Titan Arum (Corpse Flower)

EXTENDED HOURS

The Titan Arum is expected to open tonight, Tuesday, July 14! We will be open Tuesday, 7/14 and Wednesday, 7/15 from 10am to 8pm for the Titan Arum (Corpse Flower) bloom.

7/14/26 Update: The titan absolutely teased us last night with several signs that it was about to open. The spathe continued pulling away from the spadix and there was noticeable movement throughout the evening. Alas, it decided to hold on for one more night!

Today is the day—The height remains unchanged this morning, while the width has increased by another 2 inches, which we believe is due to the spathe continuing to pull away from the spadix. Several staff members have already noticed the titan’s distinctive fragrance this morning, though it is still relatively light and will become much stronger once the spathe fully opens. The spathe is now open a couple of inches near the top around the spadix, and a sizeable gap has formed where the spathe overlaps itself.

Frequently asked questions:

How long does it take to fully open? When is the best time to see it?

The titan usually begins opening in the afternoon or evening and then opens fairly rapidly over the next 10–12 hours. Within the first 1–2 hours, the spathe may already have opened 1–2 feet. A fully open spathe can reach 4 feet or more across. It is typically completely open by the early morning hours (around 2 a.m.), when its natural pollinators are most active. The spathe generally remains fully open for about 24 hours after opening begins. The best time to visit is the afternoon or evening that it opens, when the odor is at its strongest and you’ll likely see the greatest amount of fly activity around the titan. The following morning also offers the best opportunity to view the spectacular, fully open spathe.
Does it smell yet? When can I smell it?

While there are faint hints of the odor right now, the characteristic scent isn’t produced until the female and male flowers become receptive after the spathe begins to open. There are typically two distinct waves of odor, each corresponding with one of the flowering phases. The scent will linger even after the flowers are no longer receptive and the spathe remains open, but it won’t be nearly as pungent as during those peak periods.

Photo taken: July 14, 2026 at 7:30am

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.

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.