About
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.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
CultivationGrow 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
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite and tarsonomid mites
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to grey mould