Exotic Organic Farm
Coimbatore, India
Dramatic, almost black flowers with long trailing whiskers that look like a bat in flight. A rainforest plant for shaded, humid corners.
Rare varietyHard-to-find plants, not common nursery stock.
Sold by a Coimbatore farmExotic Organic Farm, Kuppanur, Coimbatore.
Suited to Indian climateCare notes written for Indian heat, monsoon and humidity.
Packed live, WhatsApp supportAsk us anything before and after you order.
Tacca chantrieri, the black bat flower, is native to the shaded rainforest floor of Southeast Asia and southern China. Its flowers are among the strangest in the plant world: two large dark purple-black bracts spread like wings, with long whisker-like filaments hanging from the centre that can reach 30 cm or more.
Beyond the flowers, it is a handsome foliage plant, with broad glossy, pleated leaves on a clump about 60–90 cm tall. It needs shade and humidity rather than sun, which makes it a good fit for a shaded balcony, a covered garden or under trees.
| Botanical name | Tacca chantrieri |
| Common name | Black bat flower, bat plant, devil flower |
| Native to | Tropical Southeast Asia and southern China |
| Plant type | Tropical perennial from tubers |
| Flowering in India | Roughly April to October, strongest in the humid monsoon months |
| Flower | Black-purple bracts with whiskers 30 cm or longer |
| Light | Bright filtered light or 50–70% shade |
| Water | Evenly moist, never waterlogged |
| Temperature | 20–32°C; slows down below 15°C |
| Difficulty | Moderate — humidity is the key |
Written for India's heat, humidity and monsoon. These are general guidelines; adjust to your city, balcony and season, and message us if you want advice for your location.
Bright indirect light or shade-net shade. Direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves; deep shade gives fewer flowers.
Water when the top 1–2 cm of soil feels just dry. Never let it sit in water, and never let it dry out fully.
Mist the foliage, group it with other plants, or use a pebble tray. Dry air gives brown leaf edges.
Use humus-rich, airy mix: garden soil, cocopeat, leaf mould and some perlite, with slightly acidic pH (about 5.5–6.5).
Feed a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks from spring to autumn, less in cooler months.
In cooler months it may slow or lose leaves. Cut back watering, keep it warm and sheltered, and it will return.
Mature plants usually flower from around April to October, and the humid monsoon months often bring the best display. Each plant sends up several flower stems over the season, and individual blooms last for weeks. Young plants may need a season to settle before they flower. Warmth, humidity and filtered light are what trigger blooming.
Whole plant
Close-up
Leaf and bloom detailYes, near a bright window with filtered light and good humidity. Avoid hot direct sun and dry AC air.
It is easy once you match its need for shade, moisture and humidity. It does not like drying out.
Treat all ornamental plants as not for chewing. Keep it away from curious pets and children.
Yes. Bat Flower Plant is a rare plant in India and we usually hold limited stock. Message us on WhatsApp to confirm current availability before ordering.
Live plants are packed carefully and shipped from our Coimbatore farm. Message us your pin code and we will confirm the packing and delivery time for your location.
Looking for the Bat Flower Plant price in India, where to buy Bat Flower Plant online, or Tacca chantrieri care tips? This page covers all three. Bat Flower Plant is one of the rare exotic plants for sale in India at exoticfarm.in, from Exotic Organic Farm in Coimbatore, with delivery to Chennai, Bengaluru, Kerala and the rest of India (message us to confirm for your pin code).
₹2,200 · Aquatic
₹1,600 · Flowering Shrub
₹2,500 · Foliage Plant
₹1,900 · Foliage Plant
₹1,500 · Succulent
₹900 · Succulent
₹1,750 · Foliage Plant