Tacca integrifolia
bat flower
A lush, clump-forming perennial to 1.2m with large, lance-shaped leaves, dark green above, paler beneath, on long stems. In summer, stems up to 1m tall carry clusters of small, white, green, purple or brown flowers with four large, green or deep purple, leaf-like bracts and long pale green 'whiskers' darkening with age
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Green Purple Brown | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Taccaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Tacca are a genus of flowering plants native to tropical regions such as South America, South East Asia, Africa and Australia. Also known as the 'Bat' plant, because the flowers look similar to a bat in flight, they have lush, green foliage and dark purple to black flowers with whiskery brachts
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a warm greenhouse in a mix of equal parts leaf mould and coarse bark, with added slow-release fertiliser, in bright, filtered light. Water well all year, misting and feeding half-strength foliar feed in summer. Repot every two to three years, discarding old, decaying rhizomes
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Sub-tropical
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to red spider mite and tarsonomid mites
Diseases
May be susceptible to grey mould
Get involved
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