The Onyx Odyssey Hellebore is an evergreen perennial plant that is used as an ornamental plant for indoor living spaces. It is a member of the Ranunculaceae family and a species under the Helleborus genus.
A common name for the Hellebore Onyx Odyssey plant is the Black Hellebore, and even though it is considered a black plant, the exotic Hellebore is a dark shade of purple. This dark purple flower has a large spread and is carried by a glossy green stalk.
Its stem and leaves can be poisonous so you would want to be careful when growing and caring for the Hellebore plant.
The Hellebore Onyx Odyssey blooms during the late winter season and extends to the early spring season. It is a plant hybrid and has its roots traced down to Asia, Central, and Southern Europe.
Although it is used as an indoor plant, it could also be grown outdoors in gardens and flower beds. However, you would want to pair the Hellebore plant with a variety of floral colors to bring a dramatic feel to your garden.
| Botanical Name | Hellebore Onyx Odyssey |
| Common Names | Black Hellebore, Winter Jewel plant |
| Origin | Asia, Central and Southern Europe |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Plant Type | Evergreen Perennial |
| Full Size | 12 inches to 18 inches |
| Sun Exposure | Ranges from full, direct sunlight to partial or indirect sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-draining clay and loamy soil |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans and pets when ingested |
Hellebore Onyx Odyssey Care
The Onyx Odyssey Hellebore plant is considered a low-maintenance plant. Although efforts must be taken to meet its basic light, water, temperature, and soil requirements.
Hellebore Onyx Odyssey Light Requirement
To get a healthy Black Hellebore plant, adequate sunlight would need to be provided. Its sun requirement ranges from direct to indirect sunlight.
This would mean alternating between both sunlight intensities. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight could be harmful to the exotic plant and too little sunlight could leave the plant drooping.
A proper way to regulate the amount of sunlight it receives is to provide the potted plant with a maximum of 6 hours of exposure to direct sunlight every day. After it has had its fill, you can then provide shade or partial sunlight for the remaining part of the day.
When growing indoors, place the plant in a room right next to an eastward-facing window so it gets access to adequate direct sunlight. To help with shade, a light curtain to filter the sunlight might be required.
Hellebore Onyx Odyssey Water Requirement
Overwatering your Hellebore Black plant, would be doing more harm than good as the exquisite plant has delicate roots that hate being soggy.
A soggy root can leave the plant open for fungi and bacteria to attack, this could lead to the rotting of the plant’s root.
What you want to do is keep the plant’s soil moist at all times, this would mean watering the plant at least once a week.
Before watering, it helps to feel the topmost part of the soil with your finger, so as to get a feel of how much moisture is present in the soil, if it feels dry, you can then proceed to water the hellebore Onyx Odyssey.
When watering, ensure it is directed towards the plant’s soil and not its leaves as excess water building up on the leaves would be harming the plant.
Reduce the frequency with which you water the Black Hellebore plant during the winter season to about once a month, and in the hot season, you should increase the frequency with which you water the plant to twice a week.
Hellebore Onyx Odyssey Soil Requirement
The best soil type to be used for the Hellebore black plant is well-draining loamy or sandy soil. You could mix the soil with organic compost to make it richer and support proper plant growth.
Keep the soil pH level between neutral and a little alkaline, an appropriate pH level should range from 7.5 to 8.2
It should also possess a good moisture-retaining ability, so as to keep the plant’s roots moist for long periods.
A great soil mix would be one part potting soil, one part perlite, and one part peat moss. The peat moss should help make the soil aerated enough for the Hellebore’s roots to breathe in.
You could test the draining capacity of the soil mix by watering the soil. If a puddle forms a minute after watering, it means the soil is dense and a fresh soil mix would be required.
Hellebore Onyx Odyssey Temperature and Humidity Requirement
Black Hellebores are known to possess high tolerance when it comes to humidity. They can survive cold, and winter periods and can survive hot and humid periods.
Their USDA hardiness zones range from zone 5a to zone 8b. This means they can survive temperature levels from -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although it is called the ‘Winter Jewel’, you should protect your Hellebore plant from the effect of harsh winds caused by the winter season.
Hellebore Onyx Odyssey Fertilizer Requirement
Fertilizing the Hellebore Onyx Odyssey plant shouldn’t be done often. In fact, it is rare for the Hellebore plant to need fertilizer.
The organic compost added during the soil mixture should be more than enough to see the plant through a proper and healthy growth.
If fertilizer should be added, it should be done during the early spring, and water-soluble fertilizer should be used.
In situations where excess fertilizer has been added to the plant’s soil, deep watering should be done to get rid of the fertilizer residue.
Ensure that the water from deep watering the soil passes through the drainage holes located at the base of the pot.
Propagating the Hellebore Onyx Odyssey
The flowers produced by the Hellebore are sterile, and as such can not be propagated by seeds. A great method for propagating this exotic plant would be by dividing the root ball.
Pruning Requirement for the Hellebore Onyx Odyssey
Pruning should be done between late winter to early spring. This is the growing season for the Hellebore plant and old leaves would need to be trimmed to encourage the growth of new leaves.
When trimming, use clean, sterilized trimming scissors or knives to avoid infection and it is also advised that you wear protective hand gloves.
Toxicity
All parts of the Hellebore plant are considered toxic when ingested as it contains oxalate crystals that would cause skin and mouth irritation when ingested.
Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets. If you notice the Hellebore plant has been eaten by either child or a pet, be quick to call a medical professional while keeping watch for any symptoms or signs that might come up.
Common Health Problems of the Hellebore Onyx Odyssey
This Hellebore variety is considered a strong and sturdy plant. Although, a few pests and diseases, pests and conditions affect it. They are;
- Harsh winds
- Root Rot
- Aphids
- Slugs
Frequently Asked Questions
In deep parts of Asia, the Hellebore plant is used to represent peace and tranquility.
Yes, Hellebores are partly known for their large spreads.
The Hellebore is a perennial plant that lives for 10 years on average.
When propagating the Hellebore plant, it is advised that you wear a glove to protect yourself from the plant’s Calcium Oxalate crystals.
Hellebores could be grown anywhere, from the ground to pots. However, ensure that the pot used is a large pot to accommodate its large spread.
