7 Most Beautiful Black Roses

There is something mysteriously beautiful about these rare and unusual blooms.

Written by Ramya Karamsetti
Edited by Madhumati Chowdhury, MA (English Literature)  • 

Black roses have intrigued gardeners and rose enthusiasts alike for centuries because of their unconventional appearance and rarity. The black color is due to deep red or purple colors that make the roses appear black. Initially, black rose flowers have a dark coloring, but they turn a deep red once they bloom. Petals of black roses possess a velvety sheen and are tinged with black.

Typically, the black roses are perceived as red roses due to their deep red color. Many art forms have drawn inspiration from this unique rose variety, which symbolizes many emotions. Black roses are often associated with melancholy, farewells, or the breaking of romantic ties. However, they can also symbolize rebirth or new beginnings and obsession. Discover the different types of black roses that are available, what they mean, as well as their characteristics. Scroll down.

protip_icon Fun Fact
In 2013, the rumor regarding the truly black roses that only grow in Halfeti, Turkey, took the internet by storm. The purpose of the rumor was to drive tourism. However, Halfeti sure is home to deep wine-colored roses that attract tourists.

Most Beautiful Black Roses

1. Black Magic Roses

Black Magic Roses
Image: Shutterstock

Black magic is the most popular red rose in the market today. The bud of this rose is very black and can even be cut in their bud form to give an appearance of black rose. This flower looks very appealing with deep red velvety petals. The petals are thick and fully doubled. The bloom appears singly on each stem making it very attractive as a cut flower. The foliage is beautiful and dark green. This black rose gets it beautiful dark colour and strong smell from its parent ‘Guinee’ rose. These are pretty large in size and smell heavenly, making it ideal for planting. This flower is considered as a symbol of departure and farewell. The flower blooms throughout the year. When placed under dim lights this flower appears truly black in colour.

2. Black Velvet Rose

Black velvet rose flower is one of the most beautiful black roses
Image: Shutterstock

Black velvet rose is a large flowered Hybrid tea rose. It is deep burgundy in color with a dark, blackish velvety look, from where it gets is name. The shrub of this flower bears just one flower at a stem and the huge buds opens up to reveal a large semi double deep black blooms.  The flower has dark green leathery foliage with green leaves. The flower is highly fragrant and is often used in the perfumery industry. The flower blooms every year in summer until fall.

3. Black Baccara’ Roses

Black Baccara rose is a hybrid tea rose which is perfect for cut flower arrangements. This flower came to existence in 2005 after extensive research.  The flower has no fragrance at all, but looks really very beautiful.  Like other black roses, these flowers look very dark when they do not unfurl fully and take a beautiful deep red color when they open completely. The blooms open slowly, showing a deep red color with black shadings. As it blooms, the edges of the rose, still have a blackish tint on their petals. The dark leathery leaves are reddish when they are young and cover the bush really well. The flower appears blacker in cool weather.

protip_icon Trivia
Of all the black roses, the Black Baccara cultivar has a reputation for having the deepest shade.

4. Black Jade Rose

This beautiful flower won the ARS in 1985 for minis, from a smaller breeder called Benardella. It is also called ‘BenBlack’ in some regions of the world. Jade is a deep dark red flower that turns black in a hot sunny weather.  The flower is not resistant to cooler weather and gets black spots every once in a while. The flower can be best grown in pots where they can manage themselves against climate. The flower grows in clusters with around 5 to 10 blooms in each stem. The flower opens up to reveal attractive, bright golden stamens, which looks beautiful in contrast to the very dark blackish petals. The foliage is dark and glossy.

5. Black Cherry Rose

Black Cherry Rose belongs to the family of heirloom. The flower gets its name from large nearly black blooms that look cherry red in certain lights. This flower is deep burgundy red in colour and is fully double, around 3 to 4 inches wide.  The flower has no fragrance at all and is perfect for cut flower arrangement. The flower begins flowering in early season and continues in waves in all seasons.

6. Black Beauty Rose

This flower was first introduced by Meilland in France in 1954. Like most of the black roses, Black beauty rose is large hybrid tea rose with a deep dark red colour. The young bud and the reverse of the petals appears dark velvety blackish red in color. The flower opens to a deep burgundy shade.  The flower has relatively smaller blooms than other hybrid tea roses. It has a very mild fragrance which is not at all over powering. The flower looks vibrant as cut flower and can make any flower decoration look glamorous. It looks amazing when mixed with cream or white colored flower.  The flower is also very popular during weddings and for bouquet decoration. This rose bloom throughout summers and winter.

7. Black Ice

Black Ice belongs to modern cluster flowered Floribunda Rose. The name black ice derives from its parent iceberg roses. The rose was first bred by Gandy in England in 1971. The buds of this flower are very dark black in colour and open to a beautiful dark scarlet colored large size bloom. The open flower displays a dark red colour with red shadings which looks like a black colored rose. The flower has glossy green foliage which looks very attractive with the red flower. The flower blooms every year in summer till fall. It has a mild fragrance which is very pleasing.

What Do Black Roses Mean?

The black rose symbolized strength and power in ancient Rome and Greek civilization. In modern times, it is highly regarded as a symbol of eternal love, hope, and optimism. Unlike the red rose, the black rose has a deeper meaning of true romance and affection. The color and its appearance exude power and mystery. It also symbolizes rebirth and new life.

However, since the black color is considered inauspicious and associated with mourning in many cultures, black roses are not commonly used for gifting. Indeed, you can express your grief and support to someone who has lost a loved one by sending a bouquet of black roses.

Infographic: 5 Of The Most Magnificent Black Roses

Due to their unique appearance and rarity, black roses have long piqued the interest of gardeners and rose enthusiasts. The deep crimson or purple hues of the roses are what give them their black appearance. Black rose blooms might initially look gothic but they turn a deep crimson color once they bloom. Black roses’ petals have a velvety shine and a black tint. Check out the infographic below to find the 5 most magnificent black roses!

5 of the most magnificent black roses (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Black roses usually have a deep red or deep purple hue. They are often associated with negative emotions, such as breakups, sadness, departure, farewell, and other macabre and ominous events. They are thought to emit a mysterious, deathly, unnatural vibe. But they could also symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. From the black magic rose to the black ice rose, these beautiful and unique flowers have distinctive characteristics. While a few of these flowers bloom in all seasons, most varieties usually grow in summer and winter. Most of these flowers do not have any fragrance, sparing one or two varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get black roses?

Black roses are difficult to grow and a challenge to procure. However, one can grow them with seeds that are available online. Ensure you provide suitable growth conditions.

What do black roses mean in a relationship?

Black roses signify obsessive love and a deep connection. They also symbolize tragic romance, evil, subversive behavior, and dishonor.

How are black roses different from other varieties of roses, such as red or white roses, in terms of appearance and cultivation?

Black roses are actually roses that have a dark maroon, burgundy or purplish hue, which makes them appear almost black. These roses require partial shade, well-drained soil, and slightly cooler temperatures just like most other varieties of roses.

Key Takeaways

  • Some associate black roses with sadness or the breaking of a romance, while others connect it to rebirth or obsession.
  • Black roses are not black. They are primarily deep red or purple, making them appear black.
  • Velvety petals are a significant feature of black roses.
  • Some varieties, like Black baccara, do not have a significant smell.
  • They are elegant options for wedding decor with dim lighting to get an actual black color.
black roses_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Image source: 1 , 2


Watch this video to discover the beauty of black roses! Learn about the nine different varieties of black roses and their unique characteristics.
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