Also known as Bat Flower · 1 gardener saves
Tacca: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tacca, the genus most gardeners know as bat flower. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Tacca varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlack Bat Flower
Tacca chantrieri
#2 most savedPolynesian Arrowroot
Tacca pinnatifida
#3 most savedBlack Bat Flower
Tacca mantis
How to grow Tacca
What the Tacca varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tacca year
- FertilizeApril–August100% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during active growth.
- PlantMay67% of varieties
Plant rhizomes in containers after all danger of frost has passed.
- Winter PrepSeptember67% of varieties
Move container indoors before temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
- Check for PestsJune–August67% of varieties
Check for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in high humidity.
Do
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Provide partial shade to prevent leaf scorch
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Use organic mulch to conserve moisture
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight ❌
- Avoid over-fertilizing which can cause leaf burn
- Do not disturb roots during flowering
What goes wrong with Tacca
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew on leaves and distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil spray |
| Mealybugs | White, cottony clusters on stems | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves with decayed roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
| Leaf Spot | Brown or black spots on leaves | Remove affected foliage and apply fungicide |
Making more Tacca
Seed sowing
- Tuck seeds into moist soil, cover lightly, and keep warm
- Maintain soil temperature at 75°F for 6 weeks
- Keep soil consistently moist and in partial shade
Root cuttings
- Extract healthy rhizomes in early spring
- Plant cuttings in moist, well-draining soil
- Maintain high humidity for 4 weeks until roots develop
Tacca questions
How many types of Tacca are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Tacca varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tacca grow in?
Across its varieties, Tacca covers USDA Zones 9–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tacca bloom?
Most Tacca varieties bloom in late summer, late spring to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tacca should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Tacca shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Tacca in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
