I've just received some seedlings of Tacca laevis the Green Bat Plant. They seem to grow very simular to the Tacca integrifolia The White Bat Plant. I grow heaps of the White and it does very well. Has anyone grown the green before and can they give me any tips or suggestions.

As this is a fairly new plant to Australia, I thought I'd try this site.

Thanks in advance.

It's an interesting site.We call the Tacca nivea, Tacca integrifolia over here.

I’ve potted about 30 seedlings into 100mm pots (4 inch) with a well drained organic rich mix. I’m watering regularly, but also keeping up the humidity with misting, as this is our summer. We are having a warm to cool summer with days between 25C-35C (sorry don’t know what that is in Fahrenheit). We have had one heat wave, which peaked at 46.5C in the shade with another about to hit over the next few days, so I’m watching the water level. So far, so good.

No idea how long before they flower. The black (T. chantrieri) is quick, but the White (T. integrifolia or T. nivea) takes years. If someone can tell me how to post a photo on this site I’d show you what it looks like. It’s beautiful like a jade green Black Bat plant with mulberry tones.

Rob H

As you may recall, you advised me on how to germinate my integrifolia seeds, thank you. Happy to report that I now have sturdy, healthy looking seedlings so far, but worry about them when they get bigger. Any growing tips? Two years to flower?

Hope your laevis grows well for you, Karen.