Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)

Corpse Flower is the largest and most unusual flower in the world. It’s found in botanical gardens that specialize in rare and unusual plants. The impressive and massive size makes it one of the rarest plants we have ever offered to Logee’s customers. Only the patient gardener will want to try this one, for it can take up to 7 years to bloom. It is estimated there are only 3-5 blooming plants in cultivation each year, worldwide. The plant’s foundation is an underground tuber, or corm, that supports a petiole with palmlike leaves. Each year, the petiole and leaves go dormant; it wilts and rots away. Below the soil surface, the corm rests for a month or two then sends up a new, larger petiole and leaves. When the corm reaches 40-50 pounds, it’s ready to bloom. It sends up a pod that swells and elongates for about a month. A long spadix emerges from the top of the pod. Finally the bloom opens in mid-afternoon usually to lots of festivities and celebration due to the rare nature of the flower. When blooming, the flower releases a carrion odor to attract pollinators. Corpse Flower will need to be repotted several times before it blooms. It’s best to wait until dormancy at the end of the year to repot. Then the potting soil is washed from the corm and it’s placed in a new, larger pot. If you’re a plant geek who loves a challenge with the opportunity of a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime outcome, you’ll want to try your luck growing this rare plant.