Black Laxmi Kamal  (Echeveria 'Black Prince')

Description

Black Laxmi Kamal - Botanically, the Echeveria ‘Black Prince,’ Black Laxmi Kamal is a hybrid succulent that grows as a rosette with deep burgundy colored leaves which eventually turn a nearly-black hue. Young offsets often begin with a greener tint and deepen color as they mature and gain exposure to more intense sunlight until the full dark rosette pattern develops. Black Laxmi Kamal - This particular Echeveria species is popular in Indian nurseries and typically is called Laxmi Kamal or Black Laxmi Kamal because its structured rosette has the look of a lotus on which Goddess Lakshmi may rest. It is also known as Vishnu Kamal by some growers.

The Black Laxmi Perfect for sunny window sills, balconies, and rockeries – the light will promote the compact rosettes to hold their dramatic dark coloring. It is a wonderful contrast in mixed succulent arrangements against more muted greens and blues. Black Laxmi Kamal grows slowly and steadily; on maturity plants can produce elegant tall stems bearing small clusters of bright red flowers during winter for an excellent colour accent against dark foliage.

A bold contrast to other plants, the Black Laxmi Kamal is a popular accent near entrances, puja areas, or work spaces for those who appreciate its symbolisation of good fortune, as well as its beautiful, dark leaves.

Key Features

• Fleshy pointed leaves in hues of dark burgundy or nearly black, darken even further as they mature in strong sun.
• Star-shaped, perfectly symmetrically placed leaves create the appearance of a blossoming lotus flower.
• The plants show steady, normal growth that Echeveria hybrids commonly display. 
• It may eventually produce high flowering stalks in colder times of year with red flowers on a mature plant.
• Drought tolerant once established – requires very infrequent watering. 
• Related in Indian cultures with the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, not for botanical reasons though! 
• Readily from leaves and offsets.

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Black Laxmi Kamal plant
• 1 × Nursery pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional)
• Well-draining succulent potting mix
• Care guide

Important Notes

• There is variation in rosette size and coloration but young offsets tend to be greener, and color more with age.
• Coloration is most impacted by light. Plants grown in low light conditions will be more green to reddish-brown than truly black.
• Some leaf softening, mild leaf drop is normal after transit - let your plant acclimate for 1-2 weeks before returning to regular watering schedule.
• Don’t let your pot become saturated with water - the succulent roots will easily rot in overly damp soil.
• If the plant was kept in the shade and suddenly put in strong direct sun it will develop spots of sun burn, acclimate gradually. 
• If disturbed or touched the rosette can get easily damaged and the edges can get damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My Black Laxmi Kamal isn’t dark and turning green or reddish-brown – why?

A: A large proportion of Echeveria are only deep rich black if given the right amount of light; yours is likely looking much greener/light orangey brown due to less adequate light. Once it starts receiving a good amount of hours of sun per day it will soon be very dark again!

Q: How do I water this plant?

A: When the soil is totally dry (in the pot, usually every other week for most conditions in India – more often if it is cold and/or damp, less often if it is quite warm). Water well until excess water comes out the bottom.

Q: Can the Black Laxmi Kamal be grown indoors? 

A: Yes, on a very bright and sunny windowsill but for true deep coloring and for a more compact rosette shape, you will need a few hours of direct sun per day. If your light is limited indoors, expect a lighter, less tight rosette.

Q: Is the Black Laxmi Kamal actually connected to Goddess Lakshmi in some kind of fashion? 

A: Not in any scientific/botanical way. It was named “Black Laxmi Kamal” because the symmetry of its rosette looked like a lotus which is considered to be the abode of Goddess Lakshmi. Actually, botanically it’s just a hybrid Echeveria, nicknamed ‘Black Prince’.

Q: How quickly do these succulents grow? And do they flower?

A: Growth is relatively slow. As expected from many Echeveria hybrids. In established plants with adequate sunlight, these can eventually produce a tall stalk that has small clustered red flowers in the fall or early winter, though the plants don't bloom every year or from every plant.

Q: Should I repot or propagate it?

A: Re-pot it every 1-2 years or when offset by crowd pot with a fresh well-draining succulent mix. It may be easy to propagate if you pull away a healthy leaf and leave it to heal a day or two until the end turns callused. Plant it in slightly moist soil. Within several weeks new rosette will emerge.