How to Plant Tacca Chantrieri from the Bulb

Tacca chantrieri is the botanical name of the plant more commonly known as Bat Flower. The name comes from the appearance of the flower, which stands at the top of a tall stem and is dark brown or maroon with wide petals resembling bat wings. It is native to Asia but grows in the United States as a potted plant that is kept indoors during winter in most states. The Tacca chantrieri thrives outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11. It grows from a bulb, which is simple to plant correctly.

10-inch diameter plant pot with drainage holes
Potting soil mix designed for orchids
Shallow dish
Small pebbles

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a 10-inch diameter plant pot, which has bottom drainage holes, 3/4 full of a potting soil mix designed for orchids, which drains water better than other formulations.
- 2
  Insert one Tacca chantrieri bulb horizontally on top of the soil in the pot, and cover it with potting soil so that the bulb is 1 inch below soil.
- 3
  Carry the pot to a sink, and water the top of the soil until it drains from the pot's bottom drainage holes. Let the pot sit in the sink for one to two minutes to allow excess water to drain.
- 4
  Fill a shallow dish with small pebbles, and add enough water to almost reach the dish's top. Set the Tacca chantrieri 's pot on top of the dish. The dish of water will increase humidity near the plant and recreate its native tropical environment.
- 5
  Set the pot near a window that receives very bright sunlight but not direct sun rays. Stand in the location to ensure it has no drafts from heating or air conditioning vents, both of which will cause the plant to deteriorate.

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