Purple (Almost-Black) Foliage
Raven is distinguished by deep, deep purple, glossy leaves. The foliage is so dark it can appear black in rooms with low lighting. Justin Hancock, head of brand marketing at Costa Farms, describes this variety as “a stylish version of a practically indestructible, tried-and-true houseplant. Its purple-black foliage stands out and fits in a wide variety of home decor styles.” The sleek leaves and striking color evoke the popular modern farmhouse style and fit right in with classic black and white decorating schemes. Buy It: Raven ZZ Plant ($52, Walmart) A focal point on its own, Raven can anchor a tabletop or mantle. Its shiny leaves and strong, upright stems give it a bold visual presence, making it a wonderful plant for modern or contemporary homes. Play up its purple-black foliage by pairing it with colorful, hard-to-kill houseplants, such as Chinese evergreen, red aglaonema, and snake plant.
Anyone Can Grow It
Just like its green-hued cousins in the ZZ plant family, Raven is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It’s the perfect plant for newbies, or people with a busy lifestyle, who might not have time to care for houseplants regularly. ZZ plant can tolerate almost all types of light levels, from low to bright, but it’s best to keep it out of direct sunlight. Since it’s drought tolerant, Raven doesn’t mind low humidity and can go for a couple of weeks without water. In fact, it grows best when the soil is allowed to dry between waterings. It’s a slow-grower, so expect it to reach about 30 inches tall and wide over a period of several years. Like super-popular black succulents, Raven appeals to houseplant lovers’ desire for new and unusual finds that are also easy to keep alive. So keep your eye out for this dark-leafed beauty at garden centers and grocery stores near you.
