{"product_id":"green-bat-plant-tacca-chantrieri","title":"Green Bat Plant - Tacca chantrieri","description":"\u003cp\u003eGreen Bat Plant (\u003cem\u003eTacca chantrieri\u003c\/em\u003e) is the shade plant people stop and photograph. It grows 60cm to 1m tall and up to 1m wide, with large, lush leaves and olive green flowers that trail long, dangling whiskers like bats in flight. It comes from tropical rainforest, so it wants warmth, humidity and filtered shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers like nothing else.\u003c\/strong\u003e The olive green, bat shaped blooms and their long whiskers are strange enough that visitors always ask what the plant is.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage that carries the look.\u003c\/strong\u003e Large decorative leaves give a lush, jungle feel even when the plant is not in flower.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade for shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It thrives in the indirect light where many flowering plants sulk, outdoors in a tropical bed or indoors by a bright window.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHappy in a pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e A container keeps it close for admiring, and lets cool climate gardeners move it under cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEasy to share.\u003c\/strong\u003e Young plants sprout from the clump each year. Lift them, pot them up and pass them on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShaded tropical beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 80cm apart under a tree canopy or on the sheltered side of a building, where it gets indirect light and humidity. At that spacing the clumps meet in a dense, leafy layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose a pot with good drainage and a generous size, because bat plants like room and need repotting each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIndoors.\u003c\/strong\u003e In a bright room with indirect light, it makes a distinctive feature plant. Spritz the leaves with water to keep humidity up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Green Bat Plant in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in shade with indirect sunlight, in a frost free and humid position. Outdoors that means tropical and subtropical gardens. Further south, grow it in a pot on a sheltered verandah in the warm months and bring it inside before cold weather. Frost will damage it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining soil is essential. In garden beds, mix in a handful of sand. In pots, check the drainage holes before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water regularly for the first 12 weeks or until the plant is established, then keep it evenly moist. Feed twice a year with a fertiliser made for acid loving plants, such as azalea and camellia food. For best results add a liquid feed every two to four weeks in the warm months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e None is needed. Simply remove old leaves to keep it tidy. Foliage may die back in the cooler months as the plant rests, so clear the spent leaves and protect it from frost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Green Bat Plant as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Expect a small, leafy plant rather than one in flower. Bat flowers come as the clump matures, which can take a season or two, and warmth and humidity speed it along. Pot it up promptly and keep it out of direct sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/designing-a-tropical-garden-that-looks-lush-year-round\"\u003eDesigning a lush tropical garden that stays green\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eExplore more tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/palms-ferns-tropical\"\u003ePalms, ferns and tropical foliage\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/indoor-exotic-plants-guide\"\u003eGrowing exotic tropicals indoors\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Give it a bright spot with indirect light, a pot with good drainage and regular misting. Keep it away from harsh direct sun and from cold draughts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy have the leaves died back?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFoliage can die back in the cooler months while the plant is dormant. Remove the spent leaves, protect it from frost and keep it just moist. New growth returns with the warmth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I repot it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce a year. Bat plants love plenty of room, and the annual repot is also the moment to lift off young plants that have sprouted and pot them separately.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67787181424959,"sku":"TAC-CHA-tube","price":45.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67787181457727,"sku":"TAC-CHA-140MM-P10","price":262.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67787181490495,"sku":"TAC-CHA-200MM-P6","price":281.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/green-bat-plant-tacca-chantrieri.jpg?v=1792150436","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/green-bat-plant-tacca-chantrieri","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}