Bat Plants, also known as Tacca chantrieri or Black Bat Plants, are a fascinating addition to any garden due to their unique and exotic appearance. However, when it comes to their preferred growing conditions, these plants are definite shade lovers. In their natural habitat of tropical rainforests, they thrive in the damp and dark under-story, shielded from direct sunlight by the dense canopy above.
To replicate this environment in your garden, it is best to grow Bat Plants under the shade of trees. This will provide them with the low light levels and protection from direct sun that they require. In addition to creating a suitable environment, the shade provided by trees can also help maintain the required moisture levels that these plants prefer.
If you don’t have the option of growing Bat Plants under the shade of trees, you can still cultivate them by using shade cloth. A shade cloth with a cut of 50-75% is ideal for these plants, as it will filter out a significant amount of sunlight while still allowing some light to reach the leaves. This will help prevent the plants from getting scorched or stressed by excessive sunlight.
In my personal experience, I have found that Bat Plants can be quite sensitive to direct sun exposure. When I initially tried growing them in an area with partial sun, I noticed that the leaves started to yellow and wilt. However, once I moved them to a shadier spot, they quickly perked up and began to thrive. This confirmed to me the importance of providing these plants with the right amount of shade.
To summarize, Bat Plants prefer shade over direct sunlight. They are naturally found in the dark and damp under-story of tropical rainforests, and replicating these conditions in your garden is key to their success. Whether it is by growing them under the shade of trees or using shade cloth, ensuring that they are protected from excessive sun exposure will help them thrive and maintain their unique and striking appearance.
