Bat Plant Quintessence

By Leslie Wilson
(INHA, GRMT, WMA)
About…
Bat Plant or Devil Flower, Tacca chantrieri, is native to Southeast Asia. The purple-
black flower looks somewhat like a flying bat, a sinister face or a mean cat with
lots of whiskers. Tacca chantrieri is grown in shade with filtered light and perfect
wind protection. Use a rich organic soil mix with good drainage. Bat Plant could
be a houseplant with high humidity.

It sports large leaves and also has long tread-like filaments as its whiskers. The
foliage is a much lighter green and the flowers are white rather than purple-
black. It is so named for the white or black bracts (modified leaves) that rise like a
bat's wings above the cluster of purple, black or dark red flowers. Below the
flowers droop "whiskers" (also bracts) that can be up to a foot long. Care of the
bat plant is similar to that of other tropical plants in that it prefers lots of water
and warm temperatures.
Soil and Container
Bat plants are most commonly grown in containers. Choose a container that is
two sizes larger than the one that came with your purchased plant. Make sure the
new container has drainage holes in the bottom and a water catch tray. Purchase
potting soil that is made for orchids, as these plants have the same care
requirements as orchids. Fill the container with half of the soil, then remove the
bat plant from its purchased pot and place it in the new container. Fill the rest of
the container with more soil, tamping it down firmly. Water thoroughly.
 Plant Type: Perennial

Description: Leaves are paddle-shaped, standing about two feet (60cm)

high. The inflorescence is taller, with dark, wing-shaped bracts
backing a groups of dark flowers and long filaments that hang
down in a form suggesting a bat in flight.

Origin: Malaysia

Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse

Foliage: Yes

Flowering: Yes

Season:

Fragrant: No

Growing Ease: Requires a little extra care

Temperature: 60-85°F, 16-29°C

Humidity: Medium humidity

Lighting Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the

Needs: South/East/West

Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water
yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it
is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it
seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in
before going back to whatever fertilization program has been
successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part
garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or
humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot
with a hole.
 Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful
as it could be acidic. Use warm water.

Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks during the spring and summer with a
water soluble fertilizer.

Plant Pests: Prone to none Always inspect any new plant for pests before
introducing it to your home or greenhouse.

Propagation: Division and seeds in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the
plant's regular potting mix. It is best to propagate seeds in a
mixture of moist peat and perlite. Cover the pot and plant with
a plastic bag secured by a rubber band to prevent the moisture
from escaping. Place in indirect sunlight or under a fluorescent
light. Repot in its regular mix after it has been growing for a
while.

Gardening The plant goes dormant in the fall and should be kept dry and
Tips & Care: warm until spring when you resume watering. The root is the
source of the starch arrowroot.

Is Genus: No
 Bat Face Mexican Heather Plant - Indoors/Out -
Cuphea

Description…
The popularity of Mexican Heather exploded in the 1980s, and this plant, is still
an excellent choice.

The first species that comes to mind is the bat-faced cuphea, or Cuphea llavea.
Summer's heat will not stop these unique flowers that look like bat faces with
scarlet red petals and little, purple mouse ears. The stems become slightly
woody, arching and weather-tough. These are low maintenance,drought-
tolerant, heat-loving plants. They also make great house plants or patio plants.

Some species of Cuphea are used to produce cuphea oil, as sources of medium-
chain triglycerides, cuphea oil that is identical to coconut oil and palm oil; these
are derived from strictly tropical plants. Cuphea may produce a valuable source
of income for farmers in temperate regions by supplementing coconut and palm
 oil. Cuphea has also been shown to improve agricultural crops in North America
when used in crop rotation.

Tacca chantrieri, or Bat Flower, is a dramatic and exotic plant native to the jungle
regions of Southeast Asia. When growing the Bat Flower it is important to keep in
mind that you’re trying to recreate the jungle‐like environment in which it
thrives.

Tacca is hardy outdoors in zones 10 and 11. This means that most of us in North
America will need to protect the plant when night time temperatures dip below
55 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Bat Flower can be a finicky plant when it is grown out of its native region.
Many gardeners and tropical plant enthusiasts choose to grow it as a container
plant because it allows them greater control over its growing conditions.

Choose a container that is at least 10” in diameter. The plant will grow quite
large in one season and a larger pot will provide stability and prevent it from
tipping over.

Plant only one bulb per pot. Bat Flowers are heavy feeders and drinkers and will
compete with each other for fertilizer and water if they are planted too closely.

Use a light well‐draining potting mix. Some experts recommend using an

“orchid mix” because these specialty mixes are very well draining. Remember,
while the plant needs to have well‐draining soil to avoid rotting the bulb, it will
still need copious amounts of water throughout the summer season to achieve
its full height.

Place your plant in a bright location where it will not receive any direct sunlight,
this is called “bright shade.” Avoid locations that are too dark and shady
because it will impede blooming.

Keep the plant protected from drying winds. If you live in a dry region of the
country promote high levels of humidity around the plant. Set out shallow pans
of water that will evaporate and boost the humidity in the air right around the
plant.

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every other week.

In late summer or early fall begin to withhold water and fertilizer. This will
encourage the plant to go into dormancy.
When the leaves have turned yellow and died back they can be removed and
the bulb can be brought inside in its pot. Be sure that it is inside before
nighttime temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Store it in a warm, dark, dry place; a laundry room or pantry would be perfect.
Do not water the plant, but do not allow it to become bone dry. A light spritz of
water once a month should be enough.

In spring, two to three weeks before average nighttime temperatures are

expected to remain above 55, move the Bat Flower to a sunny window and
bring it out of dormancy by watering it. Start off slowly with just a little bit of
water and gradually increase the amounts of water as the foliage begins to
grow.

Move the plant back outdoors when there is no danger of cold temperatures.

In folk medicine…
Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants for their bold foliage and
large flowers. The well-known T. chantrieri goes by the names of Black Bat
Flower, Bat-head Lily, Devil Flower or Cat's Whiskers. Tacca integrifolia is known
as the Purple or White Bat Flower.

Aborigines drink a preparation made from the root to treat diarrhea.

The tuber is used overseas to make arrowroot.

Used in folk medicine for the treatment of carbuncles, skin abrasion, skin diseases
and various kinds of cancer.

Tacca species are used against slugs and snails

Used in Argentina folk medicine for antimicrobial activity

Its rhizomes have been used in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of
gasteric ulcer, enterists, and hepatitis.
 i

ATTUNEMENT…
There are no pre-requisites for this attunement. The attunement is based on intent
and may be sent as intent or as chi ball. Always ask your higher sources to be with
you and always thank them for their assistance. Whatever procedure you do to align
with receiving attunements please continue to do them for this attunement as well.
This system is free of charge, and it shall always be passed as a gift to others! You
are free to share this manual as long as it is kept intact.

Disclaimer: All information in this document is for spiritual and enjoyment purposes only and not meant to treat any
disease or illness. If you are not well, please seek the attention of a properly licensed professional immediately.