The Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri) is One of the Most Unique & Extraterrestrial Looking Flowers that can be Planted Outdoor and Indoors.
This Very Rare Flower is a Type of Orchid that Looks like a Flying Bat in Terms of it's Shape and Color. As a native tropical flowery plant of Asia, these flowers grow wildly in Southern China, especially in Yunnan Province.
It can also be found in some Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia. Although it is classified as a tropical plant, this flower can be grown in subtropical areas and does Great Indoors in cooler areas. White Bat Flower, a rare variety which is known as Tacca integrifolia.
It is considered a Newer & More Rare Version of black flower and characterized by white brackets. This summer patio plant will stick out in your visitor's minds—its flower form is unexpected and extraordinary. It's named for its bat-in-flight shape, but the deep purple and cream white tones, heavy veining and flowing lines almost look like something out of an art nouveau painting.
Past the patio, this variety also makes an excellent indoor plant. In fact, it must be taken inside through winter in all but zone 10. Not only the habit, but its light requirements make it a good indoor plant. Because it's native to the deep understory of Asian rainforests, it prefers full shade or low light.
No need for a big bay window or strategically placed artificial lights to keep it healthy in the home. It blooms August through September over lush, green crinkled foliage that keeps up this tropical look through the season.
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| Botanical Name |
Tacca chantrieri |
| Common Name |
Bat flower, tiger beard, cat's whiskers, devil's flower |
| Plant Type |
Perennial |
| Mature Size |
36 inches tall, 12 inches wide |
| Sun Exposure |
Partial sun to dappled shade |
| Soil Type |
Fertile, well-drained |
| Soil pH |
6.1 to 7.5 |
| Bloom Time |
Late summer through fall |
| Flower Color |
Black (dark purple) |
| Hardiness Zones |
9b to 11 |
| Native Areas |
Southeast Asia, Australia
Bat Flower Germination:
1) Sow the seeds into a moist potting compost mix with some perlite & vermiculite for great drainage.
2) Use a heated propagator under them to keep the soil around 85 degrees to help speed germination rates.
3) Very easy to grow, but Patience is needed as with any Exotic or Tropical seeds, and germination is erratic & can take anywhere from one to nine months;...But these Unique Extraterrestrial Looking Flowers are Definitely Worth the Wait!
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How to Grow Bat Flower from Seed?
The first step in growing bat flowers from seed is to acquire a mature seed pod. Pods should be allowed to mature and dry right on the plant for the best chance of germination. Use a good potting soil that has been pre-moistened and plant seeds in a 2 inch (5 cm.) pot so they don’t need to be moved right away. Tacca plants do not seem to like to be transplanted and will take a while to recover. You may also choose to make your own mixture. A good planting medium is 10% sand, 40% peat moss, and 50% fine bark. Seeds don’t need any stratification or scarification to germinate, though soaking the seed in water overnight may help enhance germination. What they do need is time. Germination times run the gamut from a couple of weeks to several months.
They also need evenly moist soil but not soggy media. Use a clear cover over the pot to conserve moisture but remove it daily to release excess that will build up and can cause damping off.
The last important ingredient to successful bat flower seed germination is heat. A heated soil mat to keep the bottom of the medium warm will greatly improve your chances of seeing a little sprout.
Caring for Bat Flower Seedlings:
Remember where these amazing plants hail from and consider the wild seeds’ needs as you set up your nursery. Plants live in tropical rainforests and need plenty of warmth with a partially shaded location that mimics the dappled light of a treed area. Once you can safely handle the delicate seedlings, move them to larger pots. In summer, keep the little plants evenly moist, but in winter, diminish watering by half, while never allowing the plant to dry out completely. That would be a death knell for these humidity loving plants. If your heating system tends to dry out the air, mist the plants once per week or set the container in a saucer with some small pebbles and fill with water. This increases humidity without soaking the roots. An amazing tip from an expert grower is regarding water. He recommends using 1 cup (240 ml.) of hydrogen oxygen per gallon (4 L.) of water to help prevent fungal issues. Bat flowers in home cultivation are prone to these problems due to high humidity, low circulation, and often excess moisture.
