Bat Plant: A Boo-tiful Choice for Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida’s humidity creates a perfect home for the spirited bat plant, also known as Tacca chantrieri. Its hauntingly beautiful blooms prefer shade, well-drained, fertile soil and a warm environment (no direct sunlight similar to orchid conditions). In return, you’ll be rewarded with a flower like no other: black with long “sinister” tentacles worthy of any Hollywood horror movie you can think of. 

bat plantNative to West Africa and Southeast Asia, bat plants can grow as tall as three feet with the right conditions, with bat-like blossoms up to a foot in width. Their long-lasting blooms appear for up to seven weeks once the plant reaches 2 to 3 years old. Find a  protected area for your bat plant that receives indirect light for at least four hours a day to promote the best blooms, and water it when the soil is just barely moist. No wet feet for these bats, please (that would be a horrible death). If they wilt no worries. The leaves will spring back quickly with water. 

Cover these frost-tender plants with a bucket when the temps are forecast to drop below 55 degrees or take it inside (if it’s in a container) and place it in the bathroom overnight with humidity from a hot shower to keep it happy. Bat plants aren’t too spooked by pests; however, they are a bit fussy about their growing conditions to perform their best. Never fear: They’re a bewitching and unique choice for a massed shady ground cover and are certain to become a conversation piece in your Southwest Florida landscape.

Contact ArtisTree Landscape

ArtisTree Landscape Maintenance & Design proudly serves Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties. To get your landscape renovation off the ground, contact Jenni Lassen at 941.488.8897 to meet with one of our award-winning designers.

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