The Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is a rare botanical specimen famous for its massive size and notorious odor. Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, the plant produces the world’s largest unbranched inflorescence, sometimes reaching over 10 feet tall. Its common name comes from the powerful stench it emits during its short bloom, which smells distinctly like rotting flesh. This combination of impressive size and foul fragrance has made the Corpse Flower a source of fascination and a highly sought-after plant. Successfully cultivating this extraordinary plant requires a realistic look at the commitment involved.
Acquisition and Cost
Corpse Flowers can be purchased, but cost and availability vary greatly depending on the plant’s maturity. Seeds are the most accessible option, often available from specialized exotic plant nurseries or online horticultural exchanges for a relatively low price. These seeds, however, require eight to twelve years of dedicated growth before the plant reaches a size capable of blooming for the first time.
Small, young corms or tubers, typically two to three years old, are also available for purchase and can range in price from tens to hundreds of dollars. The price increases dramatically with the size of the underground corm, which stores the energy for the plant’s massive growth. Mature, blooming-size corms are extremely rare on the public market and can command thousands of dollars, often being reserved for botanical institutions.
The Amorphophallus titanum is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to habitat loss in its native range. While this status does not prevent the sale of cultivated specimens, shipping large corms can be complex and expensive. Buyers should ensure they source plants from reputable nurseries to receive healthy stock and understand any necessary phytosanitary requirements for international shipping.
Specialized Care Requirements
Successfully growing a Corpse Flower requires an environment that closely mimics its native tropical rainforest habitat. The plant demands precise environmental controls, including high humidity levels, ideally ranging from 70 to 90 percent. Optimal daytime temperatures are between 70–85°F, and nighttime temperatures should remain warm, ideally 68–80°F.
The plant spends most of its life in a vegetative phase, producing a single, gigantic leaf that can grow up to 20 feet tall. This leaf gathers energy, which is stored in the underground corm. The corm rapidly increases in size during this stage, sometimes doubling its weight and eventually growing to over 100 pounds.
This rapid growth necessitates frequent repotting into containers two to three times wider than the corm. The soil must be well-draining, often a mix of peat, pine bark, and perlite, to allow for consistent moisture without becoming waterlogged. After the leaf dies back, the plant enters a dormant period that can last from a few weeks to several months. During dormancy, watering must be significantly reduced to prevent the corm from rotting.
Anticipating the Infrequent Bloom
The ultimate goal of cultivation is to witness the plant’s spectacular, fleeting flowering event. The first bloom usually occurs only after the corm has accumulated a sufficient energy reserve over many years. Under ideal conditions, mature plants may bloom every two to three years, but intervals of seven to fifteen years are not uncommon.
When ready, the plant sends up a towering inflorescence, consisting of a central, fleshy spike (the spadix) surrounded by a ribbed, petal-like structure (the spathe). The infamous odor is released over 24 to 48 hours to attract its natural pollinators: carrion beetles and flies. This putrid smell ensures reproductive success.
To intensify the odor and attract pollinators from a distance, the spadix generates its own heat, a process called thermogenesis, which helps vaporize the volatile chemical compounds. The size and brief duration of the bloom make it a celebrated horticultural event, providing a payoff for the years of specialized care and patience.