We examine the no-hair conjecture in asymptotically anti-de Sitter (AdS) sp
acetime. First, we consider a real scalar field as the matter field and ass
ume static spherically symmetric spacetime. Analysis of the asymptotics sho
ws that the scalar field must approach the extremum of its potential. Using
this fact, it is proved that there is no regular black hole solution when
the scalar field is massless or has a "convex" potential. Surprisingly, whi
le the scalar field has a growing mode around the local minimum of the pote
ntial. there is no growing mode around the local maximum. This implies that
the local maximum is a kind of "attractor" of the asymptotic scalar field.
We give two examples of the new black hole solutions with a nontrivial sca
lar field configuration numerically in the symmetric or asymmetric double w
ell potential models. We study the stability of these solutions by using th
e linear perturbation method in order to examine whether or not the scalar
hair is physical. In the symmetric double well potential model, we find tha
t the potential function of the perturbation equation is positive semidefin
ite in some wide parameter range and that the new solution is stable. This
implies that the black hole no-hair conjecture is violated in asymptoticall
y AdS spacetime.