A face that only a planter could love — the Monkey Face Flower is less a single species and more a nickname shared by two wildly different showstoppers: the trailing, white-fuzzy Monkey Tail Cactus (Hildewintera colademononis) and the otherworldly Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri). Each one stops visitors cold with a look that borders on zoological. The challenge is knowing which one matches your light, your humidity, and your patience level. Pick wrong, and you end up with a stem that sulks instead of a conversation piece that thrives.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I parse hundreds of owner reports and nursery spec sheets to separate healthy genetics from shipping gambles, so you don’t have to learn the hard way which sellers pack with care and which ones ship a single sad stub.
This guide weighs live plant condition, root readiness, and realistic indoor needs to find the best monkey face flower for your shelf, your skill level, and your desire for something that actually looks alive and growing — not just a quirky pot.
How To Choose The Best Monkey Face Flower
“Monkey Face Flower” is a nickname applied to at least two distinct plants: the Monkey Tail Cactus (Hildewintera colademononis) with its long, white-hairy trailing stems, and the Black Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri) with its dark, winged blooms. Your choice depends entirely on whether you want ongoing trailing foliage or a dramatic seasonal flower display.
Monkey Tail Cactus vs. Black Bat Flower — Which One Fits Your Home?
Monkey Tail Cactus thrives in bright, direct light and dry indoor air. It’s a low-maintenance succulent that trails beautifully from a hanging basket, producing pink-red flowers once mature. The Black Bat Flower, by contrast, needs high humidity, consistent moisture, and partial shade. It’s a tropical houseplant that rewards patient growers with alien-looking black blooms but punishes neglect quickly. Choose based on your existing environment — don’t expect a single plant to handle both conditions.
Shipping Condition: Bare Root vs. Potted
Most live plant listings ship bare root to reduce weight and soil mess. Bare root plants require immediate potting into a well-draining mix (cactus mix for the monkey tail, peat-based mix for the bat flower). Potted shipments arrive with roots already settled, reducing transplant shock. If you’re a beginner, prioritize listings that explicitly mention being shipped in a nursery pot with soil.
Stem Count and Plant Maturity
Owner reviews repeatedly highlight disappointment when a Monkey Tail Cactus arrives as a single 3–5 inch tail. Look for listings that guarantee multiple stems or a mature cluster. For the Black Bat Flower, a 5–9 inch plant with multiple leaves and a visible rhizome has a much higher survival rate than a single leaf cutting. Ignore the stock photo — read the recent reviews for real size photos.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trailing Monkey Tail Cactus | Live Cactus | Hanging basket with trailing stems | 3-6″ bare root, multiple stems | Amazon |
| Black Bat Flower | Tropical Houseplant | Unique black blooms in high humidity | 5-9″ tall in 4″ pot | Amazon |
| Plus Size Swing Face Planter | Planter Pot | Displaying any trailing plant as a “face” | 5.3″ x 7.1″ resin, S-hook included | Amazon |
| Monkey Tail Cactus 4 Inch Pot | Potted Cactus | Newbies wanting a potted start | 4″ pot, organic material | Amazon |
| AVERGO Wildflower Growing Kit | Seed Kit | DIY growing from seed with full kit | Complete set with box & tools | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Trailing Monkey Tail Cactus Live Plant
This is the closest you’ll get to a guaranteed healthy start for a Monkey Tail Cactus. Owner reviews consistently report 5–6 inch specimens with strong roots and two or more stems per shipment — exactly what you need to create a full hanging basket without waiting a year for a single tail to branch. The packing method keeps the bareroot cactus intact during transit, and multiple buyers note new shoots appearing within two weeks of potting.
The plant is suited for USDA zones 9–11 outdoors, but thrives as a low-maintenance indoor succulent in any zone as long as it gets bright, direct sunlight and a fast-draining cactus mix. The trailing stems can grow up to 3 feet long, making it a natural fit for the swing face planters also featured in this guide. The bright red-pink flowers are a bonus once the plant reaches maturity.
Some buyers receive a single stem rather than the cluster shown in the best reviews, though this seems to be the exception. The bareroot format requires you to pot it immediately — don’t leave it sitting in the shipping packaging for a day or two. Overall, this is the top pick for collectors who want a rare succulent that delivers on visual impact and strong growth.
What works
- Multiple healthy stems reported in most shipments
- Fast rooting and new growth within two weeks
- Excellent packing that protects the delicate spines
What doesn’t
- Bare root requires immediate potting — not for procrastinators
- Some shipments arrive as a single stem, not a cluster
2. Black Bat Flower Tacca Chantrieri Live Plant
If you want the true “monkey face” look — the one with the actual flower that resembles a bat face — this is the plant. The Black Bat Flower produces jet-black blooms with long whisker-like bracts that create an unmistakable visage. This listing ships a well-rooted plant in a 4-inch nursery pot, standing 5 to 9 inches tall. Several owners report receiving a healthy specimen that made an excellent gift, with the plant continuing to grow and establish after arrival.
This is not a beginner plant. Tacca chantrieri requires consistent humidity, moderate watering, and a warm environment (zones 10–12 outdoors or a humidified indoor space). It prefers sandy, well-draining soil and partial sun — direct scorching light will fry the leaves. In the right conditions, the blooming period stretches from spring through fall, providing months of those otherworldly flowers.
There is a split in buyer experience: some received a plant that died within a week, while others rave about a healthy gift that thrived. This inconsistency likely comes from shipping delays or temperature stress during transit. If you purchase, inspect immediately upon arrival and contact the seller if the plant looks wilted or has damaged roots. The heirloom designation adds a layer of appeal for collectors who value genetic lineage.
What works
- True tropical rarity with unmistakable blooms
- Potted in a 4-inch nursery pot for easier transition
- Heirloom genetics for serious collectors
What doesn’t
- High humidity demands — struggles in dry indoor air
- Inconsistent survival rates depending on shipping conditions
3. Plus Size Swing Face Planter Pot
This planter is how you turn any trailing plant into a literal “monkey face.” The design features a smiling child-like face with a hollow top where you plant String of Pearls, Chain of Hearts, or Spider Plant — the stems become the hair. The upgraded “plus size” version measures 5.3 x 7.1 inches, large enough to accommodate a 4-inch nursery pot inside. Owners consistently praise the thick resin build, neutral color, and the securely attached hanging rope that allows a gentle swing.
Functionally, the planter allows decent airflow to the roots and drains excess water through the bottom hole — though a handful of owners note that water can drip from the eye or mouth openings if you overwater. The included S-hook and longer string make it easy to mount on a wall hook or ceiling bracket. It works beautifully indoors next to a bright window where the trailing stems can cascade down the face.
The main drawback is the hanging line: several buyers describe it as thin, cheap twine that doesn’t match the quality of the resin pot. A quick swap to a nylon cord solves the issue permanently. If you want a display piece that sparks conversation, this planter combined with the Monkey Tail Cactus from product #1 creates the perfect visual gag — a real monkey face made of living tails.
What works
- Thick, well-made resin that feels substantial
- Fits a standard 4-inch nursery pot inside
- Gentle swing motion adds visual interest
What doesn’t
- Hanging string is thin cheap twine — needs upgrade
- Water can drip from facial openings if overfilled
4. Monkey Tail Cactus Hildewintera colademononis 4 Inch Pot
This listing offers a Monkey Tail Cactus already planted in a 4-inch pot with organic soil material — a convenience that eliminates the immediate potting step required by bare root plants. For beginners who aren’t comfortable handling cactus spines and mixing soil, this potted start removes the biggest point of friction. Owner reviews mention a generally healthy arrival, with several buyers noting the plant met their size expectations and continued to grow well after a few weeks.
The trade-off is that the cactus often ships as a single tail rather than a cluster. Multiple owners report receiving only one stem, which can look sparse in the pot until it branches out on its own. It will eventually produce offsets, but that takes patience — weeks to months depending on light and watering frequency. The organic material feature is nice for purists who prefer natural growing media, but you should still mix in perlite or pumice to improve drainage for this cactus.
Another complaint is that some shipments arrive bare root despite the listing suggesting a pot — read the recent reviews before ordering to see if the seller has fixed this inconsistency. If you get a potted version, it’s a solid entry-level buy for someone who wants a low-fuss Monkey Tail Cactus without the immediate transplant work.
What works
- Arrives potted in organic soil — saves a step
- Healthy arrival reported by multiple buyers
- Good size for a desk or shelf display
What doesn’t
- Often ships as a single tail, not a cluster
- Some orders arrive bare root despite listing claim
5. AVERGO Wildflower Seed Mix Growing Kit
While this is not a live Monkey Face Flower, it’s the only seed-based option in the category and a fantastic introduction to indoor gardening for someone who wants to grow something with “face” potential. The kit includes a wooden box, burlap planters, soil discs, and a wildflower seed mix that includes perennial and annual varieties. Owners rave about how quickly the seeds sprout — some reported flowers within three days — making it a near-instant gratification project.
The wildflower mix is designed for USDA zone 3 and above, meaning it handles cooler indoor environments well. The complete packaging makes it an ideal gift for kids, grandparents, or anyone who wants a meditative gardening activity without sourcing separate components. The burlap planters inside the wooden box also look decorative on a shelf or windowsill, blending with natural decor styles.
The downside is that not every batch of seeds germinates reliably. One reviewer noted the plants sprouted but then stalled and didn’t grow into full flowers. Another appreciated that the company offered a refund after seeing the complaint, indicating good customer service. If you’re looking specifically for the trailing cactus or bat flower, this kit won’t satisfy that need — but if you want a low-cost, high-engagement gateway into gardening, it’s a solid entry.
What works
- Complete kit — no extra tools or soil needed
- Fast germination (3 days in many reports)
- Great gift presentation with wooden box and tools
What doesn’t
- No actual monkey face plant — just generic wildflowers
- Germination success varies batch to batch
Hardware & Specs Guide
Stem Count vs. Visual Impact
A Monkey Tail Cactus with a single 4-inch stem looks like a sad green worm. The visual “monkey tail” effect requires at least 3–5 stems cascading over the pot edge. Listings that guarantee multiple stems or show clusters in customer photos are worth the premium. Bare root plants with 2+ stems and visible new shoots give the best head start toward a full-looking basket within a month of potting.
USDA Zone Compatibility & Indoor Care
The Monkey Tail Cactus thrives indoors in any zone as a houseplant, but the Black Bat Flower requires zone 10–12 outdoor warmth or a humidity-controlled indoor environment. Even in ideal indoor conditions, the bat flower needs a pebble tray or humidifier to prevent leaf browning during dry winter months. Zone compatibility dictates whether you can place the plant outside during warm months or keep it strictly as a windowsill specimen.
FAQ
Is the Monkey Tail Cactus the same as the Monkey Face Flower?
How long does a bare root Monkey Tail Cactus take to establish?
Can I grow a Monkey Tail Cactus from seed?
Why does my Black Bat Flower keep dying?
What’s the best planter for a Monkey Tail Cactus to create the “face” look?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best monkey face flower winner is the Trailing Monkey Tail Cactus Live Plant because it offers reliable growth, multiple stems, and the most recognizable “monkey tail” look with minimal care requirements. If you want a truly rare tropical bloomer that stops everyone in their tracks, grab the Black Bat Flower Tacca Chantrieri. And for the ultimate display gag — a planter that makes the cactus look like living hair — nothing beats the Plus Size Swing Face Planter Pot.