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The mystery of the White Bat Lily - the plant with wings and whiskers. A Top Tropicals Garden Blog post.

The mystery of the White Bat Lily - the plant with wings and whiskers

White Bat Head Lily (Tacca nivea)

👻 The mystery of the White Bat Lily - the plant with wings and whiskers
  • Here's a cool shot of the White Bat Head Lily (Tacca nivea) - its dramatic white bracts that flare like wings and those wild, trailing whiskers are impossible to ignore. And it is in full bloom again at Top Tropicals - in the middle of August.
  • This plant that pulls off gothic elegance with two crisp, wing‑like white bracts hovering over a cluster of deep maroon‑black "bat‑face" flowers, complete with long, draping whiskers. Beneath it all lie crinkled, olive‑green leaves that only add to its moody charm.
  • This tropical understory native thrives in humid, shaded spaces - whether that's a greenhouse or a mossy, misty corner indoors. It's an evergreen perennial, endlessly intriguing. When it does bloom, the dark little flowers eventually yield heavy berries - just one more twist in its curious tale.
  • Looking to grow one? You'll need:

✔️High humidity, indirect light, and good air circulation
  • ✔️Rich, orchid‑style soil (think adding bark, peat, perlite to your potting mix)
  • ✔️Consistently moist - but not waterlogged - conditions
  • ✔️And to be patient: flowering often requires a couple of leaves before it even sets stems

  • It's not just a plant - it's a conversation starter, a living gothic sculpture that grows. Maybe a bit finicky? Sure. Totally worth it? Absolutely!


🛒 Add White Bat Head Lily to your collection

Tacca colors: Black, White, Green:
Tacca nivea - White Tacca - the rarest and the most wanted
Tacca chantrieri - Black Tacca
Tacca leontopetaloides - Green Tacca

📚 Learn more:
▫️Spooky Bat Head Devil Flower

#Nature_Wonders #Shade_Garden #Container_Garden
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