This plant is sometimes also referred to as tiger beard or cat’s whiskers due to its long bracteoles that look like whiskers. The purple variety is a dark dusky color that ranges from maroon to purple but often looks black. A white flowering variety (Tacca integrifolia) grows twice as large as the black variety. Dramatic in the garden, bat flowers do not survive long in a vase and aren’t good as a cut flower. The bat flower will bloom from late spring through early fall with new blooms appearing repeatedly throughout the season.
Light
The bat flower requires warm temperatures but prefers a shady location. Plant it where it receives indirect light, on the north side of a house, preferably in a setting with additional tropical understory plants.
Soil
Bat flower needs a rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Amending soil with peat moss, pine bark, and compost may prove necessary to increase drainage. For container growing, use a rich potting medium with 50 percent soil, 40 percent amendments and 10 percent perlite for good drainage.
Water
After planting, keep the soil moist and water consistently. Bat flowers should not be allowed to dry out for too long, but make sure the planting location has good drainage.
Fertilizer
Black bat flowers benefit from fertilizing. Using a liquid fertilizer suitable for orchids is appropriate, applied every week, or use a general slow-release fertilizer.
Temperature and Humidity
Because bat flowers are semi-tropical plants, they do not tolerate cold temperatures. If the temperature goes below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, bat flowers can die. They are happiest when the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can also be grown indoors but a consistently moist environment should be provided. Using a plant mister and having a humidifier will help ensure the bat flower gets the moisture it needs.
Propagating Bat Flower
The bat flower plant can be propagated from seeds that have been allowed to dry well, but they will take some time to germinate. Harvesting the seeds from the plant requires waiting until the seed pod has matured and split open. Bat flower plants can also be propagated from a tuberous root or rhizome cutting. Divide these rhizomes in the fall, and plant them three feet apart. You can also order rhizomes from a catalog. Be patient when propagating because the rhizomes need to reach a large enough size before they will form flowers.
Growing in Containers
It’s possible to grow black bat flower in containers. If growing them indoors, locate them near a window with indirect sunlight. They also appreciate decent air circulation, as opposed to a closed greenhouse environment. Don’t allow the plant to become root-bound; keep an eye on it and repot into a bigger container as needed. Repotting once every year is a good rule of thumb. A wide shallow pot works best. You can put the containers outdoors in the summer, but avoid placing them in direct sunlight.
