Bat Plant Care

Cultivating

• Although you can purchase bat plants from the Internet, and occasionally find them at greenhouses or garden centers--particularly in the southern states, most bat plants are started from seeds, which are readily available. Bat plants can be challenging to grow, either as purchased plants or from seeds, mostly because of the consistent warm environment they need.
  Plant seeds in a well-draining potting mix that will retain moisture. You may wish to mix some perlite or peat moss in with the potting mix for better drainage. Plant the seeds about 1 inch deep into the pre-moistened soil. After planting the seeds, place the pot or flat in a clear plastic bag and seal it with a rubber band. This will create a level moisture level for the seeds. Place the covered pot in indirect light. A crucial factor to having successful germination of bat plant seeds is to keep the soil temperature high and steady. If at all possible, the covered pot should be in the 80 to 85 degree F temperature range. The seeds will take anywhere from one month to up to nine months to germinate, so be patient.

Plant Care

• When the seedlings are 3 or 4 inches tall, transplant them into larger pots with a mixture of peat moss and perlite for good drainage and moisture retention. Bat plants do well in filtered or indirect light with warm temperatures and high humidity. Frequently mist your bat plant. During the plant's growing season (spring and summer), fertilize it with a weakened solution of liquid fertilizer every two weeks. During the bat plant's dormant period in the winter, do not fertilize and cut back on watering to allow the soil to slightly dry out. In its dormant state, the bat plant prefers temperatures in the upper 60 degrees F, as opposed to the 75 to 80 degree F temperature range during the growing season. It may take your bat plant up to three years to bloom if it is started from seed, but it is well worth the wait.