZ plant features thick, waxy leaves in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The almost glossy foliage has an almost supernatural quality, creating a mesmerizing and almost haunting presence.

In addition to the captivating leaves, the Raven ZZ plant is also incredibly low-maintenance, making it a great choice for busy or forgetful plant parents. This hardy houseplant thrives in a wide range of light conditions, from bright, indirect light to low-light corners. Just be sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.

Black Velvet Rex Begonia (Begonia ‘Black Velvet’)

For a true gothic showstopper, the Black Velvet Rex begonia is a must-have. This dramatic houseplant features large, velvety leaves in the deepest, darkest shades of purple-black imaginable. The almost iridescent foliage has a mesmerizing, almost supernatural quality that is sure to captivate.