The Tacca – Bat Plant – Care Tips

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Introduction

Tacca or the Bat Plant is a plant curiosity, with hauntingly beautiful flowers. Bat Flower or Bat Plants boast unusual blooms that look like a bat flying. The stunning flowers are surrounded by lush, emerald green leaves with the flowers providing a spectacular display from Spring to early Autumn. These stunning plants may require extra care, but they are worth it. The Tacca chantrieri or Black Bat Plant is part of the Dioscoreaceae family of yams. This tropical plant is found in South-East Asia, India, and Southern China. The Bat Plant cannot withstand prolonged cold and can suffer from low humidity. The Black Bat Plant can be grown outdoors in Brisbane gardens and tropical and sub-tropical areas in Australia. It is also a very popular and collected houseplant, growing well indoors. Its cousin, the White Bat Plant (Tacca Integrifolia), is famous for its striking white and purple flowers, which is rarer and slightly more maintenance but once again, the striking flowers make it worthwhile.

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Lighting & Position

Tacca grows naturally in the humid shadows of tropical jungles in Asia. To thrive, they need warm, humid shade. You can mimic their natural environment by planting them in low-light conditions with 40-60% shade. They can be grown in either the ground or containers. However, they require light, well-drained, well-structured soil that is loamy and nutritious. The large leaves can also tatter and burn when exposed to wind. Indoors keep your Tacca plant in bright indirect light, with some direct morning sun ok. Keep out of the path of direct heating and cooling vents and cool or dry draughts.

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Watering

Tacca Bat Plants are generally a thirsty plant and can be sensitive to underwatering or stretches without watering. Always water your bat flower after planting. You should water the potting soil until it is fully saturated. Summer requires a lot of watering. The top layer of soil should dry out between waterings. Slightly drooping or lost turgor leaves signal that your plant needs water. Avoid soil drying out completely. The Tacca Bat Plant has a semi-dormancy phase where it doesn’t lose foliage but stops growing over Winter and Autumn, where you should reduce watering.

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Humidity

High humidity is the best environment for bat plants. Although this understory plant can tolerate lower humidity levels, it thrives best when the humidity is above 50%. High humidity is best – 60-90%. Misting can be good as dryness can cause yellow spots on the leaf surface and may result in the edges turning brown. It’s best to have a humidifier, group with other plants or place above a pebble tray to increase humidity levels.

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Fertilizing

When the bat flower grows, feed it 1/3-strength liquid fertilizer every two weeks. Or a slow-release fertilizer. When your Tacca plant is resting, avoid fertilising.

We recommend using our Plant Food available here. 

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Extra Tips

Spray the leaves with water daily if your garden is in a low-humidity area.

For better drainage and air circulation, mix your favourite potting mix with perlite or orchid potting mixture.

Add a feature that will increase humidity nearby your Tacca Bat Plant by placing pebble trays or water features nearby.

The only thing that bat flowers require is light grooming and removing old leaves.

A temperature range between 21C – 26C degrees is ideal for growing bat flowers.

In cultures where it is indigenous Tacca plants have been used for medicinal treatments.

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Uses

In addition to their obvious purpose as a showpiece and conversation starter, traditional herbalists have used bat flowers (either the entire plant or just the root) in making medicines to treat digestive problems, dysentery, and wounds.

Tacca – ‘Bat Plant’ Toxicity

There are phenanthridine alkaloids in all parts of the plant, which makes it toxic. Traditionally its flower (elixir) has been used to ‘cure’ ailments like fear, worry and emotional distress. It has also been used to reduce the fear of speaking up. Although the taste of the bat flowers is bitter, it also contains many nutrients, including calcium, iron, and carbohydrates. We recommend not consuming Bat Plant Flowers without considerably more research.

Tacca Bat Plant’ Design Tips

The foliage of the Tacca Bat Plant is green and lush perfect for bringing the tropical jungle vibes. Indoors they look great in white of dark pots and you could match the pot to the flower. In tropical environments they’re great under sheltered patio where people either walk through or sit so the flowers can be enjoyed most!

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