Tacca chantrieri 'Green Mystery'

RHS Plant Profile
cat's whiskers 'Green Mystery'
cat's whiskers 'Green Mystery' RHS
Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial

A lush, clump-forming perennial to 1m with large, lance-shaped leaves, dark green above, paler beneath, on long stems. In summer, stems up to 65cm tall carry clusters of small, pale green flowers with four large, pale green, leaf-like bracts and long, pale green 'whiskers', all suffused with grey

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Moisture
Well–drained
pH

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Taccaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Tacca are a genus of flowering plants native to tropical regions such as South America, South East Asia, Africa and Australia. Also known as the 'Bat' plant, because the flowers look similar to a bat in flight, they have lush, green foliage and dark purple to black flowers with whiskery brachts
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in a warm greenhouse in a mix of equal parts leaf mould and coarse bark, with added slow-release fertiliser, in bright, filtered light. Water well all year, misting and feeding half-strength foliar feed in summer. Repot every two to three years, discarding old, decaying rhizomes

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to red spider mite and tarsonomid mites

Diseases

May be susceptible to grey mould