Bat plant

If you're looking for something that's hauntingly beautiful and spectacularly sinister, then you need Tacca! Also known as the Bat Flower or Bat Plant, this exotic beauty flaunts some seriously unusual blooms that mimic a bat in flight. Large, lush, emerald leaves surround the stunning flowers for a truly remarkable display from spring until early fall. They might require a little extra care, but these breathtaking plants are well worth the effort. 

Tacca naturally grow in the damp shadows of the tropical jungles in Asia, so it's no wonder that they require warm, humid shade to thrive. Mimic their natural environment by growing them in low light conditions of 40–60% shade, such as under trees or next to walls. They perform well in both the ground and containers, but need light, loamy, nutritious, and well-drained soil. Additionally, the large leaves will tatter and burn if exposed to wind, so be sure to provide some protection and keep indoor Tacca away from heating or cooling vents.

Blooming from late spring until early fall, Tacca can be grown year-round indoors in containers and should be planted in spring. When planted within their hardiness zones of 9B–11, Tacca can remain in the ground, undisturbed over the winter. In colder regions, bring your potted plant inside, where it will stay handsome all winter long.

How to Plant

• For outdoor landscape planting, choose a location where your Tacca will receive 40–60% shade, be protected from wind, and have well-draining soil. Dig holes and plant your Tacca rhizomes upright and perpendicular with the last ½" of the rhizome and the leaves exposed above the soil.
• For container planting, choose a container with adequate drainage holds and fill with light, loamy, nutritious, well-drained soil. Dig holes and plant the rhizomes upright and perpendicular with the last ½" of the rhizome and the leaves exposed above the soil.
• Water after planting to gently soak the soil without waterlogging your Tacca.

• Keep your Tacca moist but not wet during active growth. As temperatures rise, you may need to water twice weekly.
• Apply a good 10-20-10 liquid fertilizer every two weeks from spring through fall for a dazzling display.
• Cut back on the water and allow the surface to dry a bit during the winter months, as Tacca slow their activity during this time.

Tacca Tips & Tricks

• Protect your Tacca from direct sun, wind, and temperatures below 40 degrees F for the best results.
• Keep soil moist but never wet, as Tacca will not survive in soggy conditions.
• Avoid fertilizing and lighten up on the water in the winter, as your Tacca will be resting a bit.
• Check the soil regularly to ensure that you are maintaining a healthy balance of moisture.
• Mist the leaves daily if you're gardening in a low-humidity area, spraying above the foliage to let the mist settle gently.
• Add Orchid potting mix or a generous amount of perlite to your preferred potting mix to improve drainage and ensure good air throughout the soil.
• Place pebble trays, water features, or a humidifier near your Tacca for an added bonus.