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The bat flower is a great novelty plant that adds unique flair to any home gardeners collection. Bat flowers require similar growing conditions to orchids, but they are actually part of the yam family. Whether indoors or out, the bat flower care guide below will help your plants thrive and take flight.
The delightfully unusual bat faced cuphea (Cuphea llavea) is a real show stopper with its purple and red tubular flowers resembling bats in flight While mainly grown outdoors in warm climates, bat faced cuphea can also thrive in containers, allowing gardeners in cooler zones to enjoy these exotic beauties. With proper care tailored to pot culture, your bat faced cuphea will reward you with exotic blooms indoors and out
Choosing the Right Pot for Bat Faced Cuphea
Picking an appropriate container is key for growing healthy bat faced cuphea plants. Look for pots that:
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Are at least 12-16 inches wide and deep – Bat faced cuphea has an extensive root system and needs room
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Have drainage holes – Good drainage prevents root rot in these tropical natives
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Are lightweight – Choose plastic, resin, or fiberglass pots for easy moving.
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Complement the flowers – Opt for neutral earth tone or colored pots that spotlight the vibrant blooms.
Place pots outdoors in warm weather and bring plants inside before cold temperatures arrive. Make sure indoor spaces have sufficient light from a sunny window.
Providing the Right Potting Mix
Bat faced cuphea thrives in a potting mix that retains moisture but also drains well. The ideal mix contains:
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Peat moss – Improves moisture retention
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Perlite or vermiculite – Lightens the mix and enhances drainage
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Compost – Supplies nutrients for growth
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Coarse sand or small bark chips – Allows airflow to roots
Avoid regular garden soil, which can become too dense. Check that the mix drains well by watering and letting excess flow out the bottom.
Caring for Bat Faced Cuphea Plants in Pots
With the right container and soil, bat faced cuphea will flourish with simple care:
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Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Fertilize monthly during active growth with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
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Situate in bright, indirect light indoors. Provide some shade outdoors.
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Prune lightly to promote bushy growth. Pinch off spent flowers.
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Mist leaves frequently to boost humidity around plants.
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Rotate pots periodically so all sides receive light.
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Watch for pests like whiteflies, aphids, or spider mites. Treat promptly.
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Repot annually into a slightly larger container. Do this in spring.
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Bring plants indoors before fall frost. Provide supplemental lighting if needed.
With attentive care, your bat faced cuphea should thrive season after season in a container, wowing you with its unique flowers! Adjust your care according to the plants’ needs, and enjoy growing this exotic tropical in pot culture.
How to Grow Bat Flower
Bat flowers are hardy in USDA zones 10-12, so gardeners in these areas can grow the beautiful and unique bat flower outdoors. But in colder climates, you can grow frilly bat flowers inside. You can also put plants outside during the summer and move them back indoors once temperatures drop below 45 F. (7 C.). Take care to keep your bat flower away from direct sun as well.
When growing this plant outside, plant it in the shade. Care of bat flowers indoors should include a shady location as well, and yearly repotting for the rapidly growing plant. This plant does not like to be root bound. Repot bat flowers in up to a 10 or 12 inch (25-31 cm.) pot.
After that, trim the roots and return to the same size pot if you want to keep plants smaller. Well-draining soil is a must when growing Tacca bat flowers. It should remain slightly moist. Soil should be light and able to retain moisture, but never be soggy.
Try making your own potting mix by adding perlite and vermiculite to a good peat based soil. Plants growing outdoors benefit from sand in the soil, but not too much. Bat flowers should be allowed to dry out during dormancy. Keep this in mind when caring for bat flowers during their dormant period in autumn and winter. In warmer areas, bat flowers do not experience dormancy.
Information About Bat Flowers
The bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) is an exotic plant with flowers that mimic a bat in flight, deep purple with ruffled wings, and long, hanging filaments. Indoor blooms and those outside in semi-tropical climates may appear in spring and last until early autumn.
Large, attractive leaves surround the flowers. Growing bat flowers requires a little extra care, but blossoms of this unusual specialty plant make the work worthwhile. An interesting bit of bat flower info is that large plants usually have a greater rate of success than smaller ones.
Bat Plant /Tacca /Repotting & Care 🙂
FAQ
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