The Conservatory is excited to share that one of our six titan arums (Amorphophallus titanum), also known as the corpse flower, has begun its bloom process as a spike has emerged! This particular plant has bloomed just once for us before, on July 17, 2023. The plant will be on display in the lower west chandelier bed in the Pacific Island Water Garden Biome starting Thursday, July 2, 2026 and is included in general admission. Daily updates will be shared on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and the website.
Photo taken: July 2, 2026
When fully opened, it will release a stench similar to rotting flesh, which attracts its pollinators of flies and beetles. This bloom will be open only for one to two days before the plant collapses into a dormant state. It will be several years before the titan arum flowers again.
While the stunningly smelly corpse plants are becoming more popular, this particular species of Amorphophallus is particularly unique because of its size. Its bloom is considered the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.
The Amorphophallus titanum is endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is native only to the Sumatran rainforests in Indonesia, where its population is currently decreasing. It is uncommon even in cultivation, as it is difficult to care for due to a variety of reasons — one being the size. In its vegetative (non-flowering) state, it can reach up to 20 feet tall. It is also infamous for being finicky and unpredictable, and can quickly succumb to rot. Cultivation also requires a lot of patience, as this plant will cycle through many vegetative states before flowering — a process that can sometimes take up to a decade. Reproducing the plant poses even more challenges, as it does not self-pollinate.
Image courtesy of US Botanical Garden
