Prior to blooming, the white bat flower (Tacca integrifolia) may resemble a typical plant. When it happens, the plant kingdom’s oddest and most stunning flowers unfold. It has long, whisker-like bracts that can extend up to a foot in length that hang beneath its clusters of purple flowers. The plant’s “bat wings” are two widely flared, white bracts that resemble flower petals and are located above the flowers.
Light
Asian rainforests are the natural habitat of bat plant, which grow there in the moist understory’s shade. So choose a location that receives low to moderate light if you’re planting your bat plant outside. The plant requires bright to moderate light inside, although direct sunlight should be avoided.
Soil
The soil should be rich, loose, and well-draining for the plant. It can withstand slightly sandy soil when grown outdoors. Additionally, to promote drainage and airflow while planting inside, you can use an orchid potting mix or incorporate some perlite into a peat-based potting soil.
Water
The bat plant prefers to be evenly damp but not wet in order to be healthy. If you maintain the plant in a pot, it usually has to be watered twice a week during the growing season. However, throughout the winter when its development slows, you can let it to gradually dry.
Temperature and Humidity
In its hardiness zones, the bat plant can be grown outside all year long, but if the temperature comes close to freezing, it struggles to survive. It enjoys tropical temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, it needs to be shielded from wind, which can harm the plant’s foliage and cause it to burn. The bat plant also does well in humid environments. In an indoor pot, the humidity level can be raised by spraying the plant frequently or setting it on a tray of water with pebbles.
Fertilizer
The plant is a moderate feeder and will benefit from a biweekly feeding of house plant food or orchid fertilizer during its growing season (spring to autumn). For indoor bat plant, fertilizing plant spikes can be effective as well.
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