Average Landscape Size: 3–4 ft. tall × 3–4 ft. wide; upright and clumping habit.
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; in Houston, the colors are most intense in full sun, but it appreciates afternoon filtered light to prevent leaf scorch.
Water Needs: High; loves consistent moisture and thrives in damp soils or near pond edges. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
Deer Resistance: Medium
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 8–11; will go dormant in a Houston winter but returns reliably from the tuber in spring.
Fertilization & Pruning: Heavy feeder; use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing season. Trim off any older, faded leaves at the base to keep the plant looking fresh and dark.
Detailed Description: 'Black Beauty' is the ultimate choice for gardeners looking for dark, dramatic foliage. The leaves emerge with a slight green tint but quickly mature into a deep, velvety charcoal-black with a bright green "eye" where the leaf meets the stem. This variety is slightly more compact than 'Jack's Giant', making it perfect for large decorative containers or as a middle-of-the-border accent. In the Houston metro area, the high humidity actually helps maintain the leaf's velvety sheen. It is a fantastic contrast plant—place it next to chartreuse Sweet Potato Vines or Lime Zinger Sedum to make the dark purple-black tones really pop.
Average Landscape Size: 3–4 ft. tall × 3–4 ft. wide; upright and clumping habit.
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; in Houston, the colors are most intense in full sun, but it appreciates afternoon filtered light to prevent leaf scorch.
Water Needs: High; loves consistent moisture and thrives in damp soils or near pond edges. Do not let the soil dry out completely.
Deer Resistance: Medium
Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 8–11; will go dormant in a Houston winter but returns reliably from the tuber in spring.
Fertilization & Pruning: Heavy feeder; use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing season. Trim off any older, faded leaves at the base to keep the plant looking fresh and dark.
Detailed Description: 'Black Beauty' is the ultimate choice for gardeners looking for dark, dramatic foliage. The leaves emerge with a slight green tint but quickly mature into a deep, velvety charcoal-black with a bright green "eye" where the leaf meets the stem. This variety is slightly more compact than 'Jack's Giant', making it perfect for large decorative containers or as a middle-of-the-border accent. In the Houston metro area, the high humidity actually helps maintain the leaf's velvety sheen. It is a fantastic contrast plant—place it next to chartreuse Sweet Potato Vines or Lime Zinger Sedum to make the dark purple-black tones really pop.
